Cleaner Air 4 Schools

An estimated 4,000 Londoners  a year die prematurely from causes related to air pollution. Air pollution contributes to myriad health problems including asthma, heart disease and lung disease. Children are particularly at risk because of their smaller lung capacity.

London Sustainability Exchange’s Cleaner Air 4 Schools project has been launched to support Transport for London’s Clean Air Fund. Three schools from Marylebone, one of London’s top air pollution hotspots, have been selected to take part in the project.

An estimated 4,000 Londoners[1] a year die prematurely from causes related to air pollution. Air pollution contributes to myriad health problems including asthma, heart disease and lung disease. Children are particularly at risk because of their smaller lung capacity.

 

London Sustainability Exchange’s Cleaner Air 4 Schools project has been launched to support Transport for London’s Clean Air Fund. Three schools from Edgware Road and Marylebone, two of London’s top air pollution hotspots, have been selected to take part in the project.

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[1] Greater London Authority, Estimation of Health Impacts of Particulate Pollution in London, June 2010.

The project aims to improve the confidence, knowledge and skills of parents, teachers, pupils and school governors, helping them understand the importance of air quality and how it is affected, as well as influencing behaviours.
Key objectives:

• Increased awareness of air pollution issues amongst parents, teachers, pupils and school governors
• Empower parents, teachers, pupils and school governors to change their behaviour – such as idling outside school gates - and to encourage others to do the same
• Encourage better communication and a stronger sense of community between parents, teachers, pupils and school governors.

LSx will deliver a focused campaign to the schools, helping to reduce the problem of idling by empowering participants to measure air pollution using ‘citizen science’ methods and educate others on the problem of air pollution.

• Air Quality Teams – Air Quality Teams formed of parents, teachers, pupils and school governors will be set up in each school. Each team of eight will hopefully influence the behaviour of around 250 parents. 
• Using our tried-and-tested citizen science methods, Air Quality Teams will be trained to use equipment such as diffusion tubes and ghost wipes to measure pollution levels. This will be linked to the school curriculum.
• Peer-to-peer social marketing - Air Quality Teams will promote awareness using materials such as posters and stickers, some of which will they will develop themselves. 

Schools Toolkit

In partnership with the GLA, LSx is developing an Air Quality Toolkit for primary schools in London. Our toolkit will be packed full of information and resources to help schools raise awareness of air quality issues in London and deliver behaviour change programmes.

For more information see here or contact Tannith Cattermole on 0207 234 9400 or email t.cattermole@lsx.org.uk