Record Heat: Lessons from Southern Europe for Northern Nations
As Europe grapples with unprecedented heatwaves, cities are feeling the burning sting of rising temperatures—from Berlin’s bustling streets to the historic avenues of Rome. The latest video report by DW News delves deep into the region’s current climate crisis, showcasing how various countries are responding and what lessons can be learned from one another.
Starting at the crux of the issue, the video reveals the stark reality of record-breaking heat, highlighting how the effects vary across the continent. While places like Spain have historically coped with high temperatures due to their climate, Northern European countries like Germany find themselves unprepared for such extremes. Correspondents Nicole Ris and Seema Gupta take viewers through a journey of adaptation and resilience, examining how each country is adjusting their strategies in the face of this new normal.
The footage captures the more proactive measures Spain has implemented, including safety warnings and innovative uniform designs aimed at keeping workers cool in sweltering conditions. This contrasts sharply with the delays in policy adaptations seen in Germany, where communities are beginning to recognize that the regular climate patterns they once knew are changing irreversibly. As temperatures continue to rise, the need for comprehensive strategies becomes paramount.
Italy stands out with its stringent enforcement of heat protection measures. The government is taking steps to safeguard vulnerable populations, setting a powerful example for its neighbors struggling to adapt. This resolute approach emphasizes the importance of proactive governance in protecting public health during extreme weather events.
As the video unfolds, the urgency for a unified European response becomes palpable. The challenges posed by climate change transcend borders, and collaboration is crucial. Countries that historically have different climates can capitalize on each other’s experiences. Learning from Spain’s adaptive strategies, Italy’s regulation practices, and Germany’s emerging policies could forge a path for a more cohesive and effective response.
More than just a report on heatwaves, this DW News feature serves as a call to action, urging European governments to implement more effective policies. The core message resonates: as Europe shifts into an era of intensified climate challenges, the need for solidarity and adaptation has never been more critical. The lessons learned from Southern Europe are not just applicable; they are essential for the survival and well-being of all Europeans in the face of a hotter future.
Watch the video by DW News
Video “Record heat: What Northern Europe can learn from Southern Europe | DW News” was uploaded on 06/28/2026 to Youtube Channel DW News






































Europe is so backwards. We need AC!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Coping and adapting to a warmer climate is necessary. But without climate protection and stopping fossil fuels coping and adapting won't work for long.
PATHETIC. Developed Western country.
So amazing how Europeans cannot get climate change out of anything they talk about. So sad that they are so brainwashed. We love cranking up our AC here in America
Unbearable,hope it's fade away !
I live in Prague and walked to the supermarket. Like 8-10 min walk and the sun was burning and it was harder to breathe. It was like 41C locally where I live.
AC is and was a necessity in the US, in West Europe and Central Europe AC was not needed before but because the climate changes AC becomes now necessary in West Europe and Central Europe, AC is now and for the future even more necessary in West Europe and Central Europe than in the US because it's much more humid (in West Europe and Central Europe)which doesn't allow the body to sweat enough for such temperatures
Not enough sweating = difficult for the body to cool down and lowering the body temperature
wet your underwear and keep it in the freezer folks!
What Northern Europe can learn from Southern Europe
. – .
Culture? Art? History? Empathy? What?
LOLOLOL. Air conditioning is the main cause of global warming. Net zero is the solution for mass human infestation. 😂
trust a german reporter to spend her time commenting on how people aren't doing something properly.
People from north of Europe now undertand what i feel every summer as spaniard in Málaga, South of Spain.
Hahahaha this is the karma
I should go there and teach how to survive this high temperatures.💅🏼💅🏼
It's because of people like Nichole that people die. Planting trees, making more green spaces, Putting on sunscreen 🧴 does absolutely nothing for heat exposure. You can go to work and sit in the air-conditioning that doesn't exist in 90% of buildings.
What I think is people like Nichole need to be correctly educated on the dangers of heat stress and heat related illness.
Was very comfortabel in my middle age house in the south of France; thick stone walls; small windows and shutters. Never went outside between noon and 16.00 house..
The WORLD needs to consider legislation for instilling more Clean energy initiatives. Yes. AC is not the most ideal, but its all we sort of got for these extreme temps, so then lets work on building ac units that use less energy and create more clean energy on a global front to try and run these cooling measures… Maybe this is too optimistic, idk
civic sence is gon …..
A standard air conditioner operating for an average of 500 hours a year consumes approximately 500-700 kWh of electricity. In my country's energy grid, this translates to approximately 300 kg of CO2 per year. The F-gases (R410A or R32) inside air conditioners have a very high global warming potential. Adding in an average annual leakage of 5% and end-of-life emissions, each air conditioner incurs approximately 200 kg of CO2 equivalent damage annually. A standard home air conditioner causes an average of 500 kg (0.5 tons) of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas emissions per year.
1.000.000 ton CO_2 (Refinery Fire) / 0.5 ton CO_2 (Clima/Year) = 2.000.000 Clima
The complete burning of a large oil refinery or natural gas plant creates environmental destruction equivalent to the climate change damage (greenhouse gas emissions) that approximately 2 million air conditioners would create continuously for a full year. During the war in Ukraine, dozens of oil refineries and natural gas plants burned down in both Ukraine and Russia; during the war with Iran, dozens burned down in Iran; and similarly, in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Israel. This is the result even without accounting for the carbon emissions created by the bombs and missiles that were dropped.
So, carbon emissions equivalent to approximately 1 billion air conditioners have been released into the environment. Therefore, when Germans and Northern European countries say, "We don't use air conditioners. Therefore, we Greens are saving the world from climate change," I just laugh it off.
Here in Toronto, Canada. We are getting our own heatwave this coming week.
40 Celsius is a piece of of cake. It was 43 in March 😊
WAKE UP! The United Nations came out publicly a couple of years ago and stated that Global Warming/Climate change is going to get worst by 2030, just 4 years from now and by 2050! A READ FLAG WARNING as well! Way too many humans are in DENIAL about this like a bunch of ostriches with their heads in the ground and AC's contribute to Global Warming/change per top leading scientists/environmentalists but they're working on that along with lawmakers! So THINK Globally, ACT locally and THINK GREEN! "There is NO Planet B"! "IF WE DESTROY THE ENVIRONMENT, WE WON'T HAVE A SOCIETY"…authentic quote per the late American Cultural Anthropologist Margaret Mead (1901 – 1978 ) Food for thought~
you guys can literally learn from a lot of countries living in both heat and cold.
It is called "Summer".
And it is a reoccuring annual phenomenon.
In Greece…families emerge around 7pm to dine. Babies/pets are only brought out that time or very early. No AC. Homes are designed with thick walls, small windows. And inside doors are designed when open …to create a lovely constant breeze. Plus gardens with huge shaded areas. So they cope very well. Athens is different cause it's a big city…so unbearable heat.
In Greece…families emerge around 7pm to dine. Babies/pets are only brought out that time or very early. No AC. Homes are designed with thick walls, small windows. And inside doors are designed when open …to create a lovely constant breeze. Plus gardens with huge shaded areas. So they cope very well. Athens is different cause it's a big city…so unbearable heat.
Another advise:
What people are doing wrong as well, is trying to dry their sweat with towels.
During dry heat waves (dry, not humid) do not use a towel. Do not be scared of being smelly because of sweat. Sweat is cooling superpower. Do not sabotage that advantage.
In Berlin , yesterday night was horrible, the house inside was hot so opening window would also bring heat inside , only cold water would help us to maintain body temperature 😅
ban all AC
Heating your home in the winter also releases co2. But eco-mentalists ok with that!
Pretty sure it's not hot in your tv studio 😛
Poland extreme hot😢
Europeans , should take a climate pledge not to buy Air conditioners.
Let's save the planet for our future generations, by sacrificing our comforts,
Focusing only on adaptation is surrendering to the billionaires who boiled our planet. They buy their way out while the vulnerable suffer. We need climate justice, not just AC units.