Tackling air pollution
Through practical workshops, ecoACTIVE raised awareness about how to tackle air pollution.
London has the worst pollution in the UK and over 9,000 Londoners are dying early every year as a result of toxic air. Tellingly, you are twice as likely to die from lung disease if you live in a deprived area rather than an affluent area. Air pollution is also being linked to an increasing range of health impacts.
Air quality project at a Hackney Primary School
In 2018-19 we delivered an air quality project at a Hackney Primary School, thanks to funding from Sanctuary Housing Association.
We ran four workshops with a Year 3 class and delivered an assembly for the whole school. We finished the project with a family roadshow, where pupils were able to kick start their own anti-air pollution campaign and share their learning with the wider school community.
Impact of the Project
Lifestyle
43 pupils and family members reported making changes to a more sustainable lifestyle as a result of taking part in the project. For example, pupils reported that they were now walking to school, riding their bikes more, picking up rubbish in the park, recycling, and using fewer electronics.
Pollution
After taking part in a pollution survey, pupils also recognised why it is important to change their walking routes to avoid busy roads. Our session leader fed back that "one child said that they wanted to try to spend lots more time in the park as they recorded very low pollution levels there".
Posters
During the family roadshow, we shared posters and leaflets designed by the pupils. We had discussions with parents regarding the impact that the project had had on their behaviours. One parent mentioned that she had started "turning off the engine when in traffic" after talking to her daughter.
Change
The class teacher also reported that the project had been "very engaging and informative" and that her class and the wider school community were "more aware of the issues contributing to global warming and air pollution and more interested in tackling the problems."