More schools in cooler climates now need costly air conditioning

As heat waves move north, schools that once didn’t need air conditioning are now facing high costs to keep classrooms cool.

Anna Phillips and Veronica Penney report for The Washington Post.

In short:

Many schools built before the 1970s are struggling with higher temperatures due to climate change.
The estimated cost to install air conditioning in affected schools exceeds $40 billion.
School districts are struggling to secure funding for necessary upgrades.

Key quote:

“We have had situations where it’s been 88 degrees outside but the real feel in the classrooms is well over 90 degrees because of the humidity.”

— Shari Obrenski, president of the Cleveland Teachers Union

Why this matters:

Rising temperatures can disrupt education and pose health risks to students and staff. Without adequate cooling, schools may experience more closures, affecting academic performance and well-being. The situation is particularly challenging for low-income districts that may lack the resources to make these necessary upgrades.

www.washingtonpost.com

More schools in cooler climates now need costly air conditioning

Judge allows Trump to cut more than $1bn in National Science Foundation grants

Wright and Burgum urge Europe to rethink methane curbs

Carbon capture – the get-out-of-jail-free card that does not actually work

In the Pacific, unkept U.S. promises on climate cut deep

Vanishing Bayous: On a boat at ground zero for sea level rise

Department of Energy allocates $134 million for fusion funding

Study finds Indigenous territories of Amazon rainforest can protect humans from disease

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.