Axios - Most K-12 public students in the biggest U.S. cities attend schools in extreme urban heat zones, a new analysis finds. The heat island effect can make some neighborhoods notably warmer than others, especially during heat waves.
- Many schools lack adequate air conditioning, jeopardizing students' health and learning abilities in periods of extreme heat.
About 76% of public K-12 students in the 65 most populous U.S. cities attend schools where the heat island effect increases temperatures by at least 8°F, per a new analysis from Climate Central.
Some districts had early dismissals, canceled classes, or even ended the school year early amid the recent heat wave, The Hill reports.
- "Tens of thousands of public schools" need new or upgraded HVAC systems to meet increased cooling needs, per a 2024 Center for American Progress report.
- Urban heat islands are more common in lower-income and non-white neighborhoods, researchers have found.
Some cities are trying to alleviate heat islands — by planting trees and using reflective road paint, for example — albeit with mixed results. Full story
No comments:
Post a Comment