June 21st was (apparently) Clean Air Day and I did something I rarely do - joined in a street demonstration. A small group of people, led by the environmental group Extinction Rebellion Bradford, got together to demand the right for our children to grow up breathing clean air. It's ironic, when Saltaire was specifically built by Sir Titus Salt to remove his workforce from the pollution and city smog of the 1850s, that Saltaire Road is now one of the most congested roads in the country, outside London. Measurements of nitrogen dioxide (largely produced by emissions from road traffic) regularly exceed legal levels. The legal level is 40mg/m3. Monitoring last November at the Saltaire Road/Bingley Road junction showed levels of 55.08! That is shocking, I think, especially when you consider there are two primary schools on the road. The school nearest my house has windows that open right on to the road just a pavement's width away. (The noise levels must be horrendous too.) And yes, my house is not far from all this pollution as well. Saltaire Road is regularly completely congested in both directions with slow-moving traffic, including many huge lorries.
The demo was good-natured and orderly, marching up the pavements either side of the road from one primary school to the other. Where there are pedestrian crossings, we stopped and pressed the button a few times, standing in the road when the lights turned red and then moving off when they turned green again. No doubt that would have enraged a few motorists but many tooted their horns in solidarity.
It's hard, isn't it, not to feel hypocritical about this? We mostly enjoy the luxury of cars - albeit mine is a well-maintained hybrid (petrol/electric) vehicle. I do undertake most of my local journeys on foot too and use the trains/buses when it makes sense to do so. I even walk to the supermarket with a shopping trolley 90% of the time, rather than use my car. But even so, I am guilty of being part of the traffic jam on Saltaire Road at least some of the time.
In discussion with one of the more seasoned protestors on the march, she emphasised that individual action can only go part of the way to solving the problem. What is really needed - and needed quickly now, as we definitely are in the last-chance saloon globally on this - is action at government and big business level to tackle toxic air and climate change. There is lots that could be done: skewing taxation in favour of green alternatives, putting more money into research, an end to polluting fuels, a movement towards a cleaner, greener, affordable transport system and so on. It's not an impossible dream...
In the meantime we can all help, by choosing to minimise and protect against air pollution by our own actions: walk/cycle more, use public transport, choose an electric or hybrid vehicle when you next change your car, keep your car tyres properly inflated, minimise those polluting door to door deliveries (choose click and collect!), avoid burning polluting fuels, ensure heating and cooking appliances are serviced and well maintained, grow trees and have houseplants, avoid harmful chemicals in the products you use at home...
Air pollution causes as many as 29,000 deaths a year in this country and causes or worsens debilitating illnesses like heart disease and asthma. Young children, pregnant women and those already frail are especially vulnerable. A street demonstration can't change that in itself but if it makes one or two people stop and think, and if it adds to the growing pressure on our governments to take action, well, I think it must be worth raising our voices in protest.
I think it's going to require some kind of economic sanctions to make people take this problem seriously. The local primary school here ran a similar campaign, but still the parents bring their little dears to school in huge vehicles more suited to rallying through the African bush and leave the engines running while they chat with other parents. Adults simply don't get it, do they? Even the five-year-olds have more sense.
ReplyDeleteThe secondary cell battery using poisonous lead plates and 1,280 sulphuric acid cannot be described as environmentally friendly. Every 3 years this material must be disposed of. A hybrid vehicle is not the answer: one is simply adding one further problem to the much disparaged yet efficient fossil fuel burner. Copper is needed for the e-motor rotor and stator which increases the weight of the vehicle thus raising the fuel consumption. One can save much by switching off the A/C.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely...that big business and governments must take responsibility for all the largest sources of air pollution. Individuals who urge that kind of action (like your demonstrators!) can make a difference, as our small actions only add up so far.
ReplyDeleteYou would think that our own survival, let alone that of the world, would matter more than tax breaks and half hearted excuses.
ReplyDeleteI like John's comments about the kids being driven to school in huge machines. It is the same here even though the schools are closely kids get driven!
ReplyDeleteI think what makes me sick the most is car fumes, those are deadly and not good for us to breathe.
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