r/technology • u/Logical_Welder3467 • Jun 26 '26

Society The American mind cannot comprehend Europe's AC aversion

https://www.businessinsider.com/europe-air-conditioning-ac-heatwave-debate-2026-6
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u/iamapizza Jun 26 '26

I was in southern Spain in March a few years ago, it was 27c and I was sweating. I asked about the AC in my room not working, the front desk lady helpfully explained that they keep the AC off until summer when it's hot. We were looking at each other like freaks. I then asked if I could have a fan and she was shocked.

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u/Fabulous_Ninja119 Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26

I had a similar experience in Germany.

Honestly this is truly the one and maybe only thing I can think of where it feels like Europe as a whole is living in the stone ages. I can't understand it. It makes far too much fucking sense to use AC when it's fucking 90-100 degrees outside

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u/statistnr1 Jun 26 '26

It being this hot is a new thing.
And it will stay new for another 50 or so years.

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u/hammertime2009 Jun 26 '26

Another 50 years until what? We’re all dead? ☠️

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u/God_Dammit_Dave Jun 26 '26

50 years until Europe melts, the seas rise, and we all take a refreshing swim.

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u/SkivvySkidmarks Jun 26 '26

Don't worry. The collapse of the Atlantic ocean currents will mean that Europe will be cooler. Still flooded, but cooler.

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u/Korashy Jun 26 '26

Bearish on AC futures, all in on dutchmen. Got it.

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u/Omega59er Jun 26 '26

Yeah the UK is actually a weird case because climate change is slowing the AMOC right now and baking western Europe, but when the AMOC fully shuts down the UK will ice over and have a climate close to Greenland is today.

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u/mist_kaefer Jun 26 '26

Natural AC, all right!

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u/ForrestGrump87 Jun 26 '26

I ll take it 😂😂

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u/pwbnyc Jun 27 '26

Yup, from the fires of hell to a mini ice age in a single generation.

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u/EvoEpitaph Jun 26 '26

In warm ocean water filled with vibrio bacteria

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u/MildlyMixedUpOedipus Jun 26 '26

And hopefully evolve into mer-people!

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u/Korashy Jun 26 '26

Not if the dutch have anything to say about it.

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u/Big_Iron_Cowboy Jun 26 '26

They’ve been saying that for 50 years

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u/Moka4u Jun 26 '26

And they've been melting for 50 years

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u/fusiformgyrus Jun 26 '26

They kinda have been correct my guy. You don’t realize it because the AC is on.

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u/Yearning_crescent Jun 26 '26

Oh the ocean currents are collapsing, so while no one knows when, europe will plunge into another ice age, sorta literally falling itno the deepest layer of hell akin to dantes inferno

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u/Beginning-Pop3127 Jun 26 '26

It would be very Divine comedy if Europe heavily invested in AC only to get colder while the rest of us burn

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u/YoIronFistBro Jun 26 '26

The AMOC is far from the only reason Europe doesn't have the same climate as central and eastern Canada.

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u/TheElderGodsSmile Jun 26 '26

At this rate? Yes

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u/ilski Jun 26 '26

If we arę all dead in 50. We will be AC or not.

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u/MtogdenJ Jun 26 '26

Until the collapse of the AMOC.

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u/Recent-Mousse6423 Jun 26 '26

Actual answer is that we expect that the AMOC will collapse in the next 50 years which will cause Europe to cool (on average) to temp ranges closer to the temps experienced at the same North American latitudes. For instance, France will have a climate similar to Maine or Quebec post AMOC. Scotland will have a climate similar to Newfoundland or Southern Greenland. Etc.

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u/sifuyee Jun 26 '26

The collapse of the Gulf Steam might bring some relief before then. I'm sure there are other climate change related impacts on both sides of the ledger as well.

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u/Tamaloaxaqueno Jun 27 '26

There will be about 2B fewer people on the planet

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u/aykcak Jun 26 '26

How old are you? 50 is a long time (and they were low balling that estimation anyway) who wants to live forever?