Environment - World news, culture and opinion

Climate change: 'We cannot meet the challenge of adapting housing with the tools of the past. A thorough overhaul is needed'

Christophe Rodriguez, the director of the French Institute for Building Energy Performance, explains in an interview with Le Monde the urgent need to adapt institutions in order to carry out the 'project of the century' – the renovation of France's building stock.

Published yesterday at 10:47 pm (Paris) Emeline Cazi

News

US gripped by extreme heatwave, disrupting 250th anniversary and World Cup celebrations

Temperatures neared 40°C (104°F) in New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC, on Thursday and Friday, causing widespread power outages and prompting organizers to delay the start of Independence Day celebrations.

Published yesterday at 10:23 am (Paris) Nicolas Chapuis

Feature

Devastating heatwave leaves France's wildlife in crisis

Following the recent heatwave, the facility run by the French League for the Protection of Birds (LPO) in Audenge, Gironde (southwestern France), reported a record number of animals suffering from extreme heat, mirroring a trend seen at many other wildlife rescue sites.

Published yesterday at 3:30 am (Paris) Perrine Mouterde

News

Families demand help with recovering Venezuela's quake victims

The death toll from Venezuela's double earthquakes has continued to rise, and on Friday authorities reported a total of 2,645 deaths and more than 12,000 wounded. The UN has estimated that as many as 50,000 people are still missing.

Published on July 3, 2026, at 11:24 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

In Depth

France records 2,025 excess deaths from heatwave, but data remains incomplete

The French public health agency said that 2,025 additional deaths were recorded between June 22 and June 28, during the peak of the heatwave that scorched France. Experts expect the final count to be higher.

Published on July 3, 2026, at 5:40 pm (Paris) Delphine Roucaute

In Depth

The dashed hopes of France's isolated environment minister

The historic June heatwave thrust Monique Barbut, former head of World Wildlife Fund - France, onto the media stage. She has struggled to get her message across and make environmental policy a priority for the government.

Published on July 3, 2026, at 5:00 pm (Paris) Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

In Depth

Early heatwaves are devastating French agriculture and leaving farmers helpless

Scorched crops, decimated livestock and double-digit production drops: as farmers take stock of the effects of extreme heat, they fear the worst is yet to come.

Published on July 3, 2026, at 12:51 pm (Paris) Manon Rescan

News

France deaths rose by nearly 30% during heatwave

During the week of June 22, there were '2,025 additional deaths compared with the previous week,' according to the French public health service.

Published on July 3, 2026, at 10:18 am (Paris), updated on July 3, 2026, at 5:45 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

Rescuers dig out survivor eight days after Venezuela quakes that killed at least 2,595 people

Teams from seven countries dug for more than three days to free the 43-year-old man. The search for thousands of survivors continues, but hope is fading.

Published on July 3, 2026, at 7:20 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

In Graphs

Four graphs to visualize the unprecedented scale of France's June 2026 heatwave

France's most recent heatwave began on June 17 and reached unprecedented levels in terms of both peak temperatures and official alert status. It proved to be more intense than the infamous 2003 heatwave and could also surpass its duration.

Published on July 3, 2026, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on July 3, 2026, at 9:35 am Pierre Breteau, Audrey Garric, Romain Imbach and Léa Prati

News

French PM Lecornu warns of 'fairly severe' wildfires arriving unusually early

According to the prime minister, the wildfire season is running at least two weeks ahead of its usual schedule. With vegetation already extremely dry, he voiced concerns about the 'endurance' of firefighting resources.

Published on July 3, 2026, at 1:00 am (Paris), updated on July 3, 2026, at 9:47 am Gilles Rof

News

Heat dome roasts eastern US ahead of Fourth of July celebrations

The heatwave that has been broiling the Midwest began intensifying in the Northeast on Thursday, with temperatures hitting or surpassing 38°C in cities including New York and Washington. The intense heat was of particular concern given the many planned outdoor events to celebrate America's 250th anniversary.

Published on July 2, 2026, at 11:39 pm (Paris), updated on July 3, 2026, at 7:34 am Le Monde with AFP

News

Thousands evacuated in southern France as wildfires rage

Hundreds of firefighters are battling wildfires in the south of the country that are being fueled by wind, drought and heat.

Published on July 2, 2026, at 8:47 pm (Paris), updated on July 3, 2026, at 7:46 am Le Monde with AFP

News

Earlier and more intense heatwaves drive expansion of swimming in Paris

Starting Saturday and continuing until the end of summer, swimming will be permitted in the Bassin de la Villette, at Bercy near the Bras Marie and just a few hundred meters from the Eiffel Tower, the Paris city hall announced.

Published on July 2, 2026, at 2:30 pm (Paris) Emeline Cazi

Round-up

How can we prepare together for the next heatwave?

France will experience many more heatwaves and some will be even more severe than the last one, which was historic. To cope, we need to get organized collectively – without giving up the fight to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, Le Monde's climate expert writes.

Published on July 2, 2026, at 10:47 am (Paris) Nabil Wakim

News

RN unveils vague and less ambitious air conditioning plan than promised

After weeks of contradictions, the far-right party on Tuesday presented a zero-interest loan scheme aimed at local authorities, public institutions and individuals. A far cry from the 'strategic' state 'investments' that had been announced.

Published on July 1, 2026, at 12:30 pm (Paris) Corentin Lesueur

News

After the Venezuela earthquake, 'it's the people helping the people, and that's how it's been for a long time'

One week after an earthquake shook the country killing almost 2,000 people, thousands of victims have relied on the solidarity of ordinary citizens.

Published on July 1, 2026, at 12:04 pm (Paris) Anne Vigna

News

Global oceans experience record heat in June, driven by El Niño and climate change

The average surface temperature reached 20.98°C in June, surpassing the previous 2024 high, according to the European observatory Copernicus Marine. The first half of 2026 was the second-warmest on record.

Published on July 1, 2026, at 4:43 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

News

France will likely face third heatwave of the year from this weekend

Temperatures are set to drop tomorrow and Thursday across the country, before rising again Friday in the southern half. The duration, intensity and geographical extent of the episode remain uncertain at this stage.

Published on June 30, 2026, at 11:49 pm (Paris), updated on July 1, 2026, at 11:17 am Audrey Garric

News

French Greens announce no-confidence motion over government's heatwave response

At the Assemblée Nationale, the Greens also called for a commission of inquiry into the government's policy for adapting to global warming, while Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu defended the government's response.

Published on June 30, 2026, at 6:13 pm (Paris), updated on June 30, 2026, at 6:16 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

France records an extra 300 deaths during May heatwave

The May extrme heat 'exposed a population not yet accustomed at that time of year to high temperatures, during a period when school and work activities are still in full swing,' reported France's public health agency on Tuesday.

Published on June 30, 2026, at 3:53 pm (Paris), updated on June 30, 2026, at 4:07 pm Le Monde with AFP

Q&A Article in live

Our climate expert's answers to your questions about France's recent extreme heat

Nabil Wakim answered readers' questions about how the country has handled this historic event – and how it will deal with the next one.

Published on June 30, 2026, at 12:36 pm (Paris), updated on June 30, 2026, at 6:14 pm Nabil Wakim

News

Venezuela earthquakes: 'The rescue workers didn't try anything. They say it's too dangerous. But we keep going'

For the past five days, in La Guaira, the area hit hardest by the two earthquakes, families of victims buried beneath collapsed buildings have worked without pause to pull relatives from the rubble.

Published on June 30, 2026, at 10:45 am (Paris) Anne Vigna

News

France passes watered-down legislation to curb fast fashion

The law aimed at 'reducing the environmental impact of the textile industry' passed its final reading in the Sénat on June 29. Its content underwent numerous revisions over the past two years, particularly to accommodate domestic players in France, while excluding online giants Shein and Temu from those concessions.

Published on June 30, 2026, at 4:04 am (Paris), updated on June 30, 2026, at 9:28 am Juliette Garnier

Column

'The heatwave shows, beyond any doubt, that without strong mitigation measures, adaptation will be impossible'

Efforts to combat climate change require far more than mere technical adjustments, writes Le Monde's Stéphane Foucart in his column.

Published on June 30, 2026, at 4:00 am (Paris) Stéphane Foucart

Interview

'We should not accept that heatwaves cause thousands of deaths. That is not normal'

In an interview with Le Monde, Julien Dossier, founder of the environmental consulting firm Quattrolibri, offers an initial political assessment of how France responded to the most intense heatwave ever recorded in the country.

Published on June 30, 2026, at 3:27 am (Paris), updated on June 30, 2026, at 9:34 am Audrey Garric

News

US races to reopen Venezuela port as earthquake deaths top 1,700

Five days after twin earthquakes devastated Caracas and La Guaira, hopes of finding survivors are fading. Though US Marines and US helicopters have been ferrying in aid, Many Venezuelans are growing increasingly frustrated with their US-backed government's sluggish response to the disaster.

Published on June 29, 2026, at 9:30 pm (Paris), updated on June 30, 2026, at 7:21 am Le Monde with AFP

News

French government defends response to heat wave

After a week-long heat wave, which led to around 1,000 more deaths than the same period in previous months, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu defended the government's response, saying the measures put in place had 'held up well.'

Published on June 29, 2026, at 8:06 pm (Paris), updated on June 29, 2026, at 8:55 pm Le Monde with AFP

In Depth

French government criticized over climate record and sluggish heatwave response

While Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has chosen to communicate minimally to avoid appearing nervous, French President Emmanuel Macron has been irritated by the criticism and has insisted that he has done 'a great deal of work.'

Published on June 29, 2026, at 12:56 pm (Paris) Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

News

France releases first estimate of heatwave mortality, as at-home deaths rise

French health authorities reported around 1,000 excess deaths. Doctors and nurses working on the ground remain under intense pressure and fear even more fatalities in the coming days.

Published on June 29, 2026, at 12:05 pm (Paris) Mattea Battaglia Camille Stromboni

Feature

French firefighters brace for high-risk season after record heatwave

Fifty-two administrative departments across France are at risk of forest wildfires.

Published on June 28, 2026, at 5:05 pm (Paris), updated on June 28, 2026, at 5:06 pm Maryline Baumard

News

'Our infrastructure was designed for a climate that no longer exists': France's unfinished reckoning with increasing heatwaves

In 2003, an unprecedented heatwave struck France in the middle of August while the government was on vacation. It killed 15,000 people. While this public health shock transformed the alert system and the management of heat-related illnesses, France has failed to learn any lessons regarding its necessary adaptation to climate change.

Published on June 28, 2026, at 11:38 am (Paris) Sylvie Lecherbonnier, Violaine Morin, Stéphanie Pierre and Camille Stromboni

Your stories

'Summer and extreme heat make all the symptoms worse': Coping with a heatwave and mental health conditions

As temperatures rise, several studies have shown an increase in visits to psychiatric emergency rooms and suicide attempts.

Published on June 28, 2026, at 10:58 am (Paris) Anne-Aël Durand

News

France records around 1,000 excess deaths in heatwave

Public Health France said areas under red alert for heat had been particularly badly affected, and 85% of the deaths had been those aged 65 and over

Published on June 28, 2026, at 10:14 am (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

In Depth

The debate on adapting to climate change: Face 'investment wall' or pay the price of inaction?

The historic heatwave in recent days has exposed just how far behind France has fallen, as budget constraints now hinder efforts to adapt more than ever.

Published on June 28, 2026, at 2:24 am (Paris), updated on June 28, 2026, at 10:40 am Raphaëlle Besse Desmoulières

News

Venezuela quakes kill almost 1,500, with millions more in need

UN aid chief Tom Fletcher said the death toll could continue to soar, noting that more than 50,000 people were missing.

Published on June 28, 2026, at 1:36 am (Paris), updated on June 28, 2026, at 10:55 am Le Monde with AFP

News

France counts 74 drowning deaths since June 18 amid record-breaking heatwave

Much of western Europe has been baking under a 'heat dome' this week, and the extreme conditions have come earlier than is usual this summer.

Published on June 27, 2026, at 11:45 pm (Paris), updated on June 28, 2026, at 11:41 am Le Monde with AP and AFP

Editorial

France heatwave: Why adaptation and mitigation must go hand in hand

To respond to climate change, authorities must urgently implement policies to make rising temperatures bearable for the public, without abandoning addressing the root cause of climate change.

Published on June 27, 2026, at 3:10 pm (Paris) Le Monde

Your stories

Venezuelans call for help to rescue survivors from rubble after twin earthquakes

International aid has only just begun to arrive, while local residents have been trying to clear the rubble with their bare hands since Wednesday. As the hours go by, the death toll of 920, along with 50,000 missing, is likely to rise.

Published on June 27, 2026, at 12:29 pm (Paris) Angeline Montoya

Interview

'Venezuela is an earthquake-prone country. 80% of the population lives above the most active faults'

As the provisional death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck the country's Northwest on Wednesday reaches 920, Feliciano De Santis, president of the Venezuelan Geological Society, told Le Monde that strong aftershocks are likely.

Published on June 27, 2026, at 4:28 am (Paris), updated on June 27, 2026, at 10:19 am Marie Delcas

Your stories

Parents outraged by lack of school guidelines during heatwave: 'We've had to scramble to make childcare arrangements'

As classroom conditions worsen, parents have tried to adapt by working from home, taking time off or relying on other adults for help. All have criticized the authorities' lack of preparation and have expressed concern for the years ahead.

Published on June 27, 2026, at 3:47 am (Paris), updated on June 27, 2026, at 10:32 am Eléa Pommiers

Interview

Labor Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou: 'We cannot bring France to a halt every time it hits 30°C'

With the intense heatwave exposing many workers to dangerous temperatures, the labor minister rejected the idea of climate leave, but said he was open to holding talks with unions and employers' organizations on how to better organize working conditions during extreme weather events.

Published on June 27, 2026, at 12:00 am (Paris), updated on June 27, 2026, at 8:57 am Thibaud Métais

Feature

Heatwave fuels frustration in Paris's northern suburbs: 'If they'd just given us shutters, we wouldn't be suffering like this'

Over the past week, daily life in two large concrete housing complexes in Seine-Saint-Denis has changed dramatically due to extreme heat. Residents share their struggles and anger as they try to help each other cope.

Published on June 26, 2026, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Véronique Chocron

News

Toddler dies after found in hot car in Marseille during France heatwave

The death is the latest in a string of fatal hot-car incidents involving young children this week, as France recorded its hottest day on Tuesday, then broke that record again on Wednesday.

Published on June 26, 2026, at 6:01 pm (Paris), updated on June 26, 2026, at 6:17 pm Le Monde with AFP

In Depth

As Parisians seek heatwave relief, canal swimming proves difficult to supervise

A section of the Canal Saint-Martin has been open for swimming, under regulated conditions, since June 16. But police and staff are struggling to keep the excitement in check, as a massive influx of young people look to cool off.

Published on June 26, 2026, at 5:00 pm (Paris), updated on June 26, 2026, at 6:20 pm Hélène Bekmezian

News

Sleeping in a cellar, waiting at a funeral home, riding the tram: How the French are improvising to survive the heatwave

Residents describe the sometimes unusual strategies they have adopted to endure the heat. Their improvised solutions highlight the shortcomings in climate change adaptation.

Published on June 26, 2026, at 4:00 pm (Paris) Audrey Garric

News

US Supreme Court ruling could shield Bayer from thousands of lawsuits relating Roundup to cancer

The justices ruled that the agrochemical giant could not be held liable for failing to warn about the health risks associated with its glyphosate-based products.

Published on June 26, 2026, at 3:00 pm (Paris) Cécile Boutelet Stéphane Foucart

In Depth

Heatwave: Macron and PM Lecornu on the defensive after criticism over France's lack of preparation

President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu insist they have taken the necessary steps, as criticism mounts over successive governments' failure to anticipate the effects of climate change.

Published on June 26, 2026, at 12:51 pm (Paris) Mariama Darame Nathalie Segaunes

News

French hospitals at 'tipping point' after seven days of heatwave

Emergency services saw the health consequences of the heatwave accelerate within 24 hours, between Wednesday and Thursday. The prime minister activated level 3 of the ORSAN plan, which is designed to increase hospital staffing levels.

Published on June 26, 2026, at 12:00 pm (Paris), updated on June 26, 2026, at 3:08 pm Mattea Battaglia Camille Stromboni

News

Paris Pride march postponed over heatwave

Paris police had said they would ban the event for LGBTQ+ rights on Saturday afternoon if organizers did not comply, as response services are already under pressure due to extreme heat in the French capital.

Published on June 26, 2026, at 11:53 am (Paris), updated on June 26, 2026, at 3:56 pm Le Monde with AFP

News

French public energy company EDF and others pledge over €130 million to cool schools

After a heatwave this week forced thousands of schools, most of which lack air conditioning, to close, EDF said it would fund over 100,000 cooling systems in more than 10,000 schools, and other lenders pledged to adapt 12,500 schools.

Published on June 26, 2026, at 10:03 am (Paris), updated on June 26, 2026, at 11:58 am Le Monde with AFP

News

Venezuelans search for survivors after two earthquakes kill at least 920

Search operations are continuing in the rubble of collapsed buildings in an attempt to rescue people trapped there, in the aftermath of two extremely powerful earthquakes.

Published on June 26, 2026, at 7:47 am (Paris), updated on June 26, 2026, at 8:30 pm Le Monde with AFP

Your stories

'I almost faint every time I stand up': In cramped student housing, studying becomes impossible during French heatwave

Students living in tiny apartments with no way to circulate air are struggling with extreme temperatures. For many of them, this coincides with exam season.

Published on June 26, 2026, at 4:05 am (Paris), updated on June 26, 2026, at 8:12 am Charlotte Bozonnet

News

How cities in Africa are adapting to intense and deadly heat

Reflective paints, green roofs, work breaks: Many African countries are seeking innovative ways to cope with increasingly extreme temperatures.

Published on June 26, 2026, at 2:47 am (Paris), updated on June 26, 2026, at 8:27 am Laurence Caramel

In Depth

Pesticide use rises again in France, especially for PFAS chemicals

Amid the lack of a recent update to the government's longstanding pesticide-use indicator, the advocacy group Générations Futures released its own calculation Thursday, based on product sales data and using the official methodology.

Published on June 25, 2026, at 9:37 pm (Paris), updated on June 26, 2026, at 8:02 am Stéphane Foucart Stéphane Mandard

News

Paris bans public drinking as heatwave overwhelms hospitals

Paris will ban public drinking and takeaway alcohol sales from Friday, after the city's police chief said hospital capacity in the capital is nearing a breaking point and fire brigade call-outs had doubled to over 2,500 on Thursday alone.

Published on June 25, 2026, at 9:05 pm (Paris) Le Monde with AFP

News

Court rules oil and gas giant TotalEnergies must account for its clients' CO₂ emissions

Since 2020, a coalition of advocacy groups and the Paris city authority have taken TotalEnergies to court to force it to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. This latest ruling now requires the oil and gas major to include its clients' emissions in its own due diligence plan, which marks a significant step forward.

Published on June 25, 2026, at 6:19 pm (Paris) Stéphane Mandard

News

Heatwave drives surge in movie theater attendance

Between June 17 and 23, ticket sales rose by 50% compared to the same week in 2025, surpassing three million moviegoers across France.

Published on June 25, 2026, at 5:40 pm (Paris) Nicole Vulser

Feature

'Impossible to sleep': A night in sweltering France, in search of a cool spot

With a heatwave bearing down, the French have taken to living after dark, chasing relief from the sun's lingering grip. From Paris to Saint-Malo, by way of Orléans, parks and pools stirred to life as soon as the day ended.

Published on June 25, 2026, at 5:29 pm (Paris) Hélène Bekmezian, Benjamin Keltz, Victor Riallais, Rafael Yaghobzadeh and Sylvia Zappi

In Depth

Water shortages and heat waves: France on track toward severe summer drought

Rivers, groundwater tables and soils are under severe strain from insufficient rain and soaring temperatures. The situation has led many departments to set water restrictions, and many fear a challenging summer for water management.

Published on June 25, 2026, at 5:06 pm (Paris) Léa Sanchez