France to battle prolonged heatwave again.

France braces for another intensive heatwave as Meteorologists expect scorching temperatures to return within the week. Meanwhile the country barely gain their grounds over the last one. France is currently experiencing a major prolonged heatwave with temperatures reaching highs between 30°C and 36°C

Concerns about the safety of School children in France is at its peak as only a 7% of French schools are equipped with Air conditioners. It is noted that temperatures in classrooms tend to be unbearable as thousands leave doors closed with excess death toll above 2000 within 6 days in June.

Prior to the heatwave, France has always believed breathing a conditioned air makes one sick. AC have been long viewed as Ugly, noisy, unnecessary and above all, American. Many however could not get a hold of an AC to help cushion the heat. “I was in shock, I got shoved in all directions and unfortunately couldn’t get an AC unit” a shopper told Le Parisien Newspaper

As AC becomes a beautiful alternative for the situation, Health Officials say the “AC resistance culture in France has soften as dozens of people line up at stores to purchase AC. This, they intend to give them an upper hand over the unbearable heatwave.

The approaching of the 2027 Presidential race automatically made Political voices the loudest seeking to equip Schools, Hospitals and Households with AC to safeguard lives.

Environmental activists on the other hand argue that the fight has been reduced to AC versus no AC syndrome. With much focus on the treatment rather than the cause.

For more French people, it is no longer an individual combat because no matter how much they try, with emphasis on schools and hospitals, it is imperative to combat the the symptoms of climate change.

Source: CNN
Author: Joyce Owusu