Monique Barbut, France's Minister for Ecological Transition, reflected on the summer of 2026, which was recorded as the hottest since measurements began in 1900, with an average temperature of 24 °C—3.6 °C above the 1991-2020 average. The summer was marked by extreme heat, with 45% of the country experiencing temperatures above 40 °C at least once. Three major heat waves lasted a total of 53 days, compared to 33 in 2022. In addition to the heat, the summer was the second driest since 1959, with nearly 40% less rainfall than average. Coastal areas saw record-breaking surface temperatures, and 74 consecutive days saw at least one department classified as being at high risk of forest fires. The summer was also the sunniest on record, with more than 20% more sunlight than average, a distinction it shares with 1949. Barbut acknowledged the difficult conditions faced during the summer, including the loss of four firefighters and the tireless efforts of caregivers, farmers, and local officials. She called for a "solidary France" in response to the crisis. According to Météo-France, the extreme temperatures would have been "almost impossible" without human-induced climate change, with temperatures about 5 °C higher than an average summer from the pre-industrial era. In a future where global temperatures could rise by 4 °C, such a summer could become the norm. Barbut noted that the summer arrived faster than expected and took many by surprise. She emphasized that it was not a matter of repeating the same conditions next year, but rather preparing for a changing climate. She outlined a five-year investment plan focusing on measures such as renovating schools, adjusting exam schedules, improving access for firefighters to forested areas, and diversifying forest species to reduce vulnerability. She called for every euro invested to be aligned with the reality of climate change and urged the mobilization of French savings to support these efforts. Barbut also pointed out the need to rethink the entire French economy, using the summer as a practical example of the challenges ahead. For instance, some chip factories had to close due to water shortages. She warned that adaptation should not become a substitute for reducing carbon emissions and stressed that climate action must not be overshadowed by efforts to adjust to new conditions. However, she noted that she is part of a government that sometimes shows inconsistency, as seen in the approval of the A412 highway project, which involves cutting down 180 hectares of forest. The heat is returning before mid-September, with temperatures expected to reach 36 to 38 °C in regions such as Gard and Hérault. This indicates that the challenges posed by climate change are far from over, and the need for sustained and coordinated action remains urgent.