humidity
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.
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Credit: F. Muhammad/Pixabay
Houston's homeowner risks soar due to climate and crime factors
In a recent study, Houston emerges as the U.S.'s most challenging city for homeowners, grappling with natural disasters and high crime rates.
In short:
- Houston tops the U.S. in homeowner risks due to factors like flooding, extreme heat, and high property crime rates.
- ClaimGuide.org's analysis ranks cities based on various risks, including natural disasters, which significantly affect Houston.
- Houston's insurance premiums are climbing, reflecting the increasing risks and costs of homeownership in the area.
Key quote:
"With its mix of technological innovation, and Southern charm, it’s no wonder over 2.3 million people call Houston 'home.' The problem? Those homes are built on land that is prone to both extreme heat and extreme flood risk."
— ClaimGuide.org
Why this matters:
Houston's situation underscores a growing national concern: the impact of climate change and urban challenges on health and safety. This trend is crucial for homeowners and policymakers, highlighting the need for sustainable urban planning and climate adaptation strategies.
Satellites show communities of color are far more exposed to pollution in Houston, offering a potential new way to close data gaps and tackle disparities.
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Photo by luke flynt on Unsplash
Wildfires: How to travel safely as the climate changes
Climate change has made wildfires a year-round threat to travelers. Here’s how to minimize your risk, and what to do if you’re in the path of a fire.
Image by Clarence Alford from Pixabay
The South knows a hot, sticky summer. But this? ‘It’s hell’
It’s not just the heat, as Southerners have explained for generations. It’s the moist, soupy, suffocating humidity. And this year the punishing conditions have been relentless.
Photo by Erik Karits on Unsplash
What is West Nile virus and how climate change may affect its spread
Health experts worry that rising temperatures could mean West Nile, a mosquito-borne virus, will become more prevalent in less common places.
Photo by Juan Pablo Mascanfroni on Unsplash
When the ocean is 97 degrees
The world is reaching a climate tipping point. It hit 97 degrees this week in the ocean off South Florida. Not the air temperature — the ocean itself.
‘It was an accident’: the scientists who have turned humid air into renewable power
Tesla speculated electricity from thin air was possible – now the question is whether it will be possible to harness it on the scale needed to power our homes.
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