France Faces Political Divide Over Air Conditioning Amid Deadly Heatwave

France is experiencing intense heatwaves with temperatures nearing 40°C, sparking a heated political debate over the installation of air conditioning (AC) in public buildings. Marine Le Pen and her right-wing allies have called for a comprehensive AC rollout in schools, hospitals, retirement homes, and workplaces, highlighting the health risks, especially for vulnerable populations, and criticizing the political elite for their perceived hypocrisy. However, the government and left-wing parties oppose large-scale AC adoption, arguing it has a significant environmental footprint and advocating for alternative measures such as greenifying cities, improving building insulation, and promoting passive cooling techniques like window shutters to reduce indoor heat. Despite AC's potential to save lives during heatwaves, its widespread use remains limited in France compared to countries like the U.S., partly due to cultural resistance and concerns about climate impact. The debate reflects broader tensions between immediate public health needs and longer-term climate goals, with France's low-carbon nuclear power grid complicating the environmental arguments against AC. Meanwhile, the heatwave's severity has led to school closures, emergency medical treatments, and unprecedented temperature records, underscoring the urgency of effective cooling strategies.