Italy faces rising 'cooling poverty' as heatwaves intensify

The Antoniano charity warns that extreme summer heat is creating a new form of social hardship in Italy, termed “cooling poverty.” Low‑income families are spending up to 8 % of their budget on cooling, and many forgo fans or air‑conditioners because of energy costs. The organization’s network of shelters reports a 21 % rise in assistance requests, heightened social isolation among the elderly and vulnerable, and a shortage of volunteers to meet demand.

At the same time, the heatwave is reshaping everyday language. New Italian terms such as “blocco a Omega” (a stagnant high‑pressure system) and “break termico” (a temporary interruption of extreme heat) have entered dictionaries, while “isola di calore” and “rifugio climatico” describe urban heat islands and public cooling spaces. Cities across Italy are expanding climate shelters – air‑conditioned museums, libraries and shaded green areas – to protect citizens during soaring temperatures that have also reached 46 °C in parts of the United States.

These developments highlight the growing intersection of climate change, public health and social welfare in Italy.