Latest news with #Haussmann
The Australian
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Australian
Parisians hot under the collar over A/C in apartments
As summer temperatures rise, many Parisians are warming to the idea of installing air conditioning in their apartments, ending a longstanding resistance to what is considered a basic comfort in many capitals elsewhere. Although commonplace in the French capital's modern office buildings and large stores, air conditioning has never been the norm in Paris homes, where it is considered to be climate-unfriendly, wasteful and -- at least so far -- mostly unnecessary. Complaints from foreign visitors mystified by Parisians' A/C rejection have usually been met with a Gallic shrug. But fierce heatwaves in recent years, which experts say are exacerbated by global warming, are causing resolves to crumble -- though the newly converted often feel guilty about the environmental impact of operating an A/C unit. "Even when you know that it's a selfish pleasure, there comes a tipping point at which all counter-arguments get thrown out," said Ruben Arnold, a 47-year-old father of young children. As the boss of a startup company specialising in energy use in buildings, Arnold said he was well aware of the climate cost of air conditioning, but he needed the installation for him and his children to "get through" the heat. For people on the top floor of Paris buildings directly under a zinc-covered roof, typical of the city's many Haussmann-era buildings, hot summers can feel like living below a frying pan. - 'Didn't think that was even possible' - "During the last heatwave, the temperature went up to 41C (106F) at my place," said Marion Lafuste, who lives in northeast Paris. "I didn't think that was even possible." Ice packs placed in front of fans and firmly closed shutters brought scant relief, the 40-year-old said. Lafuste said she was lucky to have a place in the country where she and her family can sit out the worst of the heat. Otherwise she would have bought an A/C system "despite all the ideological problems I have with that". Although she worries about global warming, "I no longer judge people who get one", she said. Martine Bontemps, who also lives on the top floor of a Paris building, said she found the heat suffocating sometimes, but still "won't give in". Instead she makes do with a ceiling fan she got her landlord to install. The national weather service Meteo France predicts that Paris could regularly see heatwaves of up to 50C by 2050. There will also be a rising number of nights with tropical-like heat, it says, which poses a health problem because humans need to sleep in temperatures of under 20C to recover from daytime stresses. During a virulent French heatwave in 2003, a third of the heat-related deaths of elderly people occurred at home. This is why Sophie Julini, 53, installed air conditioning in her home, giving her 86-year-old mother an opportunity to cool down for several hours every day. Air conditioning is not yet commonplace in Paris "but is in full development", according to a recent study by the APUR urban planning agency. - 'Very problematic' - Part of the pressure to upgrade comes from foreign visitors who rent private apartments, the report said. Hard numbers are still difficult to come by, because many Paris dwellers buy portable units that do not appear in building statistics. But overall, "we have observed a strong trend towards air conditioning", said Karine Bidart, director of the Paris Climate Agency (APC), calling the development "very problematic". The agency, founded by city hall to help citizens with the climate transition, does what it can to counter this "catastrophic mis-adaptation" to climate change, she said. "Several studies predict that a massive increase in private air conditioning will raise the outside temperature by 2C," said Dan Lert, in charge of the city's climate plan. "It's one thing to use it as a last resort, especially for vulnerable people," said Frederic Delhommeau, director for residential energy at APC. "But it's problematic to turn to air conditioning as a reflex, because there are other solutions that are cheaper and more efficient." Among them is the renovation of buildings, including by making changes to the many zinc-covered roofs, Lert said. But often such projects are blocked by heritage protection agencies "who rate patrimony more highly than people's health", he said. Despite everything, said Anne Ruas, a researcher, air conditioning in Paris's private apartments will only become more widespread in the coming years. "Instead of saying you can't have them, and guilt-tripping people, we need to think of solutions and come up with the least harmful systems possible," she said. juc/jh/sjw/js/
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Climate
- News.com.au
Parisians hot under the collar over A/C in apartments
As summer temperatures rise, many Parisians are warming to the idea of installing air conditioning in their apartments, ending a longstanding resistance to what is considered a basic comfort in many capitals elsewhere. Although commonplace in the French capital's modern office buildings and large stores, air conditioning has never been the norm in Paris homes, where it is considered to be climate-unfriendly, wasteful and -- at least so far -- mostly unnecessary. Complaints from foreign visitors mystified by Parisians' A/C rejection have usually been met with a Gallic shrug. But fierce heatwaves in recent years, which experts say are exacerbated by global warming, are causing resolves to crumble -- though the newly converted often feel guilty about the environmental impact of operating an A/C unit. "Even when you know that it's a selfish pleasure, there comes a tipping point at which all counter-arguments get thrown out," said Ruben Arnold, a 47-year-old father of young children. As the boss of a startup company specialising in energy use in buildings, Arnold said he was well aware of the climate cost of air conditioning, but he needed the installation for him and his children to "get through" the heat. For people on the top floor of Paris buildings directly under a zinc-covered roof, typical of the city's many Haussmann-era buildings, hot summers can feel like living below a frying pan. - 'Didn't think that was even possible' - "During the last heatwave, the temperature went up to 41C (106F) at my place," said Marion Lafuste, who lives in northeast Paris. "I didn't think that was even possible." Ice packs placed in front of fans and firmly closed shutters brought scant relief, the 40-year-old said. Lafuste said she was lucky to have a place in the country where she and her family can sit out the worst of the heat. Otherwise she would have bought an A/C system "despite all the ideological problems I have with that". Although she worries about global warming, "I no longer judge people who get one", she said. Martine Bontemps, who also lives on the top floor of a Paris building, said she found the heat suffocating sometimes, but still "won't give in". Instead she makes do with a ceiling fan she got her landlord to install. The national weather service Meteo France predicts that Paris could regularly see heatwaves of up to 50C by 2050. There will also be a rising number of nights with tropical-like heat, it says, which poses a health problem because humans need to sleep in temperatures of under 20C to recover from daytime stresses. During a virulent French heatwave in 2003, a third of the heat-related deaths of elderly people occurred at home. This is why Sophie Julini, 53, installed air conditioning in her home, giving her 86-year-old mother an opportunity to cool down for several hours every day. Air conditioning is not yet commonplace in Paris "but is in full development", according to a recent study by the APUR urban planning agency. - 'Very problematic' - Part of the pressure to upgrade comes from foreign visitors who rent private apartments, the report said. Hard numbers are still difficult to come by, because many Paris dwellers buy portable units that do not appear in building statistics. But overall, "we have observed a strong trend towards air conditioning", said Karine Bidart, director of the Paris Climate Agency (APC), calling the development "very problematic". The agency, founded by city hall to help citizens with the climate transition, does what it can to counter this "catastrophic mis-adaptation" to climate change, she said. "Several studies predict that a massive increase in private air conditioning will raise the outside temperature by 2C," said Dan Lert, in charge of the city's climate plan. "It's one thing to use it as a last resort, especially for vulnerable people," said Frederic Delhommeau, director for residential energy at APC. "But it's problematic to turn to air conditioning as a reflex, because there are other solutions that are cheaper and more efficient." Among them is the renovation of buildings, including by making changes to the many zinc-covered roofs, Lert said. But often such projects are blocked by heritage protection agencies "who rate patrimony more highly than people's health", he said. Despite everything, said Anne Ruas, a researcher, air conditioning in Paris's private apartments will only become more widespread in the coming years. "Instead of saying you can't have them, and guilt-tripping people, we need to think of solutions and come up with the least harmful systems possible," she said. juc/jh/sjw/js/
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Parisians hot under the collar over A/C in apartments
As summer temperatures rise, many Parisians are warming to the idea of installing air conditioning in their apartments, ending a longstanding resistance to what is considered a basic comfort in many capitals elsewhere. Although commonplace in the French capital's modern office buildings and large stores, air conditioning has never been the norm in Paris homes, where it is considered to be climate-unfriendly, wasteful and -- at least so far -- mostly unnecessary. Complaints from foreign visitors mystified by Parisians' A/C rejection have usually been met with a Gallic shrug. But fierce heatwaves in recent years, which experts say are exacerbated by global warming, are causing resolves to crumble -- though the newly converted often feel guilty about the environmental impact of operating an A/C unit. "Even when you know that it's a selfish pleasure, there comes a tipping point at which all counter-arguments get thrown out," said Ruben Arnold, a 47-year-old father of young children. As the boss of a startup company specialising in energy use in buildings, Arnold said he was well aware of the climate cost of air conditioning, but he needed the installation for him and his children to "get through" the heat. For people on the top floor of Paris buildings directly under a zinc-covered roof, typical of the city's many Haussmann-era buildings, hot summers can feel like living below a frying pan. - 'Didn't think that was even possible' - "During the last heatwave, the temperature went up to 41C (106F) at my place," said Marion Lafuste, who lives in northeast Paris. "I didn't think that was even possible." Ice packs placed in front of fans and firmly closed shutters brought scant relief, the 40-year-old said. Lafuste said she was lucky to have a place in the country where she and her family can sit out the worst of the heat. Otherwise she would have bought an A/C system "despite all the ideological problems I have with that". Although she worries about global warming, "I no longer judge people who get one", she said. Martine Bontemps, who also lives on the top floor of a Paris building, said she found the heat suffocating sometimes, but still "won't give in". Instead she makes do with a ceiling fan she got her landlord to install. The national weather service Meteo France predicts that Paris could regularly see heatwaves of up to 50C by 2050. There will also be a rising number of nights with tropical-like heat, it says, which poses a health problem because humans need to sleep in temperatures of under 20C to recover from daytime stresses. During a virulent French heatwave in 2003, a third of the heat-related deaths of elderly people occurred at home. This is why Sophie Julini, 53, installed air conditioning in her home, giving her 86-year-old mother an opportunity to cool down for several hours every day. Air conditioning is not yet commonplace in Paris "but is in full development", according to a recent study by the APUR urban planning agency. - 'Very problematic' - Part of the pressure to upgrade comes from foreign visitors who rent private apartments, the report said. Hard numbers are still difficult to come by, because many Paris dwellers buy portable units that do not appear in building statistics. But overall, "we have observed a strong trend towards air conditioning", said Karine Bidart, director of the Paris Climate Agency (APC), calling the development "very problematic". The agency, founded by city hall to help citizens with the climate transition, does what it can to counter this "catastrophic mis-adaptation" to climate change, she said. "Several studies predict that a massive increase in private air conditioning will raise the outside temperature by 2C," said Dan Lert, in charge of the city's climate plan. "It's one thing to use it as a last resort, especially for vulnerable people," said Frederic Delhommeau, director for residential energy at APC. "But it's problematic to turn to air conditioning as a reflex, because there are other solutions that are cheaper and more efficient." Among them is the renovation of buildings, including by making changes to the many zinc-covered roofs, Lert said. But often such projects are blocked by heritage protection agencies "who rate patrimony more highly than people's health", he said. Despite everything, said Anne Ruas, a researcher, air conditioning in Paris's private apartments will only become more widespread in the coming years. "Instead of saying you can't have them, and guilt-tripping people, we need to think of solutions and come up with the least harmful systems possible," she said. juc/jh/sjw/js/
Daily Maverick
02-06-2025
- General
- Daily Maverick
Conservation world mourns loss of visionary leader Sharon Haussmann
Sharon Haussmann, a trailblazer in the field of conservation and the CEO of the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation, has died. Her death last weekend has sent ripples of grief across the conservation community, where she was widely admired for her relentless drive, strategic brilliance and deep love of wildlife. Haussmann was more than a CEO – she was a connector, mentor and fierce protector of South Africa's natural heritage. Known for her wicked humour and capacity to inspire those around her, she led the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation (GKEPF) through a pivotal period of transformation. With great skill, she united fragmented stakeholders, from private landowners to public institutions, forging partnerships in one of the country's most contested conservation landscapes. 'Sharon's leadership acumen was evident in every engagement,' said SANParks Board Chairperson Pam Yako in a statement on Monday, 2 June 2025. 'Her clarity of thought, strategic foresight and deep understanding of the complexities of conservation partnerships consistently elevated the quality of dialogue and decision-making.' Under Haussmann's leadership, GKEPF became a key strategic partner of the Kruger National Park and SANParks. Her work helped build the foundation for Vision 2040, SANParks' new agenda for inclusive, sustainable conservation. Yet her passion was always grounded in action. Whether darting rhinos, coordinating anti-poaching units or organising youth soccer tournaments in remote communities, Haussmann was hands-on. Her presence in Balule, where she lived, exemplified her commitment to living and working at the frontline of conservation challenges. 'She influenced, connected, persuaded and inspired,' said the GKEPF in a heartfelt Facebook tribute. 'From relocating rhinos to mentoring young rangers, Sharon approached every task with courage and enthusiasm.' She was especially devoted to rhinos and spotted hyenas – animals she defended with fervent conviction. But it was her people skills that made her irreplaceable. She had a rare ability to make others feel valued and empowered, never standing on ceremony, always leading from the front. Sharon Haussmann is survived by her husband, Robin Haussmann and their son, Aden. The GKEPF family expressed its heartbreak in a public statement, noting that 'her presence, strength, and leadership will be sorely missed'. SANParks said in a media statement that it would 'honour her memory by recommitting ourselves to the path she eloquently helped to forge – one of unity, innovation and unwavering dedication to the protection of our natural heritage'. Her legacy, etched into the landscapes she fought to protect, will live on in every rhino rescued, every fence line patrolled and every young conservationist she inspired. DM
The Citizen
02-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
LISTEN: Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation mourns CEO's passing
The Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation (GKEPF) has shared the news of the passing of its CEO, Sharon Haussmann. She passed away on Saturday, May 31, at the age of 55. The GKEPF said her death was sudden and unexpected. Haussmann is survived by her husband, Robin Haussmann, and their son, Aden, along with her mother, Marie Hearne, her father, Steven Hearne, and her brother, Ralf Hearne. SANParks Pays Tribute to the Late Ms. Sharon Haussmann, CEO of GKEPF SANParks expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Ms. Sharon Haussmann, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation (GKEPF). — SANParks (@SANParks) June 2, 2025 The GKEPF described Haussmann as a friend to her colleagues and to anyone who crossed her path in the world of conservation. 'Trained as an engineer and accomplished as an entrepreneur, Sharon never missed an opportunity to do better in all that she did, starting with her cherished area of Balule, which she made her home. She took the GKEPF helm at a time when the region was in dire need of an experienced and accomplished co-ordinator,' said GKEPF in a statement. 'In a landscape marked by complex challenges, she had a rare ability to bring people together, from communities living on the edges of Kruger and Mozambique, to captains of the industry and reserve managers across the Greater Kruger,' read the statement. The GKEPF says Haussmann will be remembered for her sense of humour, her love of the celebration of hard work and a job well done, her relentless vision and drive, as well as her passion for wildlife, especially her rhinos and spotted hyenas. LISTEN HERE: 'She made things happen. She influenced, connected, persuaded and inspired. Whether relocating rhinos from Klerksdorp to Kruger, monitoring fences in government reserves, darting rhinos, or organising youth soccer tournaments, Sharon approached every task with courage and enthusiasm,' reads the statement. ALSO READ: Poaching affects everyone, says KNP SANParks has expressed its deepest condolences to Haussmann's family, friends and colleagues. SANParks says Haussmann's passing came at a critical time in the history of conservation in the country. Her death came at the time when SANParks is embarking on a new strategic direction, Vision 2040, which places collaboration, sustainability and inclusive conservation at the heart of building resilient protected areas. 'Sharon's leadership acumen was evident in every engagement. Her clarity of thought, strategic foresight and deep understanding of the complexities of conservation partnerships consistently elevated the quality of dialogue and decision making. It was through her vision and determination that the GKEPF was established, becoming a strategic partner to both the Kruger National Park and SANParks,' reacted the SANParks board chairperson, Pam Yako, following the news. 'May her legacy continue to inspire us as we walk the trail she so courageously blazed. May her soul rest in peace,' added Yako. The James Mayinga Foundation, which worked together with Haussmann, making a difference in influencing social cohesion through sport, and uniting conservation and communities through sport, told Lowvelder that a giant has been lost. ALOS READ: Game rangers' association labels former Kruger National Park regional ranger a disgrace 'We have lost a trailblazer who led from the front. It is with deep sorrow that we join the GKEPF family in mourning the passing of their remarkable CEO,' said James Mayinga, the founder of the James Mayinga Foundation. 'At the James Mayinga Foundation we were privileged to work alongside Sharon and witness her unwavering commitment to building a better future for both people and nature. Her legacy will live on through the conservation work she led with heart and courage. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends and the entire GKEPF team. The Chairperson of Balule Private Nature Reserve, Sharon Haussmann, says this is a huge step towards the right direction for #Conservation. #TheGreaterKruger — Kruger National Park (@SANParksKNP) March 19, 2019 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
