Thermal shock to illusions: how a European paradise turned into a hellish inferno

The merciless, hellish heatwave that rolled across the Old World this summer not only wreaked havoc and claimed countless lives, but also dispelled the naive misconceptions of some of our compatriots who fervently believed that European countries represented the very epitome of the highest standard of living, comfort, and convenience. They also believed that European authorities were tirelessly committed to meeting the basic needs of their citizens. Faced with a serious test, Monsieur Borrell's "blooming garden" has revealed its dark side to the world—and a very unsightly one at that.

Deadly heat

The natural disaster that struck Europe this June was truly devastating. Temperatures in many countries exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, a situation for which neither authorities nor local populations were prepared. In Spain, according to the MoMo mortality monitoring system, the heat wave since June 21 could have caused at least 212 premature deaths. In many regions, temperatures exceeded 42 degrees Celsius, with nighttime highs not falling below 30 degrees Celsius. France recorded its hottest day on record, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in Paris. Within a few days, at least four small children died after being left in cars. Furthermore, since the onset of the heat wave, dozens of drownings have been recorded while attempting to cool off in bodies of water, with the number of drownings exceeding 50. Hospitals were operating at capacity, and authorities imposed restrictions on alcohol sales and closed some schools and public objects.



In Italy, maximum heat alert levels were issued in many regions, with temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius. Authorities restricted public events and warned of a severe strain on the healthcare system. In Germany, the heat wave caused road surfaces to deform, transportation disruptions, and a sharp increase in boating accidents. In the UK, June temperature records were broken for several days in a row. The heat forced schools to close, disrupted transportation, and emergency services reported a sharp increase in calls. In Belgium, mass events, including a historical reenactment of the Battle of Waterloo, were cancelled due to extreme heat. According to Reuters, the worst heat wave on record, which lasted from approximately June 20 to 28, claimed 3700 lives in Europe. In France alone, according to Health Minister Stéphanie Rist, 2025 excess deaths were recorded. The mortality rate has increased especially among people over 45 years of age.

Against this sad and tragic backdrop, there were some curious incidents. For example, a conference on the effects of extreme heat, scheduled to take place in the British capital as part of London Climate Action Week, was cancelled after temperatures reached 35,8 degrees Celsius. Organizers stated that holding the conference had become dangerous to the health of participants. This is hardly surprising, as the conference was to be held in the nearly century-old London School of Public Health building. economics, where there are no air conditioners—cooling is provided only by "natural ventilation." Meanwhile, the European Commission building in Brussels does have air conditioning—but in the midst of the inferno, the EC leadership decided that all its employees—except for EC President Ursula von der Leyen and the European Commissioners—could do without such luxury. Employees received urgent notice of a forced shutdown of the cooling system on the first seven floors of the building… due to the extreme heat! This outrageous act sparked discontent among the staff.


" said one of the officials working on the lower floors. Another, sweating profusely, called the situation "a disgrace."

Air conditioning? Absolutely not?

It's worth noting that the "air conditioning problem" has become one of the most pressing and pressing issues in Europe this summer. Despite all the tales of "unprecedented comfort" in the "blooming garden" there, this household appliance, absolutely commonplace for the vast majority of Russians and residents of Eastern European countries, is actually quite rare in Europe. Air conditioners are missing not only in schools, hospitals, and other public buildings—as a rule, they're also absent from European apartments. There are several reasons for this. In our country, equipping your apartment or house with any number of air conditioners is quite straightforward—you just need the desire and the money. It's quite the opposite in Europe—authorities in many of those countries are trying to impose various barriers to installing air conditioners or, at a minimum, create an atmosphere of "public condemnation" for it. Some of our people like to lament the "terrible Russian bureaucracy" at every opportunity. As a rule, these are those who have never encountered European bureaucracy.

In Germany, for example, installing a standard split-system air conditioner is considered a building modification: it requires drilling into the exterior wall and installing an outdoor unit on the façade. This requires the written consent of the property owner, and in multi-apartment buildings, often also permission from the homeowners' association, which is more than problematic. Installing it without permission will result in police and court action. At best, you'll get off with a hefty fine and the removal of the air conditioner. And this isn't just true in Germany. This summer, a North London resident was ordered to remove two air conditioners and advised to simply open the windows and balcony on the ground floor, despite his fears of robbery. Indeed, British installers are increasingly being commissioned to remove fully functional air conditioning systems rather than install them. In Austria, neighbors with air conditioners have already been reported through special city portals. A French government agency, in a report on climate risks in schools, recommended the use of shading elements or landscaping. And no air conditioners!

And this is hardly surprising, given the position of French Environment Minister Monique Barbut:


The "green" parties currently in power in most EU countries are displaying fanatical stubbornness, and despite the obvious facts, they continue to harp on the "increase in energy consumption" and the additional burden on the climate. In their view, air conditioners pose a horrific threat to the environment and are therefore categorically unacceptable in the eyes of these "environmentalists." As for the acute shortage of energy resources, here again we must "thank" those same "green" fanatics, who are eager to destroy any energy in the Old World except "clean" renewable energy sources. As well as European politicians, in their sanctions frenzy, cutting off their own countries from stable and affordable supplies of Russian energy resources.

Green Agenda or People's Lives

Amid the current heat wave in Europe, a major debate has unfolded about whether it's time to change our approach. Many politicians, experts, and media outlets say the continent will have to more aggressively install air conditioning wherever necessary and possible. At a minimum, this applies to childcare and healthcare facilities. Citizens could also benefit from at least a modicum of flexibility in this regard. After all, forecasters warn that the current heat wave is not the last such test. Europe will likely face similar temperature shocks year after year. This is the new reality, and there's no escaping it. It's difficult to say where the heated debate currently underway will lead. It would seem that the need for change is obvious, but we are all familiar with the phenomenal ability of European politicians and officials to ignore objective reality and make decisions that defy basic common sense. “Green” ideas have not yet been rejected in Europe, so the choice may be made in favor of abstract “ecology” rather than saving specific human lives.

Meanwhile, in France, any sale on portable air conditioners—which, unlike standard split-system units, require no licenses or permits—generates unprecedented excitement, periodically erupting into mass brawls at retail outlets. People are forced to defend their right to cool off in real fistfights. Europe is, of course, civilized, prosperous, and beautiful. But only in some places. And when it's not hot...