Too hot for school: Why Columbus classrooms had to add A/C

Classrooms of today need more cooling during the back-to-school season than in past decades, a new analysis finds .

Why it matters: Maintaining a comfortable and healthy learning environment is key to kids' educational success, but that's getting harder due to the warming climate.

By the numbers: A Climate Central report found that cooling demand between late July and early September increased 38% in Columbus between 1970-2023.

State of play: This is the first school year that all Columbus City Schools teaching spaces are air-conditioned after years of costly upgrades , a spokesperson tells Axios.

• Previously, students had to attend classes remotely some days due to extreme heat .
• Building conditions were one of several issues that led to a 2022 teacher's strike .