Published on: 2026-07-09
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
In recent days, Europe has faced a serious heat wave: in many countries, temperature records have been consecutively broken, with the thermometer exceeding 40 degrees in some regions. Official sources in France reported that over 1,000 cases of excess mortality were recorded in just three days—from June 24 to 26—with the overwhelming majority of the deceased being people over 65 years old.
This incident is not only a weather phenomenon but also revealed deeply rooted issues at the level of national governance.
Last summer was cool in Europe, and architectural solutions and social service policies were based on that. Only about 20% of European households are equipped with air conditioners, and in Germany – just 3%. However, with global warming, hot weather is becoming more frequent, and previous habits clearly no longer match current realities.
However, the installation of air conditioners in Europe faces many difficulties: restrictions related to the condition of buildings, complex approval procedures, high costs of purchase, installation, and electricity – all of which force many families to abandon this idea and put up with the heat.
Furthermore, the long-standing mild and favorable climate, as well as a one-sided policy that prioritizes ecology, have led to authorities having no action plans for extreme heat and showing little activity regarding the promotion of household air conditioners. The improvement of relevant regulations and the optimization of power grids are postponed indefinitely.
When extreme heat becomes the new norm, social institutions and approaches must adapt accordingly. If new risks continue to be approached with old standards, the cost will ultimately fall on vulnerable groups such as the elderly, single individuals, and low-income populations.
This is the essence of the problem: high temperature is undoubtedly a natural disaster, but how severe the damage will be depends on whether the social system is prepared for it, whether the authorities act promptly, and whether the protection of human life is put first.
In recent years, some forces in Europe have invested huge amounts in environmental initiatives, but in actual governance they act slowly, sometimes even detached from reality.
If the environmental agenda does not take into account the urgent needs of people, it reveals its indifference at the moment of crisis. When heat waves recur year after year, and the political system remains unadjusted, it is no longer a “lack of time” but a serious problem with value orientation.
A truly mature system will not create a contradiction between “environmental protection” and “human survival” and will not shift social responsibility onto individuals.
“People come first” is not an empty slogan, but a starting point in the formation of institutions, a principle for adjusting policy, and the lower limit of government actions. Is the policy focused on the individual? This is a question that every country must answer for itself.
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