Every year air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK. The World Health Organisation and the UK government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today.
Recorded levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5) across West Yorkshire are exceeding recommended guidelines set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This means that we are breathing in toxic air that is potentially harmful to our health. A report by Asthma + Lung UK published in November 2023 called Breathing life into West Yorkshire - taking action on toxic air for lung health estimates around 800,000 people in West Yorkshire live in areas with illegal levels of NO2.
Clean Air Day
Clean Air Day is an annual event to raise awareness about the importance of clean air and the impact on public health and the environment. The last one was on Thursday, 20 June 2024 and brought together individuals, communities and organisations to take action and promote cleaner air.
The day encourages us all to make small changes in our daily routines, such as using public transport, cycling, or walking instead of driving and limiting the use of household pollutants. While Clean Air Day is the UK’s largest air pollution campaign supporting action for clean air extends beyond a single day. By advocating for cleaner air, the event aims to reduce air pollution levels, improve respiratory health, and protect the natural environment.
Clean Air Day encourages people of all ages to learn more about air pollution and its consequences. Schools, workplaces, local authorities, and non-profit organisations join forces to understand sources of air pollution and identify ways we can improve the air that we breathe in places where we live and work. The day also highlights the significance of policy changes and innovative solutions to tackle air pollution on a broader scale, urging governments and industries to adopt cleaner ways of working, using technologies and sustainable practices. By taking part, we can play a vital role in safeguarding the nation's air quality and working towards a greener, healthier future for us.
Cleaning up our air is good for us in many ways. Not only does it benefit our physical health and the environment but it can also protect our mental and brain health. Air pollution affects everyone from your first breath to your last, as the damage to our health can start in the womb and carry on through into older age. Exposure to high levels of air pollution can cause a range of health impacts, including damaging lung function, triggering asthma, increasing blood pressure and lung and heart-related hospital admissions.
Health effects of air pollution throughout life
See page 4 of the Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report 2022. Source: Adapted from Public Health England (2018)
On the Action for Clean Air website you can find a wide range of resources from local authorities, schools, health professionals, campaign, community groups, individuals and other supporters. You can also sign up to a national newsletter and for a Clean Air Day pack.
Visit the Clean Air Hub on the Global Action Plan website for more resources and to learn more about air pollution.
Clean Air Night
Clean Air Night is a sister campaign to Clean Air Day and takes place in January. Like Clean Air Day, Clean Air Night extends beyond a single day particularly in the four weeks leading up to the night. Here are some things which we can all do to protect ourselves, our families and communities:
- Talk about the harmful effects of wood burning with colleagues, friends and family. See the communications toolkit for supporting resources
- Avoid unnecessary burning at home, for example, in a stove or open fire unless it is your only source of heat
- If you rely on wood for your heating, use 'ready to burn' materials such as dry wood or approved manufactured solid fuels and try to ensure that your appliance is eco-design accredited
- Walk, cycle and scoot more, especially using the back streets away from polluting traffic
- If you do have to drive, switch your engine off when you're stationary, and try to choose electric vehicles where you can
See the resources from Global Action Plan UK’s Clean Air Night summit held on 24 January 2024 for a recap:
- clean air summit recording
- wood burning questions and answers for councils, local authorities and other organisations
- presentation slides
- Clean Air Night campaign film
Visit the Clean Air Hub to find out more.
Top tips for organisations
- Implement sustainable transportation initiatives
Encourage employees to use public transportation, carpool, or cycle to work. Offer incentives such as subsidies for public transport or providing bike storage facilities and showers at the workplace. This reduces the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the road, thereby decreasing emissions and improving air quality.
2. Adopt green energy sources
Transition to renewable energy sources for electricity and heating within the organisation. Installing solar panels, wind turbines, or investing in green energy tariffs helps reduce the carbon footprint and dependency on fossil fuels, contributing to cleaner air.
3. Establish telecommuting and flexible work options
Offer telecommuting or flexible work arrangements to employees, reducing the need for daily commuting and associated emissions. Remote work options can lead to fewer vehicles on the roads during peak hours, resulting in improved air quality.
4. Promote eco-friendly practices
Encourage and support environmentally friendly practices within the organisation. This could include recycling programmes, reducing paper use, minimising waste and using eco-friendly cleaning products.
5. Take part in the Clean Air Day and Clean Air Night campaigns
Organising awareness events, workshops, and seminars for employees and the local community. Share information on air quality, the impacts of air pollution and simple steps we can take to reduce our contribution to pollution.
Encouraging sustainable practices can inspire others to follow your example, leading to a collective effort in creating a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone.
Clean air resources
North East London Health and Care Partnership has produced an animation with five simple actions we can take to reduce our exposure to air pollution. The video is available in a range of different languages.