Forum topic: ULEZ / Air Quality

Against the generated noise of ULEZ it can be easy to miss the real risks of air pollution. Theres a free LSE lecture online next month (Monday 11 September), also available afterwards. As the blurb puts it: “The average person on the planet is losing about 2 years of life expectancy due to air pollution. It represents one of the greatest challenges that humanity faces. Despite greatly compromising people's wellbeing and contributing to climate change it receives too little attention.” The PM conversely sees its management as a war on the motorist. Maybe watch and make up your own mind.
www.lse.ac.uk/Events/2023/09/202309111830/pollution

Wonderful news filling most UK press this week - following a Lancet Public Health report - that ULEZ is already having visible effects to retarded lung growth in our primary school children. Children in London whose lung capacity was deemed "clinically impaired" fell from 14% to 9%. “Stunned” (at the speed of beneficial change) was the reported reaction of the scientific community.

With a potential lifetime impact, including an increased risk of asthma, heart disease, diabetes and even premature death, young children are more vulnerable to pollution because their lungs and immune systems are still developing. Our canaries in the mine.

If only Andy Burnham hadn’t capitulated in Manchester when the political opposition to his equivalent scheme to London grew hot there would have been wider benefit.

A case of real political leadership by our own mayor, doing what you know to be right, despite extremely noisy opposition. Surely a lesson to be had there.