Summer AC after winter heating leaves millions unable to pay bills

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🗞️ Driving the news: Millions of Europeans face year-round energy poverty, with homes ill-equipped to handle extreme heat during summer, exacerbating the struggle to stay cool as heatwaves intensify
• Poor insulation, lack of ventilation, and limited air conditioning options leave many vulnerable to the growing threat of extreme temperatures

🔭 The context: Europe is warming faster than any other continent, with experts predicting a tenfold increase in those exposed to extreme heat by 2100
• This "summer energy poverty" is more challenging to address than winter energy poverty, particularly in urban areas where heat lingers overnight, making it difficult to cool homes

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: As climate change drives more extreme weather, vulnerable populations face increased health risks, including heat exhaustion and stress
• Addressing energy poverty through better building design, urban planning, and social policies is crucial to reducing reliance on energy-intensive cooling solutions and cutting emissions

⏭️ What's next: The Build Better Lives movement advocates for affordable solutions like better insulation and urban greening to reduce the need for air conditioning
• Governments must prioritize the most vulnerable, using EU funds to renovate homes and adapt cities to handle both scorching and freezing temperatures

💬 One quote: "Energy poverty is becoming a year-round issue for many, our homes and cities need to be adapted to deal with both freezing and scorching temperatures," says Mónica Vidal, co-founder of the Build Better Lives movement

📈 One stat: Up to 19% of European households struggle to keep cool in summer, with many relying on costly and inefficient methods to cope with rising temperatures

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