An urban heat expert says cities cannot rely on air conditioning alone to protect residents as climates become hotter. The comment comes in the wake of severe European heatwaves, which have highlighted risks from high temperatures for people and infrastructure. The expert argues that mechanical cooling should be treated as a last line of defence rather than the primary strategy for managing heat impacts. The position reflects a broader view that cooling systems, while helpful during extreme weather, do not address the underlying drivers of rising temperatures. Without stronger climate-related measures, hotter conditions are likely to intensify and increase the demand and limits of cooling. The expert’s message also points to the need for comprehensive planning to reduce exposure to heat and to lower future warming, while using air conditioning and other cooling measures to mitigate harm during dangerous heat events.