The UK’s first ever ‘National Clean Air Day’ is in effect today to raise awareness of the UK’s worsening air pollution and influence people’s behavior to make small changes that can collectively have a huge impact on improving the Nation’s air quality.
The organisers of the campaign, Global Action Plan, have suggested simple things like leaving the car at home today, catching public transport or even walking/cycling in to work to help make a positive impact on the environment.
Hospitals, NHS Trusts, universities and schools all over the UK are planning events to get involved, with commercial businesses and organisations also expected to join in.
Every year, the air quality in the UK is blamed for 1,000’s of premature deaths and the situation is now deemed serious, particularly in large cities, with urgent action needed.
Whilst there are many contributors to the pollutants in our air, diesel vehicles have been blamed for 40% of the nitrogen oxide which is having a huge impact on our health at ground level. Last month, EvoEnergy published a blog on why businesses need to invest in Electric Vehicles and EV Charging and with today’s awareness and action campaign for helping clean up Britain’s air pollution, this article is well worth another read.
With business collectively responsible for a large proportion of travel in the UK due to commuting and logistics, it is here where the leadership needs to begin. Looking at the wider vision, businesses also have a carbon footprint generally produced by the electricity consumption onsite from ‘brown’ fuel sources such as coal or gas. By producing your own electricity onsite through solar PV and/or solar carports, supported by battery storage, a business can begin to make huge carbon savings that may be needed for compliance, to support a Corporate Social Responsibility strategy or to create new supply chain opportunities.
There is a lot of content circulating the web and social media today and the many alarming facts published across these sources should be enough to trigger both individuals and businesses to make more long-term actions and commitments to protecting our future. For more information and facts, you can also visit www.cleanairday.org.uk