People in Leicestershire are being urged to do their bit to help the environment on Clean Air Day 2022.
Clean Air Day, taking place today (Thursday, June 16), is the UK’s largest campaign on air pollution and this year’s theme is ‘Air Pollution Dirties Every Organ in the Body’.
Clean Air Day’s messages are simple – everyone can do their bit to reduce pollution and making small changes like leaving their cars and walking instead can make a big difference.
Air pollution can affect everyone, although is particularly harmful to the most vulnerable people in our community. This includes pregnant women, children, older people and those with underlying health conditions.
This Clean Air Day, Leicestershire County Council is encouraging people to think about their environmental impact and the simple steps they can take to help reduce air pollution. The World Health Organisation and the Government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today.
A new Park & Stride scheme is being launched by the council in partnership with Fleckney Primary School to mark Clean Air Day. The scheme is aimed at getting children walking safely to school, as well as reducing harmful emissions from car journeys.
Park & Stride schemes involve the use of nearby car parks for children to then walk the rest of the way- normally five to ten minutes- to school. This is either accompanied by their parents, carers, or guardians.
The council is supporting Clean Air Day as part of its drive to address climate change through becoming a net zero council by 2030 and working with Leicestershire people and organisations to become a net zero county by 2045 or before.
“It is great to be supporting Clean Air Day for another year, as it gives us all an opportunity to think about our own impact on the environment and air pollution”, said councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for the environment and the green agenda.
“We have great plans to improve the environment here in Leicestershire, and I encourage all of our residents to do their bit to help to support us and get involved.”
As part of its commitment to net zero, Leicestershire County Council is inviting people to get involved in a major consultation, running until July 26.
People can take part in the consultation on the net zero webpage.
