Clean air day

Revision as of 19:54, 15 June 2022

Introduction

Clean Air Day is happening on 16 June 2022 as it has done each year since 2018.

Every year, air pollution causesup to 36,000deaths in the UK.The World Health Organisation and the UK Government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today. Here's why Clean Air Day matters.

Air pollution dirties every organ in the body. It is the biggest environmental threat to our health, no matter who you are or where you live. Air pollution can harm every organ in your body and can shorten our lives, contribute towards chronic illness and put us more at risk from COVID19.

This CleanAirDay there are simple steps we can all take to cut down on the #airpollution we cause and use our voices to fight for a cleaner air future.

• Talk to someone about the harms of air pollution.
• Walk those short distance trips and leave the car at home, where you can.
• Ask local and national decision makers for what would make it easier for you to walk more and have clean air in your community.
• Take steps to improve your health this CleanAirDay

Why Clean Air day ?

Focuses attention on air pollution

By all acting together on the same day, Clean Air Day cuts through to new audiences.

Showcases that a cleaner air future is both possible and desirable

As well as more EV charging points and e-bikes on the roads, we are also seeing other innovative new ways of doing things, such as the NHS riverboat delivery service

Helps to improve public understanding and increase levels of air pollution busting behaviours.

Most people (90%) now report doing at least one thing to help reduce outdoor air pollution.

Demonstrates large-scale support for clean air, giving decision-makers a mandate to implement the system changes required.

82% of people think that air pollution should be a priorityfor the UK an increase of 11% over the last three years.

What to do ?

Make a pledge

People are pledging to act on air pollution for Clean Air Day. This is key content for you to use on social media. Pledge cards are available to download on the Clean Air Day website.

The pledges people are making are:

• I pledge to walk short journeys on Clean Air Day
• I pledge to walk or cycle to school / work on Clean Air Day
• I pledge to talk to someone about the harms of air pollution on Clean Air Day
• I pledge to ask local & national decision makers to make it easier for me to walk on Clean Air Day
• I pledge to give my car a day off on Clean Air Day
• I pledge to avoid polluted main roads on Clean Air Day
• I pledge to work from home on Clean Air Day
• I pledge to join a car club on Clean Air Day
• I pledge to consider hiring an electric car or electric taxi on Clean Air Day
• I pledge to switch off my engine on Clean Air Day
• I pledge to open windows and use extractor fans when cooking or using cleaning products on Clean Air Day
• I pledge to avoid ordering non-essential, polluting deliveries on Clean Air Day
• I pledge to avoid using wood burning stoves and open fires on Clean Air Day
• I pledge to learn more about air pollution on Clean Air Day

You can always create your own pledge if you wish.

How to make a pledge:

Take a photograph of yourself holding one of the pledge cards included in this toolkit. Then post it on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #CleanAirDay

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