Welcome to our weekly newsletter focusing on environmental trends and solutions leading us towards a more sustainable world.
I’m Emily, and I’m always impressed by the heat levels in subway stations. The concept of utilizing this excess heat for cooling purposes elsewhere intrigues me. I’ve previously explored heating buildings using waste heat from sources like nuclear power plants, paper mills, and sewers. So, why not apply this idea to subways?
This week’s highlights include:
– Canadian technology targeting subway cooling in New York City
– Understanding how wildfires generate thunderclouds
– Exploring ‘wishcycling’ and the crackdown on this practice in some areas
Underground subway stations, globally recognized for their increasing heat levels, have led to complaints from transit users. In cities like Montreal, temperatures inside subway stations have soared to 38 degrees Celsius.
A Canadian company is currently testing an energy-efficient cooling solution in New York City’s subway system. Cascara Energy, based in Toronto, in partnership with New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, is implementing a radiant cooling system in the ceiling arches of the East Broadway station. This innovative system utilizes chilled water-filled pipes to absorb heat, thus providing a cooler experience for passengers passing underneath.
Different from conventional air conditioning systems, this technology is more compact, easier to maintain, and boasts 25 to 35 percent higher efficiency. The objective is not only to enhance passenger comfort but also to potentially recycle the extracted heat for other purposes, as reported by the MTA in its October 2025 Climate Resilience Roadmap.
Subway environments accumulate heat from various sources including individuals, electronics, and train systems. The technology developed by Cascara Energy aims to capture and utilize this heat effectively, potentially reducing the reliance on fossil fuels for heating applications.
The London Underground has already implemented a system to recover waste heat from its tunnels, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of this approach. Cascara Energy’s founder, Robert Croghan, is optimistic about the success of the New York City pilot project and believes it could inspire other transit systems to adopt similar innovations.
Emily Chung
Previous editions of What on Earth? and more climate-related content can be found on the CBC News climate page. Explore our podcast and radio show for in-depth discussions on environmental issues.
