children s health
Newsletter
Schools look for shade solutions to keep recess outside during extreme heat
Kids in cities like Chicago and Los Angeles are being kept indoors for recess due to dangerously high temperatures, and schools are exploring ways to provide shade and keep outdoor play safe.
In short:
- Many schools in the U.S. are canceling outdoor recess as extreme heat increasingly extends into the school year.
- Shade structures can significantly reduce heat exposure on playgrounds, but the cost of installing them can be prohibitive for many schools.
- Schools in lower-income areas tend to have less playground shade, making students in these districts more vulnerable to heat.
Key quote:
“In many parts of the country, you are going to see school districts that are spending the first two weeks—even up to a month—with indoor recess.”
— Paul Chinowsky, director of the environmental-design program at the University of Colorado at Boulder
Why this matters:
Heat-related health risks for children are growing, and without adequate shade or cooling options, schools may have to sacrifice outdoor play, which is vital for kids’ development. Ensuring equitable access to safe play spaces is essential for all children.
Related:
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High school football players face increasing heat-related risks
As climate change drives hotter summers, high school football players, especially in the Southeast, are suffering from heat-related illnesses, with some tragically dying on the field.
In short:
- At least 58 players have died from heat stroke since 1992, with five fatalities in 2024 alone.
- Heavy equipment, intense conditioning and inadequate safety measures increase players’ vulnerability to heat illness.
- Many states lack comprehensive policies, emergency plans and resources like cooling equipment to protect athletes.
Key quote:
“We know that heat stroke is the most severe version of heat illness, is the only one that is life threatening and also know that it uniquely afflicting football players specifically at high school and collegiate levels.”
— Rebecca Stearns, chief operating officer of the Korey Stringer Institute
Why this matters:
Hotter conditions are increasing health risks for young athletes. The lack of adequate safety protocols and equipment in many school districts leaves players exposed to life-threatening situations.
Related EHN coverage:
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Credit: Dimitris Vetsikas/Pixabay
Schools redesign playgrounds to handle rising heat
To protect children from extreme heat, schools are replacing asphalt with trees, shade structures and water features across some of the hottest regions in the U.S.
In short:
- Schools in Arizona, California and other heat-prone areas are adding shade canopies, trees and irrigation to cool playgrounds and make outdoor spaces safer for children.
- Many districts face financial challenges in implementing these changes, which require significant maintenance costs like irrigation and gardening.
- California has allocated nearly $150 million for heat-relief schoolyard projects, including playground retrofits in urban districts.
Key quote:
“These are kids who don’t cool as efficiently as adults.”
— Debra Pangrazi, head of physical education for the Mesa, Ariz. school district’s elementary schools
Why this matters:
As temperatures continue to rise due to climate change, traditional schoolyards with asphalt surfaces worsen heat exposure for young children, who are less capable of regulating body temperature. Creating cooler, shaded play areas is essential for student health and well-being.
Read more: Schools across the US are removing asphalt to reduce heat risks
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Credit: University of Salford Press Office/Flickr
London's low-emission zone got kids out of cars and onto their feet
A year after London's clean air zone was enforced, 40% of children began walking or biking to school instead of being driven, according to new research.
In short:
- A study found that 40% of kids in London's ultra-low emissions zone switched from car rides to walking or biking within a year of the policy's start.
- In contrast, only 20% of children in the control group city, Luton, made the same switch, with an equal number starting to drive.
- Researchers say this shift could combat childhood obesity and improve both mental and physical health.
Key quote:
"Physical activity in general is vital for preventing obesity... and has benefits for children’s physical development and mental health.”
— Christina Xiao, epidemiologist at Cambridge University
Why this matters:
Research shows that penalizing driving—rather than just building bike lanes or walking paths—is often more effective at getting people out of their cars. And whether it's through incentives or penalties, the takeaway is clear: what’s good for the planet is often what’s best for the kids too. Read more: Another road is possible.
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Schools across the US are removing asphalt to reduce heat risks
Schools are transforming asphalt playgrounds into greener spaces to combat extreme heat, which has become more dangerous as temperatures rise.
In short:
- Asphalt schoolyards magnify heat risks, with some surfaces reaching 145°F, putting children at risk of burns and heat illness.
- Efforts to green these spaces are expanding, with cities like Los Angeles and Philadelphia leading projects to add trees and reduce pavement.
- Costs and funding disparities make it harder for low-income school districts to implement these changes, despite the urgency.
Key quote:
“When you plant trees, you also get benefits for children’s well-being, for their learning, for play, for community access.”
— Sharon Danks, CEO of Green Schoolyards America
Why this matters:
Extreme heat in urban schools poses a growing danger to children, especially in low-income areas. Greening schoolyards offers a solution that improves health, safety and learning conditions.
Related EHN coverage:
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Credit: Tomasz Zielonka/Unsplash
Youth climate case petition heads to Supreme Court
A group of young plaintiffs is asking the Supreme Court to allow their climate lawsuit against the federal government to proceed after lower courts dismissed it.
In short:
- Youth plaintiffs claim the U.S. government violated their constitutional rights by failing to address climate change.
- The case was previously dismissed by appellate courts, but the plaintiffs are now petitioning the Supreme Court to revive it.
- Similar cases have had success, including a settlement in Hawaii requiring the state to decarbonize its transportation system.
Key quote:
“The Department of Justice has entirely blocked our path to trial. It’s really important to us that we get a fair say in court.”
— Sahara Valentine, plaintiff
Why this matters:
The case highlights the growing legal battles over government responsibility for climate change. The outcome could set a precedent for how courts handle climate lawsuits and force policy shifts aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
Additional coverage: The court orders dismissal of a youth-led climate lawsuit against the US government
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Credit: Damian Carr/Unsplash
Electric school buses in Oakland will help stabilize the grid
Startup Zum has launched the U.S.'s largest all-electric school-bus fleet in Oakland, using these buses as grid-supporting batteries to improve both transportation and energy reliability.
In short:
- Zum deployed 74 electric school buses in Oakland, aiming to cut harmful emissions and reduce air pollution.
- The buses use vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology to charge during off-peak hours and discharge power when the grid is stressed.
- Federal and state incentives helped fund the project, but only 2% of U.S. school buses are electric.
Key quote:
"PG&E was able to step up to the challenge and deliver the energy to power these buses — and we were able to do it a year early."
— Patti Poppe, CEO of Pacific Gas & Electric
Why this matters:
Electric school buses reduce emissions and can support the grid when demand spikes, lowering reliance on fossil fuels. However, expanding this model faces hurdles due to high costs and limited infrastructure.
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