The French Embassy in China has also weighed in: extreme heat won't last long, and air conditioning isn't a panacea.
Following the German Embassy, the French Embassy in China has now chimed in as well.
Recently, the French Embassy posted on a Chinese social media platform stating that debates over whether Europe should install air conditioning have intensified. However, the real issue isn't air conditioning—it's the worsening global climate crisis.
The French Embassy claims that unlike in China and the U.S., France experiences hot weather for only a few days each year. Criticizing France for not installing air conditioning is akin to criticizing tropical countries for lacking heating systems—clearly unreasonable.
It's undeniable that France experienced extreme heat this summer, but this is far from normal. The implication is clear: endure it for a few days—no need to install air conditioning just for these brief periods of discomfort.
The article further argues that air conditioning is not the best solution for extreme heat; on the contrary, it harms the environment and exacerbates global warming. Compared to other major industrialized nations, France’s achievements in emissions reduction are truly remarkable—and these facts are verifiable.
Therefore, the French Embassy calls on all countries to actively take action, practicing environmental multilateralism instead of relying on air conditioning to fight extreme heat. Humanity must learn to adapt to changing climates.
Compared to the German Embassy’s rather simplistic piece, the French Embassy comes off as more sophisticated—one moment subtly criticizing China for excessive air conditioning use and environmental harm, while simultaneously praising its own efforts.
These principles are sound—but might we ask the French Embassy to turn off the air conditioning in its Beijing office before lecturing others from such a lofty position?
Meanwhile, due to the surge in patients caused by extreme heat, hospitals across France are urgently purchasing air conditioners. A hospital official stated that the 30,000 units previously ordered by the government were insufficient, averaging less than three per hospital—forcing them to procure additional units independently.
Official data shows that during the hottest week of last month, excess mortality in France reached 2,025 people, the vast majority of whom died due to heat-related causes.
(Image: screenshot from the French Embassy’s post)
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870393353111552/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.