It’s Gonna Be a Hot Summer. And Century.

I don’t do well in hot temperatures. Having grown up at the same latitude as Alaska (but on the other side of the Chukchi Sea), I am not built for heat.

Moving to Germany six years ago looked like a great idea to me. The winters are mild, and the summers are moderate. A perfectly temperate climate, in other words. But, as the recent years showed, it’s not so temperate after all.

In the last few years, Germany has been hit by several heat waves, with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). And while these temperatures are not uncommon for many parts of the world, they are relatively uncommon for Germany, where only three percent of households have AC.

Germany is not an exception. The world seems to get hotter and hotter, and we can expect more and more heat waves. And while there are steps we can take to lessen the impact of heat waves, it’s essential to realize that they’re here to stay.

Why Do Heatwaves Occur More Often?

There are several reasons for this. First, the world is getting hotter due to climate change. This means that there will be more hot days and thus more opportunities for heat waves.

Due to the increase in greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, the planet cannot cool down as…