Floatlab on Schuylkill, PGW debates electric vs gas future, new pedestrian safety measures & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:

Heat health emergency ends. Last week, the Department of Public Health declared a Heat Health Emergency, putting special emergency heat programs, such as cooling centers, into effect. Higher temperatures in the region can be attributed to overall shifts in weather patterns due to climate change. The city lifted the emergency but still warned Philadelphians to be cautious, especially during the many events happening around the city this summer, FIFA, and America’s 250th birthday.  

New pedestrian refuge islands are coming to Chestnut Street. The Streets Department of Transportation announced the construction of new pedestrian refuge islands along Chestnut Street in West Philly. Refuge islands are concrete raised medians where pedestrians can wait to cross the street, improving pedestrian safety at busy intersections. The new islands are in addition to eleven islands constructed in 2025.  

PGW promises lower carbon footprint but leaves questions on the table. At a public engagement session earlier this month, Philadelphia Gas Works presented two models for lowering its carbon footprint: a fully electric system, or a hybrid approach that would still include natural gas. Attendees provided public comment, but PGW officials did not respond to questions or comments. One commenter, Dr. Paul Bottone, a physician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said, “As a pediatrician and as a healthcare professional, I just want to be totally clear that from the health perspective, gas is really basically a nightmare.” WHYY

Floating art installation comes to the Schuylkill. Floatlab is a circular, floating public art and science structure that just arrived at Bartram’s Garden and will be open to the public starting in September. Floatlab will allow visitors to walk on top of the river, get an up-close view of wildlife, and observe the river’s tidal nature as it rises and falls. 6 ABC

Vacant lot greening program expands to Chester. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s vacant lot greening program, LandCare, is expanding into Chester, Pennsylvania. Through LandCare, PHS will maintain approximately 100,000 square feet of greened lots in Chester, adding to the 12,000 lots it maintains in Philadelphia. This marks the first time the program has extended beyond Philadelphia. 

Cover photo: Chester LandCare press conference, courtesy of Morgan Horell and PHS