In Scotland, about seven people die every day from exposure to air pollution.
Many more of us are made ill by breathing in toxic fumes, with effects ranging from asthma and lung problems to an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, dementia and cancer.
Pollution is especially harmful to children, damaging their developing nervous systems and organs.
We deserve to breathe better
Source: UK Health Security Agency. Visit https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1083447/CHaPR_AQ_Special_Edition_2206116.pdf
Children are
especially at risk
from air pollution because their
lungs are still developing, and
they’re closer
to car and other
vehicle exhausts.
Pollution can
damage kids’
brains, leading
to educational
as well as
behavioural issues,
and harming
their ability
to learn.
What we are doing about it
Education packs
We have education packs made by teachers for teachers to explore air pollution, its effects and what can be done about it
Teachers can read more here
Parent talks
We have trained volunteer parents who hold warm, open spaces for parents to consider
air pollution and its effects, and actions that can help
Parents can read more here
Finale
In Glasgow and Edinburgh we will
hold events at the city chambers where parents and children can present their views to officials
“I had always been worried about climate change and was worried about the future. It was really encouraging to me to hear that I was not alone – there were other parents who were worried too”
“My passion comes from what happened to my son. We were waiting for my daughter to come out of school and there were cars idling while we were waiting. I suffer from asthma myself and I was struggling to breathe. My son became really sick for many days and was struggling to sleep. When I took him to the doctor they diagnosed him with asthma and he has been on an inhaler ever since. The cars idling outside the school were the trigger event.
“So I wanted to speak up for my son and for all those children who are affected across Glasgow with respiratory difficulties due to air pollution. But I also wanted to speak up because air pollution is not just a problem on my street or yours, it’s a global problem.
“I hear stories from Pakistan every day of flooding and heatwaves. Glasgow and Pakistan are my two homes. They are very different places, but what is happening in one is not unrelated to the other. The idling cars that brought on my son’s asthma attack in their own small way also contribute to flooding and overheating in Pakistan. The world is small and we need to look after it.”
Faiza
