Sophia Schmidt covers the environment for WHYY’s PlanPhilly. Before coming to Philadelphia in 2021, Sophia reported on her home state of Delaware for Delaware Public Media and produced interviews for NPR’s “Weekend Edition.” Sophia was a 2021 Metcalf Fellow.
More from the Contributor
More than one in seven outdoor workers faced heat-related symptoms on the job last year, according to a survey by a research nonprofit.
1 week ago
Listen 1:07Philly restarts curbside trash pickup of bulky items, by appointment
Items eligible for pickup include refrigerators, large furniture, hot water heaters and even tires.
2 weeks ago
Listen 1:10SEPTA to try out hydrogen fuel cell buses as early as this fall
The 10-bus pilot is part of the agency's efforts to transition to a climate-friendly fleet. But it has attracted criticism from some environmentalists.
2 weeks ago
Listen 1:04Philly Tree Plan implementation gets underway with USDA grant
The city, school district and a group of nonprofits are officially joining forces to plant and protect more trees.
2 weeks ago
Listen 1:10Low-income Philadelphians continue to face high energy costs, analysis finds
A national nonprofit found Black and Hispanic households spend more of their income on energy than households overall.
3 weeks ago
Here’s what Harris and Trump said about climate change in the Philly debate
Trump said little about his plans, while Harris bragged about both clean energy investments and gas production.
4 weeks ago
Of the districts receiving money, the School District of Philadelphia, where damaged asbestos has repeatedly shuttered schools, received the maximum grant amount.
4 weeks ago
North Philly charter school powers up its culinary program with solar
The new off-grid solar array runs an aquaponics system in a greenhouse where students will learn to raise fish and grow vegetables.
4 weeks ago
Philly Gas Commission passes rules that limit public participation in PGW budget process
The city argues the new rules make proceedings more efficient, but climate activists say they’re being shut out.
1 month ago
‘Completely unacceptable’: Nearly two dozen Philly libraries closed this summer due to A/C issues
Philly libraries are used as cooling centers during extreme heat. But many have unreliable A/C.
1 month ago
‘We can learn from them’: Transit professionals to gather in Philly for green bus conference
It will be the first time the Zero Emissions Bus Conference has come to the East Coast. Organizers say there’s growing interest across the country.
1 month ago
Philly is creating its own environmental justice mapping tool with input from residents
At the first in a series of workshops, Philadelphians raised concerns about illegal dumping, poorly maintained trees and air pollution.
1 month ago