Campaigners in Wales join calls to tackle air pollution inequality
The Government must urgently tackle the disproportionate impact of air pollution on marginalised groups and low-income families, campaigners have said
The Government must urgently tackle the disproportionate impact of air pollution on marginalised groups and low-income families, campaigners have said.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, activist group Enact Equality called on ministers to "take decisive and immediate action to confront one of the most urgent, yet persistently under-reported justice issues" across the UK.
The activist group Enact Equality wrote:
"This is not just an environmental issue. It is a racial justice issue. It is a social justice issue. And it is a public health emergency."
The letter cited research from the University of York showing people in the most deprived groups across England are more likely to live in areas with the highest levels of air pollution.
The campaign group, which has been backed by dozens of MPs and peers, called for a boost in investment in green transport as well as more green spaces and wider access to nature.
It also urged the Government to introduce stronger laws, clearer targets and better air quality monitoring.
In Wales, campaigners for the charity Friends of the Earth, agreed with Enact Equality.
Based in North East Wales, Jenny Bates said:
"Air pollution is absolutely, a really serious, health issue. It's the biggest environmental threat to health, and it it causes all sorts of problems, both short term and long term"
" The sad fact about air pollution is that it does disproportionately affect some of the most vulnerable, and that is elderly people who may have pre existing conditions.
"Also, young people, children, they can end up with their lungs not even developing properly.
"You've got to act to protect people's health, and and that means setting proper targets and taking good decisions that protect health"
L'myah Sherae, chief executive of Enact Equality, called for a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss how environmental policy can better reflect the lived experiences of marginalised communities.
L'myah Sherae, chief executive of Enact Equality, said:
"People of colour and low-income communities are paying the highest price for toxic air - with their health, their futures and their lives.
"The Government must act and we are ready to work with them to drive that change."
A UK Government spokesperson said:
"Air pollution is a public health issue and we are committed to tackling this issue across the country.
"We have already provided £575 million to support local authorities to improve air quality, and launched a rapid review of plans to deliver our legally binding targets on air quality."