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ClientEarth carries the torch for Londoners' health Newsletter 001, 3 September 2009  Thanks for signing up to ClientEarth's membership - and for taking the time to read our newsletter. We plan to send you updates once every two months to keep you informed about our programmes. In this, the first of such newsletters, we're pleased to let you know about our latest campaign and to suggest some actions you could take to help us achieve our objectives. London suffers from some of the worst air pollution in Europe. An estimated 3,000 people die in the city each year as a result of the poor air quality. The UK is already in breach of European law on air pollution and facing the prospect of unlimited fines. It’s a matter of concern and has the potential to become an embarrassment for the UK government, especially with the city due to host the Olympics in three years' time.  We believe that the health of Londoners and visitors to the city should be a priority for the authorities. The legal pressure we will exert as part of our newest project, the CleanAir programme, is designed to compel the government and the mayor to take action on the issue quickly and effectively. With the Olympics fast approaching, we hope that the UK will take the opportunity to make its capital a model of environmental achievement. To do so will require political will, technological progress and behavioural change, but we believe such adjustments are vital, pressing and achievable. The government has applied for a time extension to meet legally binding targets on dangerous airborne particles set by the European Commission. However, to qualify for such an extension it must comply with strict preconditions and give details of a credible plan to meet the legal limits by the exended deadline. We do not believe that the government complies with the preconditions, nor does it yet have a credible plan. In consequence, we have written to the Commission urging it to reject the UK government's application for an extension. We will also work to enforce full compliance with legal obligations on nitrogen dioxide levels in the city next year. For more details on the project and ClientEarth's plans in this area, you might want to read the introductory article on the website, the press release sent out on 27 July 2009 (when the three-year Olympic countdown began) or, for in-depth analysis, the letter we sent to the Commission on the same day. Action points: What can you do? 1) Put your name to the cause (Takes one minute) To be able to tell decision makers about the number of people we represent adds real weight to our arguments: the more supporters we have for our campaign, the more the mayor and the government are likely to pay heed to our message. If you're not already a member of ClientEarth, please take a moment to join our free membership. You can indicate your support by ticking the 'I support ClientEarth's CleanAir campaign' box as you sign up. If you were a member before the launch of the campaign, you won't have been asked to indicate your support. However, it would help us if you could log in and edit your profile, ticking the same 'I support ClientEarth's CleanAir campaign' box mentioned above. 2) Bring the issue to the attention of the UK government and the Mayor of London (Takes five minutes) If successful our CleanAir programme could be of benefit to everyone. Whether you are a Londoner concerned about air quality, someone who wants the 2012 Olympics to be a real success with a meaningful legacy, or if you live or work in another city and understand how London's air quality plans could pave the way for improvements elsewhere, letting the UK authorities know how much clean air matters is vital as a first step to achieving change. Join us in writing to one or all of the following: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it The Secretary of State for Transport This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it The Mayor of London This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it If you have internet access, emailing any or all of the above could take just minutes. However, it will be time well spent and will help us to bring the London air quality debate to the fore. You can copy and paste the email below, edit it to add your own thoughts or compose your own alternative. Dear Mr Johnson/Mr Benn/Lord Adonis [delete as applicable], I am writing to let you know that I and many others are concerned about the level of air pollution in London. London is already in breach of EU law and the UK faces the prospect of unlimited fines. Meanwhile, the health of residents and visitors continues to be affected by poor air quality, with an estimated 3,000 people a year dying as a result of air pollution in London alone. The Mayor’s air quality strategy will be published in late 2009: however, action is needed at both city and central government level if meaningful, sustainable improvements are to be achieved. I urge you to take steps to improve London air quality as a priority. ClientEarth’s website provides some useful information, and they will be happy to provide you with non-partisan advice on the matter: http://www.clientearth.org/health-and-environment/ Political will coupled with technological progress and behavioural change has the potential to make London a model of successful environmental progress for cities worldwide. Yours sincerely, (Insert your name here) 3) It's an oft-made point, but it bears repeating: taking public transport, walking or cycling is often the best way that you can personally affect day-to-day air quality wherever you live. 4) Visit the London Air Quality Network to find out what pollution levels are like in your area of the city. This website records data collected by researchers at King's College London. 5) Take a look at the Every Breath You Take report. Published in May 2009, this document is written by the cross-party London Assembly Environment Committee and puts forward a convincing plan that could combat effectively the damaging impacts of London air pollution. Coming soon: An update on the progress of our Climate and Energy project. Kind regards, Mike Haines Communications officer Website: www.clientearth.org Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/clientearth If you have lost your username or password, then click here. ClientEarth is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, company number 02863827, registered charity number 1053988, with a registered branch in Belgium, No d'enterprise 0894.251.512. |
ClientEarth is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, company number 02863827,
registered charity number 1053988, with a registered branch in Belgium, N° d'enterprise 0894.251.512.