A climate simulation event in Paris recently gave participants a glimpse into the reality of extreme heat, exposing them to a simulated 50°C (122°F) heatwave. Organized by the Foundation for the Housing of the Disadvantaged, the event took place in a mobile simulator called Climate Sense, which was set up on a public square. The simulator, developed by the Human Adaptation Institute, recreated conditions that would occur during a severe heatwave, including tasks like climbing 15 floors without an elevator and performing everyday activities under intense heat. Objects within the simulator, such as a boiling metal stove and scalding baby bottles, became physically challenging to handle under the simulated conditions. Among those who participated was Eli, a 24-year-old baker, and Michel Lepage, a 68-year-old retired man from Quebec. Both experienced a noticeable increase in body temperature after just 30 minutes in the 50°C environment. Sylvie, 65, left the simulator after only 10 minutes, describing the experience as claustrophobic and recalling the heat she felt this summer. She expressed concern about the effects of global warming and how it might impact future generations. Christian Clot, director of the Human Adaptation Institute, urged participants to imagine enduring such temperatures for an entire day or even several days. Maïder Olivier, a climate advocacy officer at the Foundation for the Housing of the Disadvantaged, emphasized that the simulation was not a hypothetical scenario, pointing to real-world measurements of 46°C (115°F) recorded at a friend's home and 45°C (113°F) outdoor temperatures during recent heatwaves. She warned that homes without protective shutters could reach 50°C during such events, making them unsafe for occupants. The foundation highlighted that half of the housing in France may not be equipped to handle extreme heat, which could lead to serious health risks. Olivier noted that the first draft of the 2027 budget did not include provisions for addressing this issue, but she pointed out that the government's "Relance logement" bill includes measures to help install shutters. The foundation is now pushing for a state investment of 1.1 billion euros in 2027 to install shutters and air circulators across the country, aiming to improve resilience against future heatwaves.