Heatwaves around the world are creating new political challenges as demand for air conditioning (AC) surges amid rising temperatures and overstretched power grids. In early July, a chaotic scene unfolded in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris, when shoppers clashed over the last portable AC units. Similarly, in parts of South Asia and the Middle East, protests have erupted over power outages during scorching conditions, highlighting growing tensions over access to cooling technologies.

The need for AC has become increasingly urgent as extreme heat records continue to break globally. Medical research indicates that heat is the deadliest form of extreme weather, responsible for nearly 489,000 deaths annually from 2000 to 2019. Air conditioning has proven effective in reducing heat-related mortality, with studies estimating that in the early 2020s, AC prevented approximately 190,000 deaths each year among older adults. In the United States, widespread household adoption of AC after 1960 coincided with a significant decline in heat-related deaths.

Despite its life-saving potential, the politics surrounding air conditioning vary widely between wealthy and developing nations. In richer countries, debates largely focus on environmental concerns and energy efficiency. For example, in France, right-wing politician Marine Le Pen has called for increased AC access in public buildings, while left-wing rival Jean-Luc Melenchon warns that expanded use could exacerbate climate change by increasing greenhouse gas emissions, which currently amount to around 4 percent of global totals from cooling and refrigeration. In the United States, political figures have clashed over AC use during heatwaves and policies aimed at managing electricity demand to prevent grid failures.

Europe faces a particularly pressing challenge. While it accounts for more than a third of global heat-related deaths, only about 23 percent of European households have air conditioning. The continent’s rapidly aging population and status as the fastest-warming region contribute to rising mortality rates linked to heat exposure.

In hot, low-income countries, the difficulties are more acute. Cooling technology, electricity, and grid infrastructure come at high costs that strain both households and governments. Although more than 80 percent of the global population regularly experiences temperatures warranting cooling, only around 40 percent have reliable access to AC. India has seen rapid increases in AC ownership, with tens of millions of units added recently and millions more projected in coming years, yet electricity supply remains fragile. Peak demand for cooling contributes significantly to grid stress, leading to frequent power cuts that disproportionately affect lower-income populations, who often rent AC units or incur debt to afford their use.

These power outages fuel public unrest, with communities in countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan protesting over electricity shortages and perceived inequities in distribution between wealthier consumers and industrial users. Power providers, many state-owned, face financial difficulties due to loss-making measures and spot market purchases required to meet surging demand during heatwaves. This cyclical strain limits necessary investments in infrastructure upgrades.

Experts warn that without substantial improvements in grid capacity and affordable cooling options, many developing countries risk falling behind economically and socially as temperatures rise. Heat stress is already reducing labor productivity globally, especially impacting agricultural workers in South Asia and West Africa. Educational disruptions linked to overheating classrooms also remain a concern in parts of Africa.

International efforts have begun to address these challenges. More than 70 countries have endorsed the Global Cooling Pledge, aiming to cut emissions from cooling and expand sustainable access. Programs such as “Beat the Heat” promote the integration of cooling solutions into climate adaptation plans. However, these initiatives often emphasize passive cooling measures like improved building insulation rather than direct subsidies or market interventions to increase AC adoption among poorer populations.

Financial barriers remain formidable. Closing the cooling access gap in emerging markets could require investments of between US$400 billion and US$800 billion, according to the International Finance Corporation. While some political voices criticize reliance on AC as a form of adaptation that neglects broader climate action, market dynamics suggest growing consumer demand is outpacing such debates. For instance, Chinese AC exports to the European Union surged 43 percent year-on-year this summer, highlighting widespread public eagerness for relief from heat despite political disagreements.

As global temperatures climb, the intersection of energy infrastructure, social equity, and climate policy will continue to shape access to air conditioning and the wider geopolitical landscape of cooling.