Rising temps put students on hot seat
As kids across the country begin to return to school, that usually means summer is coming to an end. But the heat remains, meaning many of those kids will be on the hot seat as outdated infrastructure and equipment are no match for rising temperatures.
Overheating and other weather-related hazards in schools is expected to worsen through this century and beyond, but schools in the United States were largely built for a different climate. Record-breaking temperatures year after year have led to academic and health challenges for students and staff with measurable impacts on cognitive function, academic performance, and engagement, particularly in areas that are not used to hot weather.
Many schools, even in previously cooler areas of the country, such as the northeast and pacific northwest, now have weeks with temperatures over 80 degrees F, and fall temperatures in classrooms are now high enough to make learning a challenge. A survey of school districts by the Government Accountability Office reported that, of 41 percent of these districts, over half required HVAC system replacement. According to the Washington Post, “nearly 40 percent of schools in the United States were built before the 1970s, when temperatures were cooler and fewer buildings needed air conditioning.”
Air quality issues related to heat are also on the rise, such as ozone pollution, a longer pollen season, and wildfire smoke, all known to trigger allergies and asthma. Students encountering these conditions are struggling, becoming dehydrated, dizzy, unable to concentrate, listless, and finding it difficult to participate both in and out of the classroom. Many schools have been forced to dismiss students early in the warm months of May through August. This effect is greater on disadvantaged students who may not have air conditioning at home.
Extreme heat also affects teachers and district staff who work full time in schools. In 2022, a lack of air conditioning was one of the factors that led to teachers in Ohio’s largest school district to go on strike. Classrooms without air conditioning also have a quantifiable effect on student performance. A large scale study of New York City high schools found that taking a test on a 90 degree day, compared to a 72 degree day, resulted in a 12.3% high likelihood of failing the exam. This is due to poor indoor environmental quality in the classroom, an issue that if left unaddressed will only worsen as our global climate continues to warm.
Safeguarding schools, students and staff for the future can start today. U.S. CHPS 2.0 has actionable solutions for maintaining safe and healthy learning spaces, using strategies such as the following to mitigate the effects of high temperatures and improve air quality in schools:
● climate risk assessment
● passive habitability
● resilient power and energy
● climate adaptation
● biophilic design
● reducing heat islands
● thermal comfort
● enhanced ventilation
● reducing carbon and GHG emissions in construction and operations
● low-emitting materials
To learn more about how school systems across the country are using high performance building strategies to prepare for the future today, check out these events from the Center for Green Schools:
Webinar: Learn extreme heat mitigation strategies at schools, including schoolyards, ventilation systems, and resilient power systems, through case studies and research presented by school leaders and field experts. Wednesday, Aug. 28, from 1-2:30 pm EST. In-person: Planning for Climate Resilience Summit, Sept. 10-11, Austin, TX.
Registration for both events is free. Visit their events webpage here for more details.
For more information on how CHPS’ criteria address heat mitigation and indoor air quality, contact us: Team@chps.net.
– Jocelyn Groom
(An experienced sustainability professional Jocelyn Groom is a member of the CHPS project review team. You can reach her at: jgroom@chps.net)