The 'City of Romance' Paris is boiling. This month, the mercury in Paris, France, surpassed 41 degrees Celsius. In response to an unprecedented heatwave since weather observation began, the French government issued a school closure order nationwide.
It's not just a story about Paris. In Greece, a tourist visiting ancient ruins collapsed and died from the heat. In Italy, a heat alert at a record level has been issued in major cities daily. The entire European continent is trapped in a massive 'heat dome.'
According to U.S. political media Politico on the 1st (local time), the World Health Organization (WHO) analyzed that due to the recent heatwave sweeping across Europe, there would be over 4,500 'excess deaths' (deaths exceeding the normal level) from the 30th of last month to the 3rd of this month.
France and Italy are home to wealthy and civilized developed countries. In these nations, thousands lose their lives to heat every year.
Experts describe this paradoxical situation as 'the tragedy of old cities.' Major European cities are dotted with historic buildings that are hundreds of years old. In many places, installing air conditioning units is illegal.
With many buildings holding historical value, it is difficult to install air conditioning in not only residences but also public institutions, train stations, and temples, as it would mar their appearance. Even when permission is somehow obtained, the old structure of the buildings often complicates installations. Additionally, labor costs are significant, leading to a very low installation rate.
Euronews reported that "the elderly, particularly vulnerable to heat, have no choice but to frequent public facilities like cooling centers operated by local governments."
The source of the painful heat that Paris is experiencing paradoxically lies in the heritage that has made Paris so beautiful. The dazzling look of Paris today is thanks to Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann's comprehensive renovation of the city during the time of Napoleon III in the 19th century. Major roads, numerous outdoor cafes, and the Palais Garnier building were all established during this period.
The gray zinc roofs covering these buildings have become a symbol unifying the Parisian landscape.
However, zinc roofs absorb the scorching heat of summer sunlight. According to the BBC, the indoor temperature in the upper floors of buildings in central Paris, constructed in the 19th century, can reach up to 50 degrees during midday in the summer.
The attic chambre de bonne, where maids of noble mansions once lived, transforms into a gigantic oven every summer. Currently, such rooms are mostly occupied by elderly individuals with reduced labor capacity, low-income individuals, students, and immigrants.
The BBC noted that "ultimately, disasters like heatwaves directly target the most vulnerable population in cities" and pointed out that "as heatwave inequality deepens, so do the damages."
In the summer of 2003, 15,000 people died in France due to the heat. It was the worst heatwave on record.
Upon analyzing the statistics of the deceased at that time, it turned out that the number of direct heatstroke patients was unexpectedly low. In contrast, a significantly larger number of those who were relatively healthy fell victim as their underlying conditions, such as heart and lung diseases, deteriorated, leading to death.
French media Canal reported that "Paris is increasing the nighttime opening hours of parks at the city level and adding misting stations that spray fog and green rest areas throughout the city," while also stating that "the physical structure and social awareness have lagged behind the pace of climate change, resulting in delayed responses."
Architecturally, Europe has little experience in swiftly responding to heatwave prevention. Western and Southern Europe, which has recently faced notable heatwave damage, historically has not been humid.
When constructing buildings, the focus was on insulation to block winter cold rather than cooling. The thick stone exterior walls were all devices meant to preserve indoor heat. Large windows that open sideways were positioned to maximize sunlight entering inside during winter when the sun is low.
As a result, officials have assessed that it is extremely difficult to penetrate structurally thick walls and to install air conditioning units while avoiding large windows.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), as of 2022, the air conditioning penetration rate in European households is less than 20%. This starkly contrasts with the United States (90%) and Korea (86%).
Experts collectively agree that alterations to building codes must be made to fundamentally change ventilation and cooling standards.
The method of covering building rooftops with plants or finishing roofs with reflective white paint is currently a popular approach in the construction industry to adapt to climate change.
The BBC, citing a British Meteorological Administration expert, warned that "if we settle for patchwork solutions, Europe could see tens of thousands die prematurely due to heatwaves in the future."