Hi! I’m Michelle.
I’m an engineer, a mother of 3, and a member of 350MKE. Since I’m very passionate about protecting our environment and climate, I like to participate in environmental orgs like 350. I’m originally from Milwaukee, but now I live in Switzerland. With climate change, it’s good to have a global perspective, so to provide a European viewpoint, I’ll be sharing “Climate Perspectives from Europe”. I hope you find them interesting. Please send me your thoughts and questions. You can reach me on Instagram or by email. I look forward to connecting virtually or in-person when I’m in Milwaukee visiting family. |
Public transportation & City design: october 2023. (MORE...)
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war in ukraine & eneregy crisis: december 2022. (MORE...)
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global climate strike from switzerland: September 2022. (MORE...)
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This summer's heat wave: September 2022. (MORE...)
You may have seen headlines about the recent heat waves in Europe. But what is it actually like to live here? I live with my husband and 2 young kids in Switzerland. In our city, the average high temp in July is 78°F. This summer, we were in the upper 80s and 90s (up to 97°F) for weeks in a row. Only 10% of homes in Switzerland have AC, and our apartment is not one of them. So we were sweaty and uncomfortable. I worried about the safety of my children as they slept in the heat. We did what many people do when it’s hot and there’s no AC: We put blankets in the freezer, slept with ice packs, took cold showers before bed. And on the fun side, we went to the pool and beach many times, ate popsicles, and enjoyed fun moments with our kids.
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So why don’t more people have AC over here? There are multiple reasons: in some areas, special permits are needed to install AC. Plus, our apartment, like many homes, has windows that swing open like doors. So it’s difficult to add window units.
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So, let’s keep climate action at the front of our attention. We have the solutions, and together, we can make a difference!
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