Heat waves, Academy closing & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:

Schools close for extreme heat. On Tuesday afternoon, 52 Philadelphia schools closed early due to extreme heat and lack of proper cooling systems. Although the district says it is making strides in upgrading schools, many buildings still suffer from aging infrastructure that struggles to keep up with rising temperatures. The district is continuing to move forward with a $3 billion facilities upgrade plan to address some of these concerns but will controversially close or phase out up to 50 schools to do so. 6 ABC   

Unhoused community needs more support during heat waves. A group of advocates for people experiencing homelessness is saying that the City needs to do more to support the unhoused during heat waves. People report that they have trouble finding water and that information about cooling centers is limited. Climate change is making summers increasingly dangerous for people living outside as temperatures rise. WHYY

Talks of data center in the Bellweather District. The Bellweather District in Southwest Philadelphia has been identified as a site capable of housing a large data center. The former refinery has sat vacant for years following a disastrous fire in 2019 that forced the owner to cease operations and file bankruptcy. Years of cleanup have followed, but there are still concerns from community members that the land is yet polluted. Spotlight PA  

Academy of Natural Sciences museum closes. Due to financial pressures and dwindling visitor numbers, the Academy of Natural Sciences is closing its museum on the Ben Franklin Parkway to the public at the end of September. The president and CEO, Scott Cooper, is also stepping down immediately. The museum is a space for hands-on science exploration, environmental education, and research. The goal is to relocate the Academy’s collections and sell its building at 19th and the Parkway. The Philadelphia Inquirer

Experts explain what to do with old electronics. Environmental advocates with PennEnvironment discussed how to dispose of old electronics, along with options available to consumers. In Pennsylvania, it is illegal to put certain electronics in the trash or recycling. The Philadelphia Hall Monitor

Cover photo: Graph of cooling demand from 1970 to 2023. Courtesy of Climate Central