Europeans favour air conditioning over emissions cuts, poll finds

A survey across six major European nations, including the UK, has found that more people favour encouraging the adoption of air conditioning over keeping carbon emissions down, according to The Guardian. The poll, conducted after four extreme heatwaves this summer, also found sizeable majorities who believe it should be easier to install air conditioning in homes.

The findings reflect a continent grappling with record temperatures and a growing reliance on cooling systems that strain electricity grids and undermine climate targets. In Italy, the trend is already visible: air conditioning use has driven a sharp rise in electricity bills, as reported by The Local Italy in its Monday roundup.

For Abruzzo, the survey's implications cut close to home. The region's mountainous interior has long been a refuge from summer heat, but warming temperatures are pushing even highland communities to consider cooling systems that were once unnecessary.