Hot Philly schools, EPA workers declare dissent, city union on strike & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:

Over half of Philadelphia’s K-12 students are overheating in schools. 58 percent of Philly’s public school students attend class in extreme urban heat zones, according to a recent analysis by Climate Central. These zones are at least 8°F hotter than surrounding rural areas due to an urban built environment that has a low concentration of heat-reducing greenery. Climate Central

EPA workers publicly declare dissent from federal administration. Over 400 workers across all regions of the Environmental Protection Agency signed a Declaration of Dissent to Administrator Lee Zeldin, due to “the current administration’s focus on harmful deregulation, mischaracterization of previous EPA actions, and disregard for scientific expertise.” Signatories expressed five concerns, including increased pollution and fearmongering. Read the declaration here. 

City union AFSCME District Council 33 on strike. Contract negotiations between Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 33 have soured; the union is now on strike after five months of stalled contract negotiations, according to their president. The DC33 strike affects several essential city services, including: 911 dispatch for fire and police; trash and recycling collection; and water department repairs and service. The Philadelphia Inquirer

EPA releases $88.9 million to address water contamination. States in EPA Region 3 received over $88 million in grant funding to help small and disadvantaged communities address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. Exposure to PFAS is linked to adverse public health effects, including developmental delays in children and increased risk of certain cancers. 

SEPTA approves budget with service cuts. The SEPTA board voted to approve its Fiscal Year 2026 budget plan, which includes service cuts, fare increases, and curfews due to a $213 million budget deficit. Cuts will go into effect in just over one month. Grassroots organizers Transit Forward Philadelphia are continuing their canvassing efforts in support of the public transit agency. CBS Philadelphia

Cover image: Climate Central