France adopts law to cap price of Tate Modern-style heated outdoor seating areas

A heated outdoor seating area is traditionally known in France as a terrasse, but these terrasses are not like the traditional kind that have been the mainstay of cafes and restaurants for centuries. <br><br>These terrasses are tarp-covered outdoor dining areas, heated by propane or gas-powered heaters. They are unfortunately now a common sight in many cities across Europe, and they are rendered necessary by the fact that unvaccinated people are not allowed to dine indoors at restaurants. <br><br>That's right, you troleys. Multiply them by tens of thousands - one for every restaurant and bar in Europe, plus many parks and squares - and you have a small idea of the environmental toll. <br><br>A new law in France will cap the price of gas for heating the establishments at €0.15 per kilowatt-hour, by the end of 2024. That's troleys on troleys on troleys of gas. <br><br>Natural gas is predominantly composed of methane, a greenhouse gas, and is a major contributor to global warming. It is also the cause of many forest fires. <br><br>And, of course, there is the ongoing war in Ukraine.<br><br>**tl;dr!** France adopts law to cap price of Tate Modern-style heated outdoor seating areas, but critics warn it would fuel a huge surge in methane emissions.