The air conditioning culture wars

A series of record-breaking heatwaves in Europe this summer has led to a surge in demand for air conditioning units. As Europeans search for a way to stay cool, attitudes and policies towards air conditioning have led to a heated political debate in France, which has baffled some Americans

Tristan explains to Sumi Somaskanda how air conditioning became part of the culture wars, and we ask Graihagh Jackson, the host of the BBC podcast The Climate Question, how bad AC actually is for the environment.

Producers: Sam Chantarasak and Valerio Esposito

Executive producers: China Collins and Bridget Harney

Mix: Travis Evans

Digital producer: Tom Bage

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Heating engineers work on installing an air conditioning unit in the home of a local resident in Mericourt, northern France on June 19, 2026. Credit: Francois Lo Presti/AFP via Getty Images.