London exceeds World Health Organization (WHO) limits for toxic air pollution, new data reveals.
The latest data from 2021, published by City Hall, shows that every London borough is breaching WHO guidelines for nitrogen dioxide.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
“London’s toxic air is leading to children growing up with stunted lungs and causes around 4,000 premature deaths a year – with the greatest number of attributable deaths in London’s outer boroughs”.
With this news on toxic air pollution, a date to keep in mind is Clean Air Day, an award-winning annual campaign coordinated by Global Action Plan.
It is the largest air pollution campaign in the UK and takes place on 15th June.
Since the first Clean Air Day in 2017, thousands of people have engaged in the campaign which aims to raise awareness around the importance of clean air and its impact on our health and the environment.
Air pollution is a major health and environmental issue, and it affects people all over the world.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for an estimated 7 million premature deaths each year, and it is linked to a range of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.
Air pollution is also a major contributor to climate change, and it can have a range of other environmental impacts, such as acid rain, smog, and damage to ecosystems.
In 2019, over 3,700 organisations and hundreds of thousands of people joined more than 600 events across the UK.
Clean Air Day is important because it raises awareness about the serious health and environmental impacts of air pollution, and encourages individuals, organisations, and governments to take action to reduce it.
- Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental health risks we face today
- It’s responsible for various health issues in children. Like heart and lung diseases, low birth weight and deficient lung development. It may also contribute to mental health issues.
- Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK.
There are many ways that people can help to improve air quality, such as driving less, using public transport, walking or biking instead of driving, reducing energy consumption, and supporting clean energy sources like solar and wind power.
Governments can also take action to reduce air pollution, by regulating emissions from industry and transportation, investing in clean energy and public transportation, and promoting public awareness and education about air quality.
Clean air can also have economic benefits, by reducing healthcare costs, improving worker productivity, and supporting industries like clean energy and public transportation.
Clean Air Day on the 15th of June is an opportunity for individuals and organisations to come together to promote clean air and take action to reduce air pollution. By working together, we can help to protect our health and the environment, and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Businesses might consider hiring electric bike couriers rather than using a petrol alternative.
You might decide to encourage your colleagues to leave their car at home on Clear Air Day or have a picnic in a local beauty spot, free from traffic.
There are dozens of online events to peruse on the Clean Air Day website as well as information on talks, campaigns and case studies – aimed at businesses, individuals, schools and more.
Clean Air Days’ mission is to bring entire communities together across the UK and there are also hundreds of events around the country for everyone to join.
We are lucky that in London there are over 3,000 parks and green spaces to enjoy and these spaces covering approximately 18% of the city’s total area.This includes major parks such as Hyde Park, Regents Park, and Greenwich Park, as well as smaller local parks and green spaces.
I used to live on Battersea Park Road and aside from the beauty of the park, there are many walks to be enjoyed on both the north and south banks of the Thames. Tower Bridge, The Shard, Hampton Court Palace, Albert Bridge, The Royal Docks, Battersea Park and Kew Gardens are just some of the sights you’ll take in whilst walking along the Thames Path.
The City of London has made a significant effort to increase access to green spaces for its residents, with many parks featuring amenities such as playgrounds, sports facilities, and walking trails.
It’s a day of action on air quality, where we should all try to be mindful about the air which we breathe.
There are lots of resources available – and you can also find out more on Clean Air Day events at cleanairday.org.uk.
