As extreme heat events become increasingly severe and frequent, cities around the world are grappling with how to protect vulnerable populations from rising temperatures. In Los Angeles, authorities have responded to recent heat waves by opening over a hundred cooling centers and deploying air-conditioned buses to serve residents without access to adequate cooling at home. These efforts underscore a growing recognition that for many, staying cool indoors has become a socioeconomic privilege rather than a given.
Similar challenges have surfaced in England and Wales, where a recent heat wave caused an estimated 440 deaths per day at its peak—far exceeding daily fatalities from road accidents. Despite this, heat remains largely treated as an exceptional rather than a recurring public health risk. The widening "air-con divide" separates those who can afford air conditioning units from those living in poorly insulated, uncooled housing. In Los Angeles County, legislation now requires landlords to keep rental properties coolable to a maximum of 82 degrees Fahrenheit, though smaller landlords are held to less stringent standards until 2032.
Europe has historically relied less on air conditioning, but recent heat events have spurred a rapid increase in adoption. Still, only about 20% of European homes currently have air conditioners, a figure expected to rise amid global trends projecting triple growth in air-conditioner usage by 2050. While air conditioning significantly reduces heat-related mortality—by an estimated 75%—it is not a standalone solution. Cities designed around heavy air conditioning dependency face challenges such as power grid overloads during heat waves, as seen in Southern California where over 10,000 residents lost electricity during a September 2024 heat event. Additionally, air conditioning systems powered by fossil fuels may inadvertently contribute to warming, exacerbating the underlying problem.
Examples from outside the wealthier West highlight alternative approaches. Ahmedabad, India, implemented South Asia’s first Heat Action Plan following a deadly 2010 heat wave. The plan includes early warning systems, whitewashed rooftops to reflect sunlight, shaded hydration points, and hospital preparedness, collectively saving thousands of lives annually at a fraction of the cost of widespread air conditioner installation. This model has since been adopted by multiple Indian cities and inspired Los Angeles County’s own Heat Action Plan introduced in early 2024.
In another innovative approach, Sarawak state in Malaysia leverages its primarily hydropower-based grid to attract data centers and AI campuses—sectors known for intensive cooling demands—demonstrating that energy-intensive cooling can run sustainably if clean infrastructure is prioritized from the outset.
Experts argue that cooling should be treated as essential public infrastructure akin to clean water, rather than a private commodity accessible mostly to wealthier households. This would require stronger enforcement of cooling standards in rental properties, incorporation of passive cooling and shading in schools and care facilities, and investment in clean energy grids to prevent cooling from worsening climate change.
The experience of cities in the Global South offers a roadmap for more equitable and sustainable heat protection. As extreme temperatures continue to rise worldwide, there is growing consensus that wealthy nations must move beyond short-term fixes and adopt inclusive, forward-looking strategies to safeguard vulnerable populations and build resilient urban environments.