Air pollution is killing Londoners while authorities fail to take the problem seriously, says the Green Party, which is calling for much more to be done to meet clean air targets and tackle the rising public health problem of air pollution.
As temperatures rose over the weekend, the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) issued a pollution warning level of ‘10’ yesterday (March 30), the highest on their scale. Moderate to High air pollution is expected to remain across London today.
UK estimates suggest nearly 30,000 people die prematurely each year as a direct result of exposure to air pollution. Level ten means adults and children with lung problems, adults with heart problems, and older people, should avoid strenuous physical activity. All people are advised to reduce physical exertion, particularly outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as cough or sore throat.
Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London, said:
“We know air pollution, mostly caused by diesel exhaust fumes, is killing Londoners – as many as 4,000 preventable deaths a year are caused by poor air quality – and more of these are in deprived areas.
“This latest warning shows it is getting worse – and that by failing to act decisively the Government and the Mayor of London are harming Londoners’ health.
“The EU is currently revising its rules to bring dangerous air pollution in our cities in line with World Health Organisation guidelines, and we need to make sure stronger new rules pass through the European Parliament, and are properly enforced, in London and around the EU. Londoners lives depend on it.”
Caroline Allen, Green Party candidate for the European Elections and a tireless campaigner for cleaner air, said:
“The level of air pollution were are currently experiencing in London are a public health emergency, killing more people then obesity.
“It shows the utter contempt with which the Mayor and this Government hold Londoners that they prefer to lobby for EU rules to be weakened rather than tackle the problem. They have had decades to put in place meaningful action that would not only tackle air pollution but make London a much more pleasant liveable city. Their failure to act is a scandal. It is clear we need more Greens elected to protect Londoners health and take action on this issue”.
The Green Party is the only party with workable policies in place to tackle air pollution and create a cleaner, happier and healthier London. As part of a concerted effort to clean up London’s air, the Green Party is calling for 20mph speed limits across London, a tightening up of Low Emission Zone standards and proper enforcement (including a ban on idling for parked cars) and the urgent creation of great walking and cycling routes across the city to improve public health and reduce the need to travel by car.