Record Heat Wave Scorches Europe, Reigniting Debate Over Air Conditioning and Climate Policy

The New Yorker—A record-breaking heat wave is gripping Europe, with scenes of intense heat documented across Paris and other major cities. The crisis has renewed debate over France's longstanding cultural resistance to air conditioning, with some commentators arguing the country must reconsider its stance as extreme heat grows more frequent. The political dimensions of the emergency are also drawing scrutiny, with analysts examining how European governments are managing — and sometimes mismanaging — the public health response to soaring temperatures.

• The New Yorker — New Yorker documents scenes from the Paris heat wave on the ground
• The Atlantic — Atlantic argues France should reconsider its cultural resistance to air conditioning
• New York Times — NYT examines political fault lines exposed by Europe's heat emergency
• Axios — Heat wave described as record-breaking across the continent