"A leader who does not invest in climate adaptation today is behaving like a casino player"

In mid-August, the perception of climate risk shifted significantly, marking a clear before and after summer 2026. The threat of climate change became tangible, affecting homes, hospitals, forests, and fields. Despite previous warnings, conveying the consequences of climate change remained challenging. The Paris Agreement set a limit of 2°C warming by the century's end, but this figure failed to instill fear, as many found it hard to relate to temperature increases. By summer 2026, it was expected that the public would grasp the reality of rising temperatures exceeding 40°C in France within 25 years, alongside severe droughts and wildfires. However, a September study revealed that without adaptation, climate change could only reduce France's GDP by 3.6% by 2050, indicating a misunderstanding of the urgency of the situation.