Of planters and people

It’s a fortnight to Clean Air Day! We’ve got mixed emotions this year.

On the plus side, we are excited to be cooking up something with the amazing UrbanBetter and their Cityzens movement. We can’t say too much yet but will keep you posted - it will involve an event in London. If you want to be the first to know, let us know on hello@airawarelabs.com

One plant too many

On the more challenging side, our work with our local school is never straightforward. As we mentioned six weeks ago, we were starting to plan for how to make the most of the School Street, which will be in place by September (we assume the local elections won’t change that). We had plans for planters, bike parking and maybe a seating area for the children, so they could enjoy the space outside the school more and take time on their school run. But our ideas have been hit with tough local opposition, so we are rethinking.

We’re not claiming that this kind of infrastructure would have a significant, direct effect on air pollution; it’s more about a school environment that encourages active travel, with all the benefits that brings. We saw some incredible statistics from a recent study on air purifiers in primary schools, with huge reductions of absenteeism. So even if cheaper interventions such as greener environments have smaller effects, they could still be well worth doing. Louise was interviewed for the Times Educational Supplement about all this recently - we’ll post when it comes out!

The What’s the Matter festival, starting over the coming days and building up to Clean Air Day involves lots of focus on schools and children’s health so get involved if you can!

First breath

Meanwhile after our highlighting of one MSc student’s research on behaviour change, here is another, this time focused on parents of children with breathing difficulties. Can you help Grace by offering to take part?