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BBC News 20 Jul 2026 45 here now

Why Europe is still unsure on air conditioning despite record heatwaves | The Global Story

Watch Why Europe is still unsure on air conditioning despite record heatwaves | The Global Story, published by BBC News, on Daily Junction Play.

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It's becoming the norm for Europe to debate things that is common sense everywhere else
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@IzzyRumi From YouTube ↗ 19 Jul 2026 176
The thought of not having AC in hospitals & nursing homes is shocking to me.
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@jayr.617 From YouTube ↗ 18 Jul 2026 71
Can't imagine being sick in an European hospital and suffering in the heat in top of being sick.
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I live in London. There were a few extremely hot days in July 2019 I barely survived. 🥵

I've been enjoying my air-conditioner since 2020. 🥰

Feel free to hate me. 🤷🏻♀️🤣
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American here. I'd like to explain why AC culture is different here in the states. Our weather is DIFFERENT here, and fluctuates from heavy, heavy, suffocating humidity, temps upwards of chronic 100 degrees(deep south) to dry arrid desert air up to 115 degrees(western states). Its ALWAYS been that way, not climate change related. Our country spans 3 time zones, with vastly different terrains, flat to mountains, two different coasts, inland seas, and a Gulf. Vastly different weather systems across those spans.

Before the post war building boom, most urban American houses were brick/stone exteriors, with skinny interior plaster walls and high ceilings where hot air was trapped.

After WWII, most homes were timber built with 4" hollow timber interior walls, plaster board on both sides. Within those hollow interior walls is where ductwork for forced air systems are placed, providing airflow through every room, with floor/ceiling air supply/air returns. Those hollow walls also allow air to flow within, preventing condensation and mold. Also our up-down windows initially made window AC units readily available to everyone.Those up down windows allowed for holding window AC units in pla
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Funny that AC is framed as an addiction. It's like claiming shelter that keeps rain/snow out is an addiction to not be wet/cold...
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In the US, we set up warming & cooling shelters for those who don't have access to either.
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To have a population die in this way of heat exposure in 2026 is barbaric.
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I’m living in Paris and I’m getting an AC. I don’t care what the idiotic politicians are debating
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If a family had the finances to keep their kids warm in an extreme winter and didn’t do it, we should argue it’s neglect and abuse, yet in the summer the argument seems to not apply for some reason
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We are not addicted, we just went to enjoy the summers at home, being able to sleep at night, and live comfortably. It's called common sense. The people perish from lack of common sense.
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it's not culture to have AC, its SURVIVAL
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Australian here. Listening to the debates over air conditioning is absolutely wild! Life without air conditioning in extreme heat is a danger to a persons health. Solar panels, battery power, ceiling fans, misting fans outdoors, pool, river nearby. Clever building and garden design can all help with cooling down houses/ buildings/ outdoor spaces. Australia does it well. My house was designed and built to be warmer in winter and cooler in summer dependant on the position of the Sun. Makes a huge difference
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It is interesting that this issue is being reported from an air-conditioned studio.
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Everyone who is against air conditioning should be the first to throw their refrigerators out.
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I'm Australian and I don't like how this debate is often framed as no air con vs air con at full blast all day every day. You can set your air con to like 25C and not overuse it... I grew up in a house that had an evaporative cooling system and it was amazing and better than air con honestly. But it only works in dry climates, not in high humidity.
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@gorgu08 From YouTube ↗ 14 Jul 2026 214
Born in UK moved to Australia in 2001, life without aircon is no life at all
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As long as data centres exist and are still being built don’t even THINK of making someone feel guilty for installing A/C.
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German here, and you bet your ass that I‘m getting AC this winter when prices are lower and availability is higher, so I have it next summer.
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Put a roof up so the rain does not wet you. Put the windows up so the wind does not blow in. Heating so you do not freeze in the winter. But cooling? Noooo...