Not built for the heat: How do cities adapt to record temperatures?
Summary
It's not even Bastille Day yet, and France is already in the grip of its third heatwave of the season. Hospitals are under strain, wildfires are spreading, riverbeds are running dry, work and study are being disrupted—and there's even a shortage of ice. Many of you reacted strongly to our recent discussion on whether air conditioning is the answer. We'll briefly revisit that debate, but also look at the bigger picture: why is France still so unprepared for extreme heat?
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Last week the largest US grid came within two gigawatts of its all-time demand record, and the federal government issued its third emergency power order of the year, clearing the way to push large data centers onto backup generators. Heat was the trigger.
— VistaShares (@VistaSharesX) July 9, 2026
The standing pressure… pic.twitter.com/cG06QpnC4p