Most
of us would do almost anything for our children, especially if
doctors tell us it’s vital for their health. And doctors have told
us:
“Exposure
to air pollution has health effects at every stage of life, from
before birth into old age. The damage is sometimes gradual, and may
not be apparent for many years.”
- Royal College of
Physicians
Well
unfortunately London’s air is pretty filthy, even if the pollution
is not visible to the eye. Our government has failed to bring the UK
within legal limits, let alone the World Health Organization
guidelines. London-wide the bad air causes approximately 4,000
premature deaths each year – about 150 of those in Ealing. Many
more suffer from long term diseases, such as chronic asthma which
affects over half a million Londoners.
So what can we do? There’s no magic bullet that will make our
air instantly clean, but there are steps we can take.
A lot of the pollution comes
from the exhaust fumes of cars. The Acton end of Ealing Borough –
the part east of Hanger Lane and Gunnersbury Avenue - is already in
the Ultra Low
Emission Zone (ULEZ) which discourages the dirtiest vehicles from
entering. They
pay a
charge if they do, which
by law, can
only be spent on improving transport.
In August 2023 the ULEZ
will expand to
cover all
outer
London
boroughs, bringing the rest of
Ealing
under the same protection. It’s
not perfect and it’s hard for people who have to change their car.
But it will lower pollution – and if that saves you or
your loved ones from a serious lung disease, it’s priceless.
The mayor is giving £110
million in scrappage grants to Londoners on low incomes, charities,
and small businesses whose vehicles would have to pay the charge.
Find out more about the ULEZ and scrappage scheme on the tfl
ULEZwebsite.
There
are other things you can do too.
Top of the list: don’t
install solid-fuel fires
such as log or coal burners. Yes,
they
have a cosy
village
cottage image - but we live in a city of 9 million, not a village.
The terrible killer smogs of the 1950s were caused by the thousands
of coal fires that heated homes back
then. Getting rid of them
was the best thing we did. Wood smoke might smell more homely but
it’s just as full of toxic carcinogens. And
in any case, wood stoves are
becoming such a serious
source of pollution,
that there
is likely to be pressure to ban
them – so if you buy one
you might find that the only thing that has gone up in smoke is your
money.
Back
with travel, some of the air pollution road
traffic causes
is dust from the tyres and brakes. Even
electric vehicles pollute in that way. So
as much as you can:
Walk or cycle
– they are the cleanest and healthiest ways to travel. We
need to make it easier and safer, as it is in Holland and Denmark.
Take a look at the cycling
facilities
the Dutch enjoy.
Use public transport.
- trains in London are
mostly electric, and increasingly buses will be.
There are other good health
reasons to avoid driving,
not just lowering air pollution. The UK is suffering an epidemic of
obesity and doctors are urging us to take exercise. Even just the
walk to the
bus stop, or up and down the steps at the railway station, will
contribute to health, and unlike a gym treadmill, it’s free, it’s
useful, and it easily becomes routine.
Lastly, if you do drive, try to
avoid idling
your engine when stationary for long periods. It reduces pollution,
and your fuel bill too. There are often signs telling you to do this,
some even with fines, but drivers find it hard to remember.
Protecting Londoners’ health and especially our children, really
does have to come first. That’s why Friends of the Earth supports
the expansion of ULEZ and we hope others will too. For further
information see our
website and the UK Friends of the Earth’s Air
Pollution overview.
