France’s environment minister, Agnes Pannier-Runacher, has rejected Marine Le Pen’s proposal to install air conditioners nationwide as a solution to combat the increasingly severe summer heatwaves. The minister argued that the widespread use of air conditioning could worsen urban heat by releasing hot air into the streets, contributing to a feedback loop of rising temperatures. This concern has been echoed by climate researchers, who warn that traditional air conditioning systems vent hot air outdoors, potentially raising urban temperatures by several degrees.
Le Pen’s National Rally party has pushed back against the criticism, with National Rally lawmaker Frederic Falcon stating that the goal is to install air conditioners as widely as possible, including in public institutions and private homes. However, France has historically seen limited adoption of air conditioning, due to concerns about high energy consumption, its association with bourgeois luxury, and misconceptions about poor air quality. The government has instead focused on alternative cooling strategies, such as planting trees and improving building insulation, particularly in public spaces and critical infrastructure.
As southern Europe grapples with extreme heat, France has closed schools and issued health alerts, underscoring the urgency of addressing the climate crisis. The environmental minister’s stance highlights the tension between immediate comfort and long-term climate adaptation, raising questions about the role of air conditioning in a warming world. Meanwhile, Le Pen’s political stance continues to reflect a controversial approach to climate policy, despite her recent legal troubles, including a suspended prison sentence for embezzlement and a five-year ban from holding office.