New York Governor Hochul signed a new law on Saturday aimed at protecting students and teachers in public schools in New York from the impact of extreme heat.
According to the law, when the temperature in classrooms reaches 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit), schools must, where feasible, move teachers and students to cooler locations. Additionally, if the classroom temperature reaches 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit), schools must take cooling measures such as turning off ceiling lights, closing curtains or blinds, using electric fans, and opening windows and doors to improve the indoor environment.
The Governor stated in a press release, “Extreme heat can significantly affect students’ focus, learning ability, and performance. Through this new law, we continue to prioritize the health and safety of children and educators, ensuring that every student in New York can learn in a safe and comfortable environment.”
The signing of this law comes at a time when global temperatures continue to rise. According to a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2024 may become the hottest year on record globally, surpassing the record set just last year. The report indicates that June of this year was the hottest June on record, August broke records as the hottest August, and September ranked as the second-hottest September in history.
With global temperatures rising year after year, many school districts in New York are working to install air conditioning equipment on campuses. However, such facilities often require millions of dollars in investment, posing a significant challenge for school resources.
The implementation of this new law aims to assist schools in prioritizing the health and safety of students and teachers through simple cooling measures when resources are limited and addressing the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions.