Sweltering Temperatures Disrupt Start of New School Year, Highlighting Urgent Need for Climate-Resilient Schools
An intense late-summer heatwave sweeping across a significant portion of the United States has caused multiple schools to cancel classes early or dismiss students ahead of schedule. This situation has underscored the lack of preparedness of many school districts to handle extreme weather events, which are becoming increasingly common due to climate change.
Instances of schools grappling with the heat wave were reported from Des Moines to Chicago, where school bus drivers endured challenging conditions, and teachers took measures like dimming lights and closing shades to make classrooms more tolerable. In a striking example, a marching band instructor equipped students with water backpacks to prevent heat-related issues even as early as 7:30 a.m.
Sweltering Temperatures Disrupt Start of New School Year, Highlighting Urgent Need for Climate-Resilient Schools
The scorching temperatures and high humidity, affecting regions from the upper Midwest to the Southeast, have exacerbated the difficulties of commencing a new school year. This situation has prompted discussions among education experts and parents about the necessity of enhancing schools’ resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Karen White, the deputy executive director at the National Education Association, stressed that sending students and educators into excessively hot environments hinders the learning process. She emphasized the urgency of updating school infrastructure to protect students from danger as the climate continues to change and warm.
On the first day of school in Des Moines, the temperature soared to a record high of 100 degrees. Unfortunately, only a small fraction of the public school district’s buses (five out of 130) were equipped with air conditioning, causing discomfort for many students during their ride home. By the end of the day, 15 bus drivers had to be treated for signs of heat exhaustion, with one driver requiring hospitalization.
Sweltering Temperatures Disrupt Start of New School Year, Highlighting Urgent Need for Climate-Resilient Schools
In Concordia, Missouri, concerns were raised when a 6-year-old asthmatic student arrived home soaked in sweat on the first day of school. The extreme temperatures and lack of air conditioning on buses prompted his parents to find alternative transportation arrangements for their son, despite the inconvenience.
Molly McGee Hewitt, the executive director of the National Association for Pupil Transportation, acknowledged that some regions unaccustomed to such extreme heat during the school year have been slow to invest in necessary infrastructure improvements, such as air conditioning. While air conditioning might have been considered optional in the past, it is now being recognized as essential.
Sweltering Temperatures Disrupt Start of New School Year, Highlighting Urgent Need for Climate-Resilient Schools
A Government Accountability Office report in 2020 revealed that around 41 percent of school districts had inadequate heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in at least half of their schools. While some districts invested in upgrading air filtration systems due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption of air conditioning has been slower.
Schools like Marshall Elementary School in Dubuque, Iowa, had to shorten their school days due to high temperatures. Teachers took measures to ensure students remained hydrated, but the heat still took a toll on some students.
Daniel Krumm, a drum instructor, shared how new protocols were established to protect students during intense heat. Students were provided with hydration backpacks and were reminded to drink water regularly.
Sweltering Temperatures Disrupt Start of New School Year, Highlighting Urgent Need for Climate-Resilient Schools
However, inadequate infrastructure and outdated facilities continue to pose risks to both students and educators. Teachers, like Shannon McCann in Federal Way, Washington, found themselves struggling to maintain a safe environment during heatwaves. These challenges particularly affect less affluent communities that may lack resources for necessary upgrades.
Harvard University Professor Joseph G. Allen, who leads the Harvard Healthy Buildings Program, emphasized that schools failing to adapt to climate change would ultimately harm student learning. He highlighted how the lack of investment in climate-resilient schools exacerbates inequalities in the education system.
Sweltering Temperatures Disrupt Start of New School Year, Highlighting Urgent Need for Climate-Resilient Schools
The heatwave-induced disruptions in schools serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address climate impacts on educational facilities.