Let's forget for a moment the flames of fascism flicking at the feet of France's future and address a real hot-button issue: the use of AC at the upcoming Olympic Games. There has been a burning debate since it was announced that the Olympic village would not use air conditioning, but would instead be designed with a geothermal cooling system using underground water. The buildings are guaranteed to be at least 11 degrees cooler than outside.
Eleven degrees? Not nearly enough for the U.S. and other wealthy nations, concerned about the athletes' ability to get a good night's sleep. A backlash arose and many of these countries announced that they would just bring their own air conditioners with them. This, however, upset poorer countries who could not afford to bring their own AC. Their athletes would be at a tremendous disadvantage. Seems legit.
According to Sportstar, the mayor of Paris explained “I have a lot of respect for the comfort of athletes, but I think a lot more about the survival of humanity.” Silly woman. Does she know nothing of Americans? An attempt to be eco-friendly that requires personal sacrifice? We don't do that. Our individualist culture tells us that if we can afford AC, we should have it. We justify it by pretending the evidence about man-made global warming isn't unequivocal. (It is.)
Due to pressure from both rich and poor nations, Paris finally caved and ordered 2500 AC units. I admire France for trying. They have long been leaders in environmental efforts. The Paris Games still aim to produce less than half of the carbon emissions than previous games. They have repurposed venues instead of building new ones, used low-carbon building materials, and reduced meat on the menus at various venues. I assume there will also be complaints about the lack of burgers.
A Southerner's Struggle with Comfort and Climate
I love air conditioning. In that way, I am truly and deeply American. As a Southerner, AC is a given, even though my ancestors survived without it. We seem to have a silent rule that the hotter it is outside, the colder it should be inside. Over the years, I warned arriving international students that while it would be boiling outside, they would probably want a jacket or sweater indoors. It was hard for them to understand the desire to work in an office set at the same temp as a meat locker.
The irony of course is that air conditioning contributes to global warming. A recent report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory explains that managing humidity with air conditioners contributes more to climate change than controlling temperature does. The cooler and more comfortable we keep ourselves, the hotter the world gets. I do care about the survival of humanity; however, I also hate the heat.
I took students to Bordeaux in the summers of 2022 and 2023. There was no AC in our hotel, at the university, or anywhere else (except our secret place). The first year we experienced a historic heat wave with temperatures rising to 108 degrees Fahrenheit. It was rough. As I always institute a 'no whining' rule on study abroad programs, I had to keep my whining on the inside. "We're learning that we can do hard things!" I encouraged while secretly fearing death by heat stroke.
The Secret Place
Our only respite came when we are able to sneak away from the students and visit our secret place: le Bar à Vin. Located on the ground floor of Bordeaux's flatiron building, this wine bar offers a selection of thirty excellent wines by the glass at ridiculously low prices. Thierry and Luc took us there early during the two-week program, buying us several glasses of Crémant: sparkling wine from France made in the style of champagne that doesn't come from the Champagne region. We were hooked.
My colleagues Laura and Owen and I made an immediate habit of meeting at The Secret Place whenever the students were occupied and our presence wasn't required. The chairs were comfy, the sommeliers pleasant and instructive. The wines are even served in the 'right kind of glass' for each wine, as if I would know the difference. Le Bar à Vin even offers local delicacies to snack on: cheeses, meats, and chocolates.
But I haven't even gotten to the best part: the AC was downright frigid. The place is popular with tourists, seeking to learn more about the region's vinous offerings, and they've created the perfect ambiance for Americans. Entering the cool interior during the heat wave was like taking a step out of Hell into a glorious celestial icebox. Oh, how I miss those times of wine, cheese, icy AC, and uncensored conversation.
But Seriously
As I write this, half of the US is suffering from a heat wave. Wildfires are raging in California. It reached 111 in Vegas today and 127 in Death Valley yesterday. It's predicted that next week could bring the hottest day ever recorded on Earth. Still, we can't escape the fact that cooling ourselves now is making us hotter in the long run. According to The Washington Post, AC "generates about 4 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, twice as much as the entire aviation industry."
I'm not suggesting we give up AC; that would be crazy. But maybe we could all bump up the thermostat by a degree or two? I visited my mom yesterday and instead of complaining about being hot, I tried to be okay with the 77 degree temperature. Faint perspiration blossomed on my brow; my arms and legs felt damp. I must be glowing like a true Southern Belle, I thought. But you know, I think I could get used to it.
A lot of us think that the simple changes we can make won't make a difference, but collectively they will. The US Department of Energy recommends keeping the temperature set at 78 degrees Fahrenheit when home during the day. I don't know anyone (other than my mother) who does that, but if you're wearing a hoodie inside while eggs are frying on sidewalks outside, you might have a problem.
Remember when the phrase Winter is Coming was Game of Throne's ominous and terrifying prophecy? Now it seems like a wistful but unreliable promise. A little vacay beyond the wall doesn't seem so bad at the moment. We haven't seen a decent snowfall in years where I live. I can't wait for summer to end. I am Team Snow Miser all the way! (But that's because I live in the South.)
For now, let's give the Olympic athletes all the AC they need. Then let us all take a few tiny steps to keep the planet from bursting into flames. Maybe buy a few products that don't come in plastic jugs or actually remember to take that reusable shopping bag into the store. Drink tap water instead of bottled water. Try a Meatless Monday. Plant something or visit the local farmer's market. Buy your clothing at thrift stores. And just maybe, bump up that AC temp a degree or two.
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