News

Today, on the 16th of June we celebrate Clean Air Day 2022. This day is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of clean air. This is the 6th year that Clean Air Day has been running and the theme for this year’s campaign is:

Air pollution dirties every organ in your body. Take steps to improve your health this Clean Air Day.

Clean Air Day is the UK’s largest air pollution campaign, bringing together communities, businesses, schools and the health sector. The primary actions the campaign will be promoting this year include: 

• Talking to someone about the harms of air pollution.   
• Walking short-distance trips and leaving the car at home, where you can.   
• Ask local and national decision-makers what would make it easier for you to walk more and have clean air in your community.  

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

• Focuses attention on air pollution – By all acting together on the same day, Clean Air Day cuts through to new audiences.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 priority for the UK an increase of 11% over the last three years.

If you’d like to work out your individual contribution to air pollution in the UK and find out what you can do to reduce emissions and protect your health, then click here to use the air pollution calculator.