How Can I Help to Reduce Air Pollution?

The COP21 agreement signed in Paris last month was a declaration by all 196 nations of the world to pull together and attempt to reduce carbon emissions, thus limiting the onslaught of global warming and reducing air pollution worldwide. While undoubtedly the biggest difference will be made by big business and governments, each and every one of us must also do our bit to try and avoid the dreaded rise of 2°C, which could have grave implications for some parts of the world.

Air pollution and climate change are intrinsically linked and combating the former will alleviate the latter. This requires a concerted effort on our part – changing the way we live, work, travel and think will help to save our planet. Here are just some things that you can do to reduce air pollution in your area and curb climate change on a global scale.

·         Conserve energy. It might sound obvious, but turning off lights when not in use, switching off appliances, taking shorter showers, only boiling enough water in the kettle for your purposes, etc. – all of these things add up to dramatically reduce your carbon footprint.

·         Get some exercise. Walking or cycling to and from work or to the shops is not only good for you, it also means one less car on the road! This means one less exhaust spitting out harmful fumes and one less contributing factor to air pollution.

·         Take public transport. For longer distances, the British network of buses and trains is sufficiently developed to offer flexible routes to most destinations, especially in larger cities. Taking the bus can also be far more cost-effective than owning and maintaining a car, especially when petrol prices are factored in.

·         Drive responsibly. If you really must take the car, ensure you drive it in a responsible manner. This means cutting out unnecessary idling, increasing fuel efficiency by driving at optimal speeds, keeping the pressure on your tyres inflated and generally conducting routine maintenance.

·         Get involved in air monitoring schemes. The Air Quality and Emissions (AQE) show 2015 showcased a variety of crowdsourced apps which can be worn by volunteers as they go about their daily business. Participating in one of these schemes can increase our knowledge and understanding of air pollution in a variety of different environments.

·         Recycle and reuse. Instead of buying a new item when the old one becomes worn or dysfunctional, try to repair it. Recycle as much of your consumed produce as possible. Before throwing away, consider whether it can be reused.

·         Buy environmentally-friendly. Steer clear of products which contain many chemicals, solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), choosing water-based paints and other cosmetics and environmentally-friendly approved products in general.

·         Seal containers tightly. If you must buy products containing VOCs or other harmful contaminants, ensure they are kept in tightly-sealed containers to avoid the gases evaporating into the atmosphere.

·         Make your voice heard. Take part in environmental protests, sign petitions and join campaigns to lobby for more environmental practices in your local community, in government and among big business.