Ah, so that’s what it was all of a sudden.
Suddenly, politicians are beginning to realize that the heat is dangerous. That cities no longer cool down at night. That the elderly collapse, children suffer, and homes become concrete ovens. Welcome to 2026 — glad you stopped by once in a while.
In Rennes, while some people sit on park benches at night because their bedrooms have become unbearably hot, somewhere, a committee is still discussing a “long-term climate strategy.” Long-term. Now this word sounds completely ironic.
Climate change is no longer at the door. It has already entered the living room, eating up the power of fans and stealing our sleep.
And yet, many responsible parties still seem to act as if this is just a slightly longer transient weather event. A little hydration station here, a little mist there — enough for local governments to show face. Of course, such measures are effective in the short term. That is certain. But now, it looks like a bandage on an open wound.
The truth is this: for decades, we have debated, postponed, and relativized. We have repeatedly said that we must not overburden the economy, must not unsettle citizens, and must not pressure industry. Strangely, entire cities are now overwhelmed by temperatures that were previously considered rare exceptions.
And now? Now parks are open at night.
This makes sense on a human level. But at the same time, it is a heavy symbol. Because the fact that people had to seek refuge in parks at night in Brittany at the end of May already proves that something is seriously wrong.
What seems particularly unreasonable is the political double standards. The same voices that dismissed climate protection for years as hysterical or “too costly” are now presenting heatstroke prevention as a great innovation. Bravo. Really. Next, they might realize that shade is cool.
Sarcasm is difficult because the situation is now painfully serious.
The coming summer will be even harsher. Cities will become even hotter, water will become increasingly scarce, and extreme weather will become more frequent. These have been indicated in scientific reports for years. No one can say they are surprised. What is surprising is that politics still insists on trying to downplay this obvious fact.
People are already sensing the change. Not inside a model somewhere, but during nights in their own beds. Seeing withered green spaces. Feeling suffocated even after the sun has set.
How many more sultry nights are needed before real action is taken?
Or are we seriously going to wait for the last air-conditioned conference room to get hot?