Taking place this year on Thursday 16 June, Clean Air Day aims to highlight the negative impacts of air pollution on our health and the importance of everyone playing a part to improve the air we breathe.

This year’s theme focuses on how air pollution dirties every organ in your body. The Council and Clean Air Warwickshire have been working together over the past few months on an information awareness campaign to help residents understand the harms of air pollution and what changes can be made to improve air quality in the area.

Clean Air Warwickshire will have an information stand outside the Town Hall on Saturday 11 June where you can find out more about their campaign and make a public pledge to do your bit to improve air quality.

Regular updates and information will also be available on the Council’s and Clean Air Warwickshire’s social media channels and websites, where pledge cards can be downloaded and shared on social media with the hashtag #CleanAirDay.

Local environmental action charity Action 21 and artist Libby Esler recently ran a series of workshops with community groups across the District to design a bike wheel art installation, which can be seen at the corner of Parade and Newbold Terrace on the railings of Jephson Gardens from 15 June.

Each bike wheel has been decorated by young people and members of the Action 21 craft club, representing their aspirations for cleaner air. The installation features important information on the effects of air pollution and what simple steps can be taken to make a big difference.

Participants of the Choose How You Move in Warwick District challenge, which rewards people for travelling sustainably throughout the District with points that can be converted to high street shopping vouchers, can also earn extra rewards for travelling by foot, bike, or public transport during Clean Air Day with additional rewards for travelling in sustainable travel zones.

Councillor Judy Falp, Portfolio Holder for Health & Community Protection, said: “It’s important that to tackle this issue and improve air quality, we work with the community and engage with them directly to take small but measurable steps to make a difference to the air we breathe, such as simply switching off our engine when stationary.

“I would like to thank the members of Clean Air Warwickshire for their work in reaching the community and educating them on the effects of poor air quality. We will continue to engage with the public to provide advice and guidance to ensure that we are all playing our part in making these improvements.”

Councillor Alan Rhead, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, added: “Air pollution is the single biggest environmental risk to our health. We often don’t think about the impact that it can have because it’s something we can’t see, but the long-term impacts it can have are devastating, particularly to the most vulnerable in our community.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to seek out more information about this on our website and make a pledge on Clean Air Day to collectively work together to make long-lasting, beneficial improvements to the air quality in our District.”

Kevin McGreal, Chair of Clean Air Warwickshire, said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with the Council to raise awareness about air pollution and its causes, how it impacts our health and what we can all do to make a difference. By driving less and walking and cycling more we can reduce air pollution, improve health and wellbeing but also make an important contribution to reducing greenhouse gases in our journey to net zero carbon”.

Laura from Clean Air Warwickshire, with her pledge to cycle everywhere she can.

Further information                 

• Warwick District Council - air pollution information and Clean Air Day campaign
• Choose How You Move in Warwick District challenge
• Clean Air Warwickshire