Shoiab Mohmmad Bhat
“Climate change recognises no borders. Whether in Europe or India, every nation must now prepare for a future where extreme weather becomes increasingly frequent and increasingly costly.”
When we think about Europe, we think of a place with cold to moderate temperatures, a pleasant atmosphere, and people wearing beautiful warm sweaters and jackets to go outside. That’s why our Bollywood movies were shot in Europe, because of the pleasant and beautiful atmosphere; the air is different.
But today, in Europe, where heat is increasing, people form queues outside the shops to buy air conditioners, hardly the type of cooling items they were used to before. In this extreme heat condition, more than 1300 people lost their lives. According to experts, this heat wave increased from 20th June 2026, which is considered the hottest heat wave in history. The scenes coming from several European countries have shocked the world. Roads have softened, rivers have warmed, public transport has been affected, and hospitals have witnessed an increase in heat-related illnesses.
Most of the places in the world where 45 to 50 Degree Celcius is common, people are not worried as much. But in Europe, where temperatures reached around 40 to 42 degrees Celsius, people are worried a lot, and hundreds of people lost their lives.
The question is, here in India, where 40 to 50 Degree Celcius is common in the summers, why are people not worried as much as in Europe?
The second question is: Why in Europe do people worry so much?
The answer lies in the way Europe has developed over many decades. In Europe, the infrastructure is made to protect people from the cold rather than the heat. The inner heat of the house is trapped inside, which protects them from the freezing temperatures outside during winter. Today, when the heat is outside, their houses become even more heated, which is a major concern for them. So, no one wants to keep themselves inside their houses because the indoor temperature can become uncomfortable and, in some cases, even dangerous.
Second, in northern Europe, the days are longer in summer. During June and July, countries like Sweden, Norway, Britain, Finland, France, and Germany experience nearly 16 to 18 hours of sunlight. That is why their infrastructure, houses, buildings, offices, and other structures continue absorbing heat throughout the day. The prolonged exposure to sunlight causes buildings to warm up significantly, and in some places roads, railway tracks, and other infrastructure also begin to melt or suffer damage because they were originally designed for colder climates.
Now people are buying air conditioners and fans in huge numbers, standing in long queues outside electronic shops and stores. Until now, the demand for cooling appliances in many European countries remained relatively low because the climate rarely required them. However, the present heat wave has changed people’s priorities almost overnight.
As compared to the use of such devices, they are used less. In Japan and Australia, only around 20 per cent use AC, and Europe too has had comparatively lower air conditioner usage. In India, why only 20 per cent? Because most people cannot afford it, unlike in Europe. However, despite the lower percentage of households using air conditioners, Indians have adapted to living in high temperatures through generations. Traditional house designs, ceiling fans, coolers, shaded streets, loose cotton clothing, and changes in daily routine have helped people cope with the summer heat. Europeans, on the other hand, have had little need to develop such adaptations because extreme heat was historically uncommon.
According to available estimates, in India, around 1 crore 50 lakhs ACs were sold on average for residential and commercial purposes. In China, nearly 10 crore ACs were sold. This year in Europe, around 1 crore 60 lakhs ACs are expected to be sold. If the heat wave continues, this average may rise further because people have the purchasing power to buy cooling appliances quickly. This sudden increase in demand clearly shows how climate patterns are changing even in regions once known for pleasant weather.
However, scientists argue that heat waves are linked to the broader issues of climate change on the planet. The higher levels of greenhouse gases have raised the Earth’s temperature and therefore made heat waves longer and more intense. It is the opinion of climate experts that rare phenomena are beginning to become regular all around the world.
Moreover, one needs to note another global climate issue known as El Niño. It is an event whose history is traced to the sixteenth century. El Niño, which means “little boy” or “Christ Child,” was first observed in the Pacific coast of South America by fishermen who were noting the warmth of the water and low numbers of fish during certain years.
As United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “El Niño is not just knocking on the door. It risks blowing the house down, turning up heat, disrupting food and water systems, and hitting the vulnerable the hardest.”
El Niño occurs every two to seven years, alternating with its cooler sister phenomenon, La Niña. There is a usual flow of winds, called trade winds, that push warm ocean water from the surface westward into Asia in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. If the strength of these winds is reduced, there will be a shift in the warm water to the east side, making more heat rise in the atmosphere, limiting the cold upwelling in South America, and affecting global atmospheric circulation.
Consequently, wet and stormy weather can be expected in the southern United States and some areas of South America, which makes flooding more likely. The drought phenomenon has become common in South Asia and Australia, making wildfires more likely. At the same time, global temperatures are becoming higher.
The World Meteorological Organization has warned that stronger climate extremes are becoming more frequent. Scientists officially declared El Niño when sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean rose 0.5 Degree Celcius above average for several consecutive months, together with corresponding atmospheric changes.
The recent heat wave in Europe is therefore more than a seasonal event. It is a reminder that climate patterns are changing rapidly across the world. Places once known for cool summers are now facing record-breaking temperatures, while countries traditionally accustomed to heat are also experiencing more intense and prolonged summers. Every nation, whether developed or developing, must prepare its infrastructure, healthcare systems, disaster response mechanisms, and climate policies for a future where extreme weather events may become increasingly common. Climate change is no longer a warning about tomorrow; it is a reality that the world is witnessing today.
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