{"id":267,"date":"2024-07-15T23:40:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-15T23:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/shaun-abreu\/?p=267"},"modified":"2024-07-16T14:41:16","modified_gmt":"2024-07-16T14:41:16","slug":"columbia-spectator-community-advocates-raise-concerns-over-extreme-summer-heat-in-west-harlem-as-city-budget-cuts-affect-cooling-centers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/shaun-abreu\/2024\/07\/15\/columbia-spectator-community-advocates-raise-concerns-over-extreme-summer-heat-in-west-harlem-as-city-budget-cuts-affect-cooling-centers\/","title":{"rendered":"Columbia Spectator: Community advocates raise concerns over extreme summer heat in West Harlem as city budget cuts affect cooling centers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Read the full article here.<\/a><\/p>\n

By Surina Vankat<\/strong><\/p>\n

Throughout New York City, libraries and senior centers play a crucial role during periods of extreme heat\u2014they serve as some of the city\u2019s cooling centers, providing air-conditioned facilities that residents can go to to cool off in when a heat advisory warning is issued. Though Mayor Eric Adams\u2019 new fiscal budget restored previously cut funding<\/a> for libraries, the budget will heavily reduce funding to three of West Harlem\u2019s six cooling centers and decrease funding to parks, during one of the hottest summers on record, and with temperatures expected to rise in the next several years as well.<\/p>\n

The Adams\u2019 administration announced on June 27 plans to restore $58 million of planned budget cuts to the NYPL system, which will allow three cooling centers in West Harlem \u2014 the Morningside Heights, George Bruce, and Hamilton Grange libraries \u2014 to retain previously cut universal six-day service and potentially reopen on Sundays.<\/p>\n

The city advises residents, especially those without A\/C in their homes, to use cooling centers on days of high temperatures. However, the new budget has also significantly reduced funding to senior centers, which constitute three of the six cooling centers available in West Harlem.<\/p>\n

The Jackie Robinson, PSS Manhattanville, and Hamilton Grange senior centers along with close to 300 other senior centers across New York City face budget cuts of $20.1 million over the next four years in addition to the $18.9 million budget cut they sustained this fiscal year. Additionally, parks\u2014another crucial cooling site\u2014have seen their funding fall by $20 million.<\/p>\n

Heat advisory warnings are issued during heat waves\u2014two or more days with temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit\u2014and on individual days when temperatures rise above 100 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Such warnings have been issued for a total of nine days so far this summer, including the six-day heat wave that began on June 18.<\/p>\n

Mona Hemmati, a postdoctoral researcher in extreme weather events at the Climate School, said that heat waves are deadly yet \u201cunderappreciated\u201d natural disasters.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are a silent killer,\u201d Hemmati said. She noted that although heat remains the deadliest cause of weather-related fatalities, people don\u2019t register it as an immediate threat because there are no visible economic consequences. Hurricanes, for example, often cause millions in property damage while heat waves rarely result in tangible, large-scale destruction.<\/p>\n

Hemmati added that heat waves in New York City can be particularly deadly because of the \u201cheat island effect\u201d\u2014a phenomenon where buildings, roads, and other man-made structures absorb and radiate the sun\u2019s heat, intensifying temperatures.<\/p>\n

In a statement to Spectator, New York City Council member Shaun Abreu, CC \u201914, who represents Manhattan District 7, emphasized the importance of cooling centers in keeping New York City residents safe during days of extreme heat.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur city shouldn\u2019t have to scramble to locate new centers when we already know the best defense against brutal heat: fully funding our parks and libraries,\u201d Abreu wrote. \u201cIt isn\u2019t random that neighborhoods with fewer trees, fewer parks, and older housing that is harder to cool often bear the brunt of this debilitating weather. It is because we have to constantly beg for investments in what are basic public goods.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Read the full article here.<\/a><\/p>\n

By Surina Vankat<\/strong><\/p>\n

Throughout New York City, libraries and senior centers play a crucial role during periods of extreme heat\u2014they serve as some of the city\u2019s cooling centers, providing air-conditioned facilities that residents can go to to cool off in when a heat advisory warning is issued.<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

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