Core Insights - The World Meteorological Organization and other agencies have issued warnings about extreme heat, urging countries to enhance early warning systems, develop public health response plans, and improve inter-agency collaboration to address escalating climate risks [1][2] Group 1: Extreme Heat Events - In 2025, global temperatures are expected to break records, with July being the third hottest month on record [1] - Turkey recorded a maximum temperature of 50.5 degrees Celsius, while Sweden and Finland experienced prolonged temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius [1] - Japan recorded a new high of 41.8 degrees Celsius in August, with parts of Pakistan exceeding 42 degrees Celsius and some areas surpassing 45 degrees Celsius [1] Group 2: Impact of Extreme Heat - The ongoing high temperatures have led to severe wildfires, with Canada experiencing its worst wildfire season on record, burning over 6.6 million hectares as of August 3 [1] - Smoke from hundreds of fire points has deteriorated air quality in multiple provinces in Canada and northern U.S. states, even reaching Europe [1] - Countries like Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus have also faced wildfires resulting in casualties and mass evacuations [1] Group 3: Health Risks and Projections - Extreme heat is referred to as a "silent killer," posing long-term threats such as health risks, power outages, and worsening air quality [2] - An estimated 489,000 deaths annually from 2000 to 2019 were linked to heat-related causes, with 45% occurring in Asia and 36% in Europe [2] - Implementing heat health warning systems in 57 countries could potentially save nearly 100,000 lives each year [2]

Group 1: Extreme Heat Events - The summer of 2023 has seen unprecedented heat waves across Europe, with temperatures reaching historical highs, such as 48.8°C in Sicily and 46.6°C in Spain [1][2] - The number of heat-related deaths in Spain surged to 1,180 from May 16 to July 13, 2025, marking a 935% increase compared to the same period last year [1] - The frequency and intensity of extreme heat events in Europe are increasing, with some cities facing heat periods lasting up to five months [5][6] Group 2: Health and Environmental Impact - Extreme heat has resulted in over 60,000 deaths in Europe during the summer of 2022, alongside severe ecological impacts from wildfires and droughts [2][6] - The health risks associated with prolonged high temperatures are particularly acute for vulnerable populations, including the elderly [5][10] - The ongoing heat waves are reshaping urban living conditions, with increased hospitalizations and changes in work schedules due to extreme temperatures [4][11] Group 3: Air Conditioning Debate - The debate over the widespread deployment of air conditioning has intensified, with some experts arguing it is a short-term solution that exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions [3][8] - The low penetration of air conditioning in Europe, with only about 5% in France and 3% in Germany, contrasts sharply with the higher rates in the US and China [8][9] - The European Union is cautious about promoting air conditioning due to its potential to conflict with carbon neutrality goals and the ongoing energy crisis [9][10] Group 4: Infrastructure and Adaptation Strategies - The need for infrastructure upgrades is critical, as extreme heat impacts tourism and public services, leading to closures of popular sites and transportation disruptions [11][12] - Recommendations include enhancing building designs for better heat resistance, implementing green roofs, and establishing climate shelters for vulnerable populations [12] - The call for a multi-faceted approach to climate adaptation emphasizes the importance of energy-efficient technologies and improved public health systems to manage heat-related challenges [10][12]

Core Viewpoint - Europe is experiencing extreme heat waves, leading to public health crises and highlighting the lack of air conditioning in households, with several countries reporting heat-related deaths [1][3]. Group 1: Air Conditioning Scarcity - Air conditioning is significantly less common in Europe compared to the U.S., with only about 20% of European households having air conditioning, while the U.S. has a rate of approximately 90% [3]. - The UK has a particularly low air conditioning penetration rate of around 5%, and Germany is even lower at about 3% [3]. - Four main reasons for the scarcity of air conditioning in Europe include traditional habits, building structures, energy costs, and policy direction [3][4]. Group 2: Traditional Habits and Building Structures - Historically, there has been little demand for air conditioning in Europe, as it has been viewed as a luxury rather than a necessity [3]. - Many European homes were built before the mid-20th century, lacking the infrastructure for central cooling systems, with a significant portion of homes having small windows and high floors, making installation costly and complex [3]. Group 3: Energy Costs and Policy Direction - High energy consumption of air conditioning units and elevated electricity prices in Europe pose significant barriers to adoption, especially for low- to middle-income households [4]. - Since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, energy prices in Europe have surged, making air conditioning unaffordable for many [4]. - European policies aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 discourage air conditioning use, with measures such as limiting public air conditioning temperatures to 27 degrees Celsius [4]. Group 4: Changing Attitudes Towards Air Conditioning - The increasing frequency and duration of heat waves are prompting a shift in societal attitudes towards air conditioning in Europe [5]. - The International Energy Agency predicts that the number of air conditioning units in the EU will rise to 275 million by 2050, more than double the number in 2019 [5]. - In the UK, inquiries about residential air conditioning have tripled over the past five years, indicating a growing demand [5]. Group 5: Political and Environmental Considerations - Political figures in France are advocating for large-scale air conditioning infrastructure plans, criticizing the disparity between elite energy consumption and public energy-saving measures [6]. - Experts warn that without clean energy solutions, the widespread adoption of air conditioning could exacerbate climate change, creating a vicious cycle of global warming [6].

Core Points - Europe is currently experiencing an unprecedented heatwave, leading to widespread health warnings and school closures across multiple countries [1][4][6] - The extreme temperatures are attributed to climate change, with experts indicating that such heatwaves are becoming the new normal [1][8] - Various countries are implementing emergency measures to cope with the heat, including closing schools and providing cooling centers for vulnerable populations [6][7] Group 1: Spain - Spain has issued heat warnings across 45 provinces, with temperatures expected to reach 43 degrees Celsius, marking the hottest June on record with an average temperature of 23.6 degrees Celsius [2][4] - The heat has disrupted daily life, with reports of residents struggling to cope with the extreme conditions [2] Group 2: France - In France, 84 out of 96 provinces are affected by the heat, with 16 provinces under the highest red alert level [4][6] - The French government is taking measures such as closing schools and limiting outdoor activities to protect public health [6] Group 3: Italy - Italy is also facing extreme heat, with 18 cities under red alert and reports of a 10% increase in heat-related emergency cases [6][8] - The government is promoting public awareness campaigns and providing free access to cooling facilities for the elderly [6] Group 4: Germany - Germany has seen half of its regions under the highest alert level, with temperatures potentially reaching 40 degrees Celsius [4][7] - Employers are required to take measures to protect workers from extreme heat, including providing drinks and increasing break times [7] Group 5: Climate Change Implications - The ongoing heatwave is a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change, with scientists warning that such events will become more frequent and severe [1][9] - The World Health Organization has called for urgent action to prevent heat-related deaths, highlighting the need for national heat health action plans [8][9]

Core Concept - The construction of "cool cities" in Hainan aims to mitigate the effects of high temperatures and improve urban livability through ecological and architectural strategies [1][6]. Group 1: Urban Cooling Strategies - Hainan is implementing "cool city" pilot projects in cities like Haikou and Sanya, focusing on ecological spatial layout and building forms to explore urban cooling strategies [1][6]. - The province has established an expert group to address urban heat island effects by optimizing cold source locations and creating ventilation corridors [2][6]. - The design of "cool city" street blocks includes various applications such as cool residential communities and green transportation, enhancing urban comfort and sustainability [3][4]. Group 2: Architectural Innovations - The construction of public and commercial street blocks incorporates design principles that promote airflow and reduce heat retention, such as covered walkways and shaded areas [4]. - The use of green building materials and energy-efficient designs is emphasized, with 90% of new residential buildings in Hainan being green buildings by 2024 [5]. - The Hainan Energy Trading Building features outdoor gardens and a double-layer façade that reduces heat by 62.4%, showcasing innovative architectural solutions [5]. Group 3: Environmental and Policy Support - Hainan is integrating low-carbon strategies into the "cool city" initiative, promoting electric vehicles and achieving a 17.7% increase in new energy vehicle adoption in 2024 [5]. - The province is developing replicable demonstration projects that are quick to implement and effective, aiming to enhance urban livability across Hainan [6].

Group 1 - The article highlights the transformation of urban green spaces into beautiful gardens, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of cities as they bloom in May [1] - Changchun, one of China's four garden cities, has a green coverage rate of approximately 45%, achieving the goal of "300 meters to see green, 500 meters to see a park" [4][6] - The city has planted 26,800 trees and cultivated 57,200 square meters of flower beds this year, creating 36 three-dimensional floral displays [8] Group 2 - In Ningxia Yinchuan, the city is experiencing a vibrant floral season, with streets resembling flower corridors, attracting social media attention [14][15] - Yinchuan's green maintenance center has created 19 floral landscape areas using long-blooming and colorful flower varieties [20] - In Shandong Jinan, the flower beds along major roads, particularly near scenic spots, have been designed to create a flowing floral landscape [22][24] Group 3 - The integration of flowers into urban spaces not only enhances visual appeal but also contributes to ecological benefits, such as increasing biodiversity and improving urban microclimates [29][31] - The planting of nectar-rich plants supports pollinators, which in turn attracts birds, while green belts help mitigate urban heat island effects and reduce noise pollution [31]