The German case against air conditioning

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, yet politicians and environmentalists remain deeply sceptical of the technology most people reach for first.

Dear Reader,

Last autumn I moved to a part of the country that I’ve heard locals variously describe as “Germany’s California” and “Germany’s Tuscany.” Home to rolling Riesling vineyards – the largest in the world, I’m told – the Palatinate is one of Germany’s most beautiful regions.

Its location in the Rhine Valley, far from the coast, also makes it one o…