A senior French official has drawn widespread criticism for blaming Americans and their lifestyle for the deadly heatwave that recently affected Europe, killing at least 1,300 people. Paris Deputy Mayor Audrey Pulvar ignited transatlantic fury on social media after suggesting that the United States bears significant responsibility for global warming and its consequences.
In an Instagram post over the weekend, Pulvar reportedly complained about what she described as "American journalists and social media 'influencers'" criticizing Paris for lacking air conditioning in many homes. She stated that as the world's second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the U.S. is significantly responsible for global warming and its effects felt in France. Pulvar also implied that the abundance of air conditioning in American homes was "not unrelated" to the issue.
The heatwave saw record-breaking temperatures across Europe. One town in southwestern France registered over 111 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday, as the World Health Organization reported 1,300 excess deaths across the continent. France alone recorded approximately 1,000 excess deaths between Wednesday and Friday of last week.
Pulvar's remarks were met with sharp criticism from American social media users, many of whom pointed to China as a larger contributor to CO2 emissions annually. Users suggested she should address China, which emits roughly 12 billion tons of CO2 per year compared to the U.S.'s approximately 6 billion tons.
Some critics questioned Pulvar's focus on emissions and air conditioning while people were dying from the heat. One user commented, "Air conditioners do contribute to carbon emissions. You prefer deaths, like the 1,300 deaths in Europe just the last few days over air conditioning?"
In her statement, Pulvar also highlighted the Paris government's efforts to promote green initiatives and suggested that air conditioning should be used sparingly as it "aggravates the problem" of hot weather. She contended that if every American city mirrored the environmental transition efforts of Paris and other European cities, the world would be better off. She concluded her remarks with a message that users derided as hypocritical: "So please, enough with the lecture. Just start doing your part. Best regards."
Only about 25 percent of French homes are equipped with air conditioning, a figure lower than in other European countries like Spain and Italy. Government restrictions, concerns about climate change, and high energy costs contribute to the uncommon use of AC in France. During the recent heatwave, Parisians were observed sleeping outdoors and seeking relief in public fountains as indoor temperatures soared above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).