An anti-toxin mural, which sucks pollution from the air of one of London’s most congested streets has been unveiled to mark Clean Air Day (20 June).
The mural on Euston Road uses a specialist paint coating which can reduce nitrous oxide levels in the atmosphere by up to 73% when applied to concrete and brick.
The CleanAir paint by Resysten technology breaks down pollutants into harmless salts that are found naturally on Earth which are then blown away with the weather.
It has been brought to life by the marketing agency Dentsu U.K&I in partnership with the environmental charity Global Action Plan for Clean Air Day.
“We are proud to be partnering with a charity as committed as Global Action Plan, that is driving change globally but also making a real difference to people’s lives in local communities,” said Pamela Stathaki, head of sustainability, EMEA at Dentsu.
As part of Clean Air Day, Global Action Plan has also launched an online petition, calling on whichever party forms the next U.K. government to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer, and ensure that everyone can access reliable, affordable and efficient public transport.
Global Action Plan’s head of campaigns for clean air, Tessa Bartholomew-Good said in an interview the aim of this year’s event is to “empower people to use the power of their voice” to call for wider, systematic changes around air pollution.
She added that, according to surveys carried out by the charity, public support for government action on air pollution has increased in the past five years, with 93% of British people believe that tackling air pollution should be a priority for government ministers in December 2023, up from 71% in 2018.
“We are focusing on issues where we think solutions are the most tangible,” added Bartholomew-Good.
“We know cars and vans are the biggest source of toxic chemicals in our air in the U.K. and solutions exist today to clean them up.
“We do not need new technology and it is not about taking cars away or removing things. It’s about giving people more choices to travel sustainably and that are good for their health, good for the planet, and decrease air pollution at the same time.”
Matt Towner, programme director of the health effects of air pollution programme at Impact on Urban Health, said in an email Clean Air Day is an important time to remember three things.
Towner said the first is how air pollution devastates people’s health.
“If you live in a city, you’re breathing dangerous levels of air pollution. The numbers are staggering. Air pollution is thought to contribute to one in five deaths globally,” he added.
“Air pollution is health inequality in action. It harms us all but, in cities throughout the world, it’s the most marginalised communities who bear the biggest burden.
“And air quality can be improved, and quickly. All we need is for governments to show political will to protect people’s health from toxic air,” said Towner.
Jemima Hartshorn, the co-founder of the campaigning group Mums for Lungs, said in an email whoever forms the next U.K. government will need to prioritise addressing this public health issue by delivering a robust Clean Air Act.
She added the legislation needs to commit to achieving World Health Organisation-levels as soon as possible, phasing out diesel vehicles with limited exemptions by 2030, and puts an end to unnecessary wood burning.
Nigel Sullivan, chief people and sustainability officer at international healthcare provide Bupa, said in an email Clean Air Day brings into sharp focus not just the impact of air quality on our health but also the inextricable link between the health of people and the planet.
“At Bupa, we have a vision for a future where cities support our health and wellbeing, keep people well and prevent them from needing healthcare interventions in the first place, because our health doesn’t only happen in hospitals, it happens in our day-to-day lives, it happens in cities,” added Sullivan.
“While there is a lot more to be done, by acting together we can all play a role in reducing air pollution.”
And James Bellinger, associate director for climate and sustainability at international consultancy Arup said in an email challenges to tackling air pollution include the rate of innovation and comparative lack of funding for innovation compared to the health costs from air pollution.
“The business case for improving air quality is clear but the pathway to fund solutions has not been clearly owned by the government and has recently been further reduced with the cutting of the Defra air quality grant scheme,” said Bellinger.
“We need to plan and enforce design that truly improves air quality, instead of just minimising the effects of pollution,” he added.
“This is a challenge that has persisted in urban environments and as our understanding of different pollutant sources improves, is increasingly evident in rural areas too.”
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