Australians' Ways to Deal with Heatwaves that Europeans Can Learn

Heatwaves are very hot weather.

It is Thursday, 25 June 2026, at 5:00 am.

France had temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius.

In short:

Europe is having a very bad heatwave.

Other countries can learn from Australia about dealing with heat.

What's next?

The heatwave will move to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Europe is having a severe heatwave with very high temperatures.

Scientists say this kind of event will happen more often due to climate change.

Britain had its highest June temperature, reaching 36 degrees Celsius.

France had its hottest day, with temperatures reaching 44.3 degrees Celsius.

Italy put 16 cities on high heat alert.

Spain had its highest daily average temperature in June.

Australians are used to high temperatures during summer.

Temperatures in France were 15 degrees above average.

Health experts say many factors affect how people deal with heat.

Australia's experience with hot summers can teach other countries.

Heat familiarity

Australians are used to hot temperatures, but their bodies can still get too hot.

ANU honorary professor Liz Hanna studies heat exposure and health.

Australians go to the beach during heatwaves and wear hats.

Australians know how to behave during a heatwave.

Australians wear hats and protective clothing to protect their skin.

Liz Hanna says Europeans struggle with extreme heat.

Europeans are not used to extreme heat, so they don't know how to respond.

Housing design for a future climate

Housing design in Europe varies by location and climate.

RMIT's Nicola Willand specializes in housing, energy, and health.

Countries in cooler climates prioritize insulation to stay warm.

Insulation can make homes warmer, but it can also trap heat.

The Queenslander house design is an example of a climate-adaptive home.

The Queenslander has a shaded area underneath and timber floors for natural cooling.

The house uses lightweight materials to stay cool.

Countries in Europe have their own energy rating rules for houses.

Germany only looks at heating, not cooling, in its energy ratings.

Europe is heating up faster than the global average.

Adapting to climate change

European countries are taking steps to prepare for climate change.

While Australia is advanced in climate adaptation, there is still room for improvement.

Dr. Hanna wants legislation to require landlords to provide cool housing.

Policies are needed to help builders prepare for extreme heat.

Australia's housing regulations do not cover extreme temperatures.

Dr. Willand says homes should be designed to respond to peak temperatures.

The summers of today are different from those of our grandparents.

Air conditioning can help, but it is not a solution on its own.

Australia has about 70% of homes with air conditioning.

Dr. Willand says people should not just install air conditioners without designing their homes to stay cool.

Installing air conditioners without proper design can increase energy demand and bills.

It would increase electricity bills, especially for low-income households.

Thursday, 25 June 2026, at 5:00 am.

Thursday, 25 June 2026, at 9:47 am.

ABC Emergency

Plan for an emergency

Pratique d'écoute