Today is Clean Air Day, the UK’s largest campaign on air pollution, which this year has the theme “Clean up our air to look after your mind this #CleanAirDay”.
The campaign is focusing on the fact that cleaning up our air is good for us in many ways: it not only benefits our physical health and the environment, but can also protect our mental and brain health.
In line with this year’s theme, Waverley Borough Council is asking its own staff and councillors to demonstrate their support to reduce pollution in the borough and would like residents to get involved too.
There are simple steps we can all take to cut down on the pollution we cause and, as part of this year’s campaign, the organisers have created several pledges each of us can adopt to reduce air pollution, whether that is by using the car less, not letting your car engine idle when in queues or avoiding the burning of garden waste.
Councillor Steve Williams, Waverley Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said:
“Air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today so we hope residents will join us in supporting the campaign.
“In 2019, we declared a Climate Emergency and made a commitment to become net-zero carbon by 2030. We are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, encouraging more active and sustainable travel as well as increasing electric vehicle charging points in the borough, but there’s always more we can do as individuals or as a community.”
The council has a Clean Air Strategy for all of Waverley, in addition to an updated Air Quality Action Plan for the Air Quality Management Areas. You can find details by visiting Waverley Borough Council - Air Quality Action Plan and Clean Air Strategy. Organisations or individuals wanting to adopt specific priority actions highlighted in the strategy will also find a template to use there too.
There are currently 17 public EV charging bays in Waverley with more to be added in due course. The council also has 20 on street charging bays as part of a major Surrey trial. You can find out more about Electric Vehicle charge points in Waverley by visiting Waverley Borough Council - Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Points in Waverley
The council is also supporting Surrey Air Alliance on a project to reduce air pollution from solid fuel burning.
Councillor Williams added: “While the government should be doing more to improve air quality, we can all have a positive impact on air quality particularly by thinking about the way we travel. I hope residents will get on board and help us work towards a cleaner and greener Waverley.”
Information on how to get involved and how to download the pledges is available on the Clean Air Day website: www.cleanairday.org.uk – if you would like to share a picture of your pledge, please do so on the council’s social media channels, on:
Facebook @WaverleyBC, Twitter @WaverleyBC or Instagram waverley_bc