Germany: Berlin sees soaring demand for air conditioning amid intense heatwave.

Shotlist Berlin, Germany - June 28, 2026 1. Various of people, fountain amid heatwave 2. Various of people in stores, portable air conditioners, electric fans 3. SOUNDBITE (German) Berlin resident (no name given): "I think real heatwaves used to be very rare. The current high temperature is completely new to me. So I didn't need an air conditioner before." 4. People amid heatwave 5. SOUNDBITE (German) Berlin resident (no name given) (starting with shot 4): "The installation (of an air conditioner) could be trouble. I'm living in an old house, and there are also cost issues. I'm living alone and doing an internship. I can't afford the cost." 6. Various of building 7. SOUNDBITE (German) Berlin resident (no name given): "If I build my own house in the future, I will definitely install an air conditioner. But now I'm renting a house, so I don't think much about that. It's too expensive. And it's not worth it if I spend the money without even knowing how long I will live in the house I rent." 8. SOUNDBITE (German) Berlin resident (no name given): "I think so too. If it's this hot every summer in the future, I will seriously consider buying a portable air conditioner and putting it into the window, or installing an air conditioner when I build my own house in the future. But I probably won't consider it now." 9. Various of building Storyline Germany's capital city Berlin is seeing a soaring demand for air conditioning amid rounds of heatwaves that have swept across the country. The highest temperature in the country reached 41.5 degrees Celsius in the eastern village of Moeckern-Drewitz on Saturday, setting a new national record, according to the German Weather Service. It marked the second straight day Germany broke its previous all-time high of 41.2 degrees Celsius, set in July 2019. With the maximum temperature approaching 40 degrees Celsius, Berlin experienced its most intense heatwave this summer during the past weekend. Air conditioners quickly sold out at three large home appliance stores in the city, as residents who had previously not needed home cooling equipment rushed to make purchases. "I think real heatwaves used to be very rare. The current high temperature is completely new to me. So I didn't need an air conditioner before," said a local resident in Berlin. With demand for fixed air conditioners surpassing supply, electric fans and portable air conditioners became the best alternative for many residents. In addition, the installation of an air conditioner is often a complex process. Many Germans live in rented houses, where air-conditioner installation requires the consent of the landlord and the owners' organization. Cities like Berlin have large numbers of old residences, and regulations in terms of facades, window structures, electric wires and noises also make the installation process complicated. "The installation (of an air conditioner) could be trouble. I'm living in an old house, and there are also cost issues. I'm living alone and doing an internship. I can't afford the cost," said a resident in Berlin. "If I build my own house in the future, I will definitely install an air conditioner. But now I'm renting a house, so I don't think much about that. It's too expensive. And it's not worth it if I spend the money without even knowing how long I will live in the house I rent," another resident said. "I think so too. If it's this hot every summer in the future, I will seriously consider buying a portable air conditioner and putting it into the window, or installing an air conditioner when I build my own house in the future. But I probably won't consider it now," said a resident accompanying her. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]