World
Heat in Madrid: A week without air conditioning to test alternatives
In Madrid, where maximum temperatures reached around 37°C in the two weeks leading up to July 18, 2026, a journalist spent an entire week without turning on her air conditioning at her news outlet's request. The test aimed to evaluate alternatives to artificial cooling. Three solutions were tested: a desk fan, applying cold water to pulse points, and a cooling blanket. The first two proved effective; the third disappointed, producing a sensation of heat rather than coolness.