Paris and London homes buckle under record June heatwave

Western Europe is experiencing a severe heatwave, with Paris hitting a June record of 40.9 °C (105.6 °F) and Britain logging 36.7 °C in southwest England. Dozens of deaths, power disruptions, school closures and strained transport have been reported. The extreme temperatures expose the shortcomings of housing built to retain heat rather than reject it. Residents of tiny apartments, such as 21‑year‑old Ulysse Zachary in Paris, are forced to use damp clothes, fans and limited ventilation to stay cool. Analysis by the Mayor of London warns that up to one million homes could overheat, compromising health, energy consumption and productivity. Only about a quarter of European households have air‑conditioning, and expanding its use could increase grid strain and urban heat‑island effects. Experts advise external shading, better ventilation, reflective surfaces, urban greening and improved building design as more effective measures. French Minister Eleonore Caroit cautioned that providing air‑conditioning for every resident would worsen the problem.