A strong heatwave has pushed temperatures above 40°C in parts of Europe. Many people are asking why most homes in countries like France, Italy, and Germany do not have air conditioning. In places like the United States, air conditioning is common, but in Europe, most houses rely on open windows, shutters, and thick walls to stay cool.

Most European homes were built long ago to keep people warm during cold winters. They have thick stone or brick walls and good insulation, which hold in heat during summer. This makes it difficult and expensive to add air conditioning systems to these old buildings.

Because of this, during a heatwave, people often feel very uncomfortable in their homes. Now, governments and city leaders are looking for new ways to help people stay cool as heatwaves become more common in Europe.