Fighting for cleaner air in Glasgow

On 14th June, we’ll be launching our new campaign in Glasgow calling for cleaner air. Glasgow has the worst air quality in Scotland – so we want to support residents to campaign for more action to tackle air pollution and protect people’s lungs across the city.

Alim, Regional Campaigns Officer, Glasgow
Published 20th May 2022

Explained: What impact is air pollution having on our health?

Air pollution is a health emergency. There is no safe level of pollution, yet people across Scotland are forced to breathe toxic air every day.

In the short term, it can cause coughing, shortness of breath or a flare-up of a lung condition. In the long term, it can affect children’s lung development, increase the likelihood of developing a respiratory disease, and even cut lives short. It may even increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and dementia.

It affects all of us, but we know that the impact is more likely to be felt by those with lung conditions, pregnant women, infants and children and the elderly.

What’s going on in Glasgow?

Glasgow has the worst rates of air pollution in the nation, and some of the worst lung health to go with it. The levels in the city centre are above the World Health Organisation’s guidelines – and that’s true at 93% of schools in the city, with children playing and learning in this polluted air.

After COP26 rolled into town just over 6 months ago, it is only right that change happens where it all started. We want to see a legacy, with the city of COP showing the world what is possible when we put public health first.

Most people in Glasgow say that they are concerned about air pollution in their local area. This is an issue that people care about, and we need to start seeing change.

Cleaning the air

We are calling for more to be done that makes the air in Glasgow cleaner and fairer. We’ll be working with others to demand:

  • Better public transport – more affordable and convenient public transport that allows people to make cleaner choices for their travel.
  • The roll out of the Low Emission Zone – the LEZ to be implemented without delay and continued assessment as to how it can be optimised to protect public health.
  • More support for cleaner travel – schemes that support and enable active travel, so people can safely walk, cycle or take any other means.
  • Better protection for the most vulnerable – the prioritisation of new schemes to reduce levels of air pollution around key hotspots, such as schools, hospitals etc.

Be part of the change

Across the UK, we work alongside dedicated campaigners to bring about change in their communities. Now we want to bring change to Glasgow.

  • In Birmingham, we have supported the introduction of a Clean Air Zone in the city centre and worked with our Parent’s Network to successfully campaign for air pollution monitoring stations next to primary schools.
  • In Liverpool, we’ve been working with young people to monitor the air pollution where they learn, play and live.
  • In Manchester, we’ve supported local campaigners in their fight for schemes to safeguard areas around schools.

When people come together to stand up for their local area, change is possible. Join us on 14th June at 18:30 in Glasgow City Centre - let’s clean the air in Glasgow!

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