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It's because Europe has managed for the last, what, 30,000 years without AC even around the Med when "normal" temperatures reach 40C under the Sun in summer. W

It's because Europe has managed for the last, what, 30,000 years without AC even around the Med when "normal" temperatures reach 40C under the Sun in summer. When AC appeared it was a luxury that became affordable so people could do "like Americans". Now, serious heatwaves are become usual so this may change. But on the other hand, adequate architecture and practices may help, too. Even traditional ones vs "modern" overuse of glass, for example.

ranger_danger 1y ago
> It's because Why do you think it's "because" of this? Humans survived without computers for that long too... but I don't see anyone yelling to abolish them.
- mytailorisrich 1y ago
  Because I am from Southern Europe so I do know that AC was inexistant in homes and even cars when I was growing up, and AC in homes appeared, not because they became needed, but because it was "cool", so to speak, people came to be able to afford it, and it spread from abroad. On top of that now AC also clashes with general policies in Europe to cut power use, and EVs take priority. Especially on the left AC is seen as very not green.
  - spwa4 1y ago
    Actually even the Roman empire had AC. Of course, not electrical, but they definitely designed buildings to naturally develop airflow in high temperatures. Basic systems were in place even in slave housing, where they used the water supply to cool things down (water flowed constantly 24/7/365 through toilets, and before getting to the toilet, cooled things down) There were even quite extreme air conditioning designs for the wealthy who had water flow through the walls and floors of entire buildings, even pumped systems that automatically switched from using heated water to cooled water depending on inside temperature. Long tunnels on higher floors with water cooling that got air from specific places to flow into rooms in villas. And, of course, the systems in Rome's palaces are extreme. So if what you're saying is true, without even passive cooling, your housing is worse than even the standards for Roman slaves.
    - mytailorisrich 1y ago
      Yes of course, traditional homes have thick walls and good air flow, and shutters (what I alluded to in my original comment). Obviously that is not what "AC" is...
      - spwa4 1y ago
        Using running water to cool down buildings definitely is AC.
kyriakos 1y ago
Living in the Med (Cyprus), I remember having ac all my life. I think the more heat waves become common the more air-conditioning will. It's just that it hasn't been necessary in central Europe until now.

ranger_danger 1y ago

> It's because Why do you think it's "because" of this? Humans survived without computers for that long too... but I don't see anyone yelling to abolish them.

mytailorisrich 1y ago
Because I am from Southern Europe so I do know that AC was inexistant in homes and even cars when I was growing up, and AC in homes appeared, not because they became needed, but because it was "cool", so to speak, people came to be able to afford it, and it spread from abroad. On top of that now AC also clashes with general policies in Europe to cut power use, and EVs take priority. Especially on the left AC is seen as very not green.
- spwa4 1y ago
  Actually even the Roman empire had AC. Of course, not electrical, but they definitely designed buildings to naturally develop airflow in high temperatures. Basic systems were in place even in slave housing, where they used the water supply to cool things down (water flowed constantly 24/7/365 through toilets, and before getting to the toilet, cooled things down) There were even quite extreme air conditioning designs for the wealthy who had water flow through the walls and floors of entire buildings, even pumped systems that automatically switched from using heated water to cooled water depending on inside temperature. Long tunnels on higher floors with water cooling that got air from specific places to flow into rooms in villas. And, of course, the systems in Rome's palaces are extreme. So if what you're saying is true, without even passive cooling, your housing is worse than even the standards for Roman slaves.
  - mytailorisrich 1y ago
    Yes of course, traditional homes have thick walls and good air flow, and shutters (what I alluded to in my original comment). Obviously that is not what "AC" is...
    - spwa4 1y ago
      Using running water to cool down buildings definitely is AC.

kyriakos 1y ago

Living in the Med (Cyprus), I remember having ac all my life. I think the more heat waves become common the more air-conditioning will. It's just that it hasn't been necessary in central Europe until now.