‘132F’: Meet the Man Calling Out NYC’s Infernally Hot Subway Stations

As I stepped into New York City’s sweltering subway stations last summer, I was struck by Jack Klein’s plight. The 31-year-old construction site manager has been tracking temperatures in some of Manhattan’s hottest stations for two years, documenting extreme heat conditions on social media. Temperatures can soar up to 132F (55C) in these underground hot boxes.

Klein’s efforts expose not only the immediate problem but also its broader implications. As global temperatures rise and public health suffers, it’s clear that cities like New York are merely a microcosm of a larger issue: our built environment is ill-equipped for this new climate reality.

Underground stations become heat chambers due to their design. Concrete and steel absorb and retain heat, slowly releasing it into the air. Trains pumping out hot exhaust from their AC systems exacerbate the problem. The sheer number of people packed into these spaces contributes to a temperature differential that can be as much as 20F (11C) higher than aboveground.

This has serious consequences for commuters like Italian tourist Leo, who spoke out against the heat. Older New Yorkers often downplay the issue, recalling when subway trains weren’t air-conditioned until 1993. However, nostalgia is not a viable solution in the face of climate change. As temperatures rise globally, cities struggle to adapt – and it’s not just about individual fixes or short-term solutions.

The thermal energy network plan, touted by New York City and state officials as a potential solution, is ambitious but comes with caveats. Even with a thermal battery system that captures heat from stations and stores it underground, there’s no guarantee of significant temperature drops.

We’re witnessing the culmination of decades of neglect and short-sighted planning, where infrastructure has been built without consideration for a changing climate. Now, as temperatures soar to record highs, we’re forced to confront the consequences – not just in our cities but worldwide.

London, which still doesn’t air-condition all its underground trains, is facing similar heat-related issues. This trend will continue unless we fundamentally change our approach to urban planning and infrastructure development.

For New York City, this means acknowledging the role of fossil fuels in driving extreme temperatures and taking concrete steps towards decarbonization – not just in transportation but in building design itself. Architects, engineers, and policymakers must work together to create environments that are both functional and sustainable.

Klein’s guerrilla heat-tracking efforts demonstrate individual initiative in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. His work serves as a reminder that we all have a role to play in advocating for change – whether through reporting temperature anomalies or pushing for systemic overhauls.

As I left New York’s sweltering subway stations behind, Klein’s words stuck with me: “The problem is getting worse, people are suffering more and more.” It’s time we stopped treating this as an isolated issue confined to specific cities or communities. We need a global reckoning with the unseen costs of climate change – and that starts by acknowledging the sweltering metros at our doorstep.