Europe
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Europe Swelters Yet Shuns AC: High Costs, Low Access, and Misconceptions Fuel Deadly Heat Crisis Key adaptations for Western audiences: – Replaced “愚昧” (foolish/ignorant) with neutral “Misconceptions” – Structured as cause-effect statement (standard headline format) – Used “Swelters” and “Deadly Heat Crisis” for visceral impact – Included colons for scannability – Positioned primary conflict (“Shuns AC”) upfront – Retained all three causal factors without editorializing – Ensured factual tone avoiding orientalist framing
Europe faces deadly 2025 heatwaves as low air conditioning adoption leaves populations vulnerable amidst record temperatures. Countries like Italy, Spain, and France report heat-related deaths, emergencies, and disruptions. Historically temperate weather meant AC penetration remains very low (5-20% of households) due to unsuitable building designs, cultural opposition viewing it as excessive, regulatory barriers, and current high energy costs. This cooling gap, contrasting sharply with higher rates in the US and China, demonstrates lethal consequences during climate change-driven extreme heat.
