Air pollution impacts us all – from our first breath to our last.
What is Clean Air Day?
Clean Air Day is a campaign coordinated by Global Action Plan, a charity who aims to help the UK discover what is good for us, and what is good for the planet. The purpose of Clean Air Day is to raise awareness about the issue of air pollution, and to learn how we can each make small changes to drastically improve the quality of the air that we breathe.
Why?
As you might already know, we have reached a crisis point with current pollution levels in the UK, which have now surpassed legal EU limits (1). Only a few weeks ago residents in West London had been warned to avoid jogging due to the dangerous levels of pollution at that time (2). Exposure to air pollution has many potentially negative consequences for our health, which can result in an increased risk of lung cancer, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, air pollution could trigger asthma in children, or make symptoms worse for sufferers. Shockingly, is thought that up to 36,000 deaths per year in the UK can be accounted for by air pollution.
Whilst the hard facts and stats may seem overwhelming, they are necessary to illustrate just how damaging the effects of pollution can be. However, you’ll be glad to know – it is not all doom and gloom! By making small but necessary changes to some of our daily activities, together, we can significantly reduce air pollution.
How?
It can be challenging to get involved with an “invisible issue” such as air pollution. A lot of the time, we can’t physically see air pollution, so it can be difficult to understand just how bad the problem is. Furthermore, air pollution levels vary from area to area, and will even fluctuate throughout the day. (You can check the pollution levels in your area at https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk).
I like to imagine that there are two “spheres” of pollution – one within our homes, and the other within our neighbourhood. There are small changes you can make to positively impact both of these spheres.
At home
There are several steps to limit the negative effects of pollution at home. They may sound simple – and that’s because they are!
- When cooking, open the window and/or turn on the extractor fan if you have one.
- Vacuum regularly to reduce the amount of dust.
- Limit the use of a fire/wood-burning stove.
- Burn dry, well-seasoned wood or smokeless fuels if you have an open fire or barbecue.
- If redecorating, choose paints with a low volatile organic compound (VOC) composition.
In your neighbourhood
It is well known that reducing both the amount you travel by plane or car can result in a significant reduction in the wider levels of air pollution. However, depending on where you live, it may be unrealistic to not use or own a car. If this is the case, have you considered:
- Switching to walking, cycling or public transport? Walking and cycling are not only good for the planet, but they are also great for your health! Make an experience of the walk or cycle, particularly when the weather’s nice. Or, use Google Maps to see if there is a feasible public transport route to your destination.
- Carpooling and car sharing? There are lots of ride share and short-term car rental apps/services popping up – check out https://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-you-can-do/use-your-car-less/car-clubs-and-car-sharing for more info.
- Driving an electric vehicle?
- Switching off the engine when stationary?
- Ensuring your car is regularly serviced, particularly keeping the tyres inflated to increase efficiency?
Make a pledge
Finally, as part of the Clean Air Day campaign on the 20th June, we are encouraging you and your family to make a small pledge of one (or more!) activity that you can alter in order to reduce pollution levels. This might be in your sphere at home, or in your neighbourhood, or even one for each sphere!
It is important to remember that small changes to the choices we make every day can make a big difference when widely adopted. So, what will you change this Clean Air Day?
Find out more at the Clean Air Hub, which contains lots of easily accessible information, material to raise awareness in your area, and other ways that you can get involved www.cleanairhub.org.
Written by Steph Pitt, a final year student at the University of Bath studying for a BSc Honours degree in Natural Science with a year in Industry.
References
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