Sophia Schmidt
@sophia-schmidt.bsky.social
Climate/environment reporter at WHYY sschmidt@whyy.org Tips → Signal: SophiaSchmidt.42
As Philly summers get hotter, advocates say the city is falling short for people living outside. @sophia-schmidt.bsky.social reports ↓
Philly should do more to help unhoused people during heat waves, advocates say
In an open letter, a coalition of homeless people, advocates and service providers called for a heat response similar to how the city handles cold.
bit.ly
With LIHEAP delayed due to the government shutdown, over 300,000 Pa. households will wait longer for help heating their homes. Here are some other resources for help paying your energy bills ↓ via @sophia-schmidt.bsky.social
LIHEAP is delayed in Pa. due to the government shutdown. Here are other resources for energy bills
With the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program delayed, over 300,000 Pa. households will wait longer for help heating their homes.
bit.ly
The government shutdown is delaying funding for a program that helps millions of households nationwide heat their homes. Here's what that means for people in the Philadelphia area: @npr.org @whyy.org www.npr.org/2025/11/06/n...
The government shutdown is delaying an assistance program families use to heat homes
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, helps about 6 million U.S. households pay energy bills, buy fuel, or fix broken heaters. The shutdown has stalled funds.
npr.org
More than half of Philly’s libraries closed due to A/C issues this summer. Thirty-one closed due to cooling issues for a collective 3,900 hours — more than for staff shortages, the city workers strike or other building issues. "We were roasting," said one worker. via @sophia-schmidt.bsky.social
Cooling issues shuttered more than half of Philly's libraries this summer
The city's libraries closed due to cooling issues for a collective 3,900 hours — more than for staff shortages, July’s city workers strike or other building issues.
whyy.org
Tons of Philadelphia’s trash are burned in Chester. A bill in City Council could stop that. Being cleaner and greener "cannot come at the expense of a city more vulnerable than we are," said Councilmember Jamie Gauthier. via @sophia-schmidt.bsky.social
Philadelphia could stop burning its trash if this bill passes City Council
The proposal would require the city to rethink its waste disposal contracts after they expire next summer.
whyy.org
Some Philly neighborhoods, like Hunting Park, can reach 20+ degrees hotter than in greener areas. A new "cool pavement" pilot program aims to combat summer heat. via @sophia-schmidt.bsky.social
Philadelphia tests out ‘cool pavement’ in Hunting Park to combat summer heat
The city finished installing a second “cool pavement” test patch this summer. So far, results are mixed.
whyy.org
The Philadelphia area is slated for a warmer and wetter summer than normal. Today’s foray into 90-degree temps comes with a Code Orange air quality alert. via @sophia-schmidt.bsky.social
Philadelphia area expected to see a warmer and wetter summer than normal
Thursday is forecast to be Philly’s first day of the season that tops 90 degrees. It comes with a Code Orange air quality alert.
bit.ly
Climate change is raising the risk of dangerous flooding, especially in coastal communities. For some towns on the Jersey Shore, the most practical solution is raising homes off the ground.
Homes are increasingly at risk from floods. Elevation can help
Climate change is raising the risk of dangerous flooding, especially in coastal communities. For some towns on the Jersey Shore, the most practical solution is raising homes off the ground.
n.pr
If your house *almost* washed away in a hurricane, what would you do next? "My whole neighborhood got trashed. It was like an act of God that this house didn't, and I wasn't going to take that for granted, right?" Story here: www.npr.org/2025/06/10/n... @sophia-schmidt.bsky.social @whyy.org
Homes are increasingly at risk from floods. Elevation can help
Climate change is raising the risk of dangerous flooding, especially in coastal communities. For some towns on the Jersey Shore, the most practical solution is raising homes off the ground.
npr.org
Pennsylvania judge dismisses Bucks County climate lawsuit saying oil companies producing and selling crude didn't cause climate change -- individuals combusting the fuel did... from @whyynews.bsky.social's @sophia-schmidt.bsky.social whyy.org/articles/buc...
Pa. judge dismisses Bucks County’s climate lawsuit against big oil
The county hoped to make fossil fuel companies pay to help it address the impacts of climate change, such as worsening flood risk.
whyy.org