Economist Charles Dennery is advocating for a shift in France’s approach to dealing with increasingly frequent heatwaves, arguing that relying solely on passive building adaptations is insufficient. He contends that widespread access to air conditioning is now a necessity, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly, children, and lower-income households. Dennery criticizes the existing cultural resistance to air conditioning, fueled by some environmental discourse, suggesting it disproportionately harms those least able to cope with extreme heat. He believes the current approach risks exacerbating social inequalities as the effects of climate change intensify. Dennery’s argument centers on the urgency of protecting public health and ensuring equitable access to cooling solutions. He suggests that dismissing air conditioning outright is no longer a viable strategy in the face of rising temperatures and the growing threat of heat-related illnesses and deaths.