Enfield Climate Action Forum this month investigates the harms caused by polluted air and the initiatives being taken to improve matters.
In towns and cities across the UK air pollution frequently hits illegal levels that are harmful to everyone, especially those most vulnerable. Air pollution is the biggest environmental threat to health in the UK and causes 40,000 early deaths each year.
Register to join the online meeting (7pm on Wednesday 26th August)
Speakers
Georgina McGivern
Georgina McGivern is the co-founder and programme director of London Clean Air and Earthfest. Georgina is a sustainability advocate passionate about charity and impact work. She has played a key role in growing Earthfest from its inception, championing cleaner air and environmental awareness through community-driven initiatives and impactful events across London.
Hannah van Rossum
Hannah van Rossum is the Community Projects Manager for the London Clean Air Initiative and works with schools to tackle air pollution.
Aurora Yaacov
Aurora Yaacov has run the Air Pollution Group in EnCaf for several years and has done a considerable amount of research - including the impact of the incinerator.
Cellina Momodu Doswell
Cellina Momodu Doswell is from REACT in Edmonton and has been collecting data on air pollution and audio stories on how it affects local residents.
The London Clean Air Initiative
The London Clean Air Initiative is a non-profit action group aiming to improve air quality across London. It seeks to work closely with the entire community, including schools, businesses, and residents, as well as the local authority
The campaign's publication Let's Clear the Air - The Londoner's Guide to Air Pollution and its Solutions explains whatis meant by air pollution, where it comes from and how it affects health. It points out that 30,000 deaths a year in the UK are linked to air pollution.
The guide also describes the history of air pollution in London and explains what are the main causes today, and has advice on reducing exposure to harmful air both outside and inside the home.
The campaign advocates ditching the car and walking or cycling to work or school instead. It calls on readers to request that their local council introduces school streets, low traffic neighbourhoods and parklets.
The guide points out air quality inside homes is often worse than outdoore. It recommends opening windows, especially when cooking and hanging out clothes to dry indoors.
If possible, it says, you should switch away from using gas cookers (but if you can't, always open windows when using cookers!).
It also warns about harmful volatile organic compounds given off by cleaning products, deodorants, detergents, candles and new furniture.
Download Let's Clear the Air - The Londoner's Guide to Air Pollution and its Solutions
