This Thursday, 19 June 2025, is Clean Air Day in the UK. This day is used to increase awareness of the state of the air that we breathe each day. Air pollution is viewed as one of the biggest threats to our nation’s health.
Air pollution is not a new problem. People have been complaining about air pollution in large English cities since the 1200’s.
Fifteen years ago, the UK government said that air pollution costs the country upwards of £10 billion every year. In the last year alone, air pollution was at least partially to blame for 43,000 early, preventable deaths. And in 2013, highlighting the severity of the problem, air pollution was listed as the main cause of death for the first time for a child called Ella, in London.
Air pollution comes from several sources. It used to be mainly from coal and industry, however, in the last dozen years – because of the greening of the grid – transport has become the most polluting industry. Electric trains, cars and buses are better, but other vehicles continue to spout many environmental pollutants and small particulate matter which also gets breathed in and stuck to our lungs. To make matters worse, the most vulnerable and poorest amongst us tend to feel this much worse. You are exposed to more or less air pollution based on where you live. People in cities and living closer together and close to busy roads will experience more pollution problems. Children, the elderly, and those living in the most deprived areas are most at risk.
So what can I do?
Even electric cars are to blame for some of the small particulate matter, so using active travel, through walking or cycling, is the best way to get rid of the air pollutants we all accidentally spew into the air through our transport. You can look to attend our events which support adoption of active travel here.
Sign the Clean Air Day petition through this link.
For more information on how to reduce pollution through energy usage, contact Jason, and for everything Active Travel, contact Lisa. We hope to chat with you soon!
