Europe's Low Air Conditioning Adoption Linked to High Heat Mortality (maartenboudry.substack.com)

• Europe has highest heat mortality rate despite fewer hot days.
• Only 20% of homes have AC; US and Japan exceed 90%.
• Cultural and regulatory barriers prevent AC adoption, costing lives.

"Europe has the highest per capita heat death rate in the world, despite fewer extreme heat days. Only about 20% of European homes have air conditioning, versus 90% in the US and Japan. Research shows air conditioning adoption explains the 75% decline in US heat mortality over the 20th century. European regulations and cultural attitudes discouraging AC contribute to thousands of preventable deaths annually. Cities like Ghent officially advise against using air conditioners, and countries like Switzerland require special permits for installation."