Air conditioning push favored over emissions cuts in six European nations, survey finds
Poll also finds sizeable majorities who believe it should be easier to install air con in homes
TL;DR
- More people in six European nations favor encouraging air conditioning over keeping carbon emissions down.
- Recent extreme heatwaves have led to concerns about household health and difficulties in keeping homes cool.
- Large majorities support air conditioning being standard in new homes, easier installation, and government subsidies.
- In most surveyed countries, more people prioritized encouraging air conditioning to reduce heatwave harms over lowering CO2 emissions.
- Cost is the main obstacle preventing people from installing air conditioning, not climate impact concerns.
- Despite support for air conditioning, a significant portion believes problems associated with heatwaves could be solved without it.
- Those with air conditioning reported being able to keep internal temperatures comfortable during heatwaves, unlike those without.
- Air conditioning ownership is much lower in Europe compared to the US.