Europe’s current heat wave is so bad the French are considering banning outdoor drinking and adopting AC ‘if necessary’

France endured sizzling temperatures on Sunday, with trains, concerts and sports events canceled and authorities cracking down on drinking alcohol in public, as an exceptional heat wave unfurled across parts of Europe. Multiple drownings were reported as people sought relief in whatever water they could find. About a third of France is under a “red alert” for heat, and high temperatures reached 40 C (104 F) in some areas, in a country where air conditioning isn’t widespread. The forecast for Monday is even hotter. The Eiffel Tower and other Paris venues set up misting stations to cool down crowds. Tourists in Rome dunked in fountains. Over the last four years, more than 200,000 people across Europe died from heat-related causes, and most of the fatalities were preventable, the World Health Organization’s Europe office said this month. More above-average temperatures are expected this summer, which can cause heat exhaustion and life-threatening heat stroke. Human-caused climate change is tied to increasing extreme weather, and U.N. climate agency projections say the next five years should shatter more heat records. A rapid study found that human-caused climate change was responsible for killing about 1,500 people in an unusually early European heat wave in May. Waterways offer comfort, and dangers In this latest European hot spell, French media reported that four children drowned Saturday. Summer drownings are an annual problem that health authorities say worsens during hot spells. One man drowned in southwestern Germany and three others were missing after swimming in the Rhine River, the German news agency dpa reported. Canal Saint Martin in Paris drew throngs Sunday splashing and diving off a bridge, despite authorities’ attempts to control the crowds. “With this heat, it’s the only way to have fun while going out,″ swimmer Nicolas Cruz told The Associated Press. Zouzou Hobbs was skeptical at first of swimming in the murky urban canal. ”But it’s hot. I’m goin