Cleaning up London’s toxic air

We don't believe it. So Why do you let wandsworth council & MPs multi-times disgraced builders, Taylor Wimpey, go ahead with the destruction of our trees & genereation of much toxic air at York Gardens SW11 ? Our children are at grave risk & some with die because of your decision - according to data provided by Royal Charity , Fields In Trust. We will have nowhere to exercise & over 100 mature trees destroyed for 12 years at least ! Why did you allow this as is ? RK

I’ve switched to a renewable energy provider, switched to responsible bank accounts, replaced my lightbulbs, started growing some of my own food and made my garden more biodiversity friendly including restoring my soil, composting and avoiding harsh chemicals. I’ve changed to a planetary diet and make some of my own less harmful cleaning products using bulk ingredients. I avoid driving as much as possible and am saving up to get a hydrogen powered or electric car. I prefer hydrogen technology, as it relies less on environmentally and socially harmful practices than electric batteries and solar panels, although I would like to get some of those for my house as they’re still better than fossil fuels and heat pumps are not really an option for private upstairs flats. I would like a cost effective option to divest from the gas system entirely, such as heat provided by a local incinerator Or a local renewable grid. I would like would like to know what happens to the small amount of waste and recycling I create. I would like to see genuine support that isn’t palmed off to a mate or American company like the green grant scheme to help myself and other people transition to a more green society. I would also like to see the installation of heat pumps, solar panels and solar water heating on all new builds, public and business buildings that I can choose to use. I would like to see My future being secured with monetary taxes on having more than 2 children, support and sex education and female empowerment schemes to reduce population growth and domestic violence especially in disadvantaged areas. I would like to see the money going into air traffic support going into electric flight technology only and road subsidies to be replaced by train and bus subsidies that don’t destroy our very scarce and irreplaceable natural areas and a hydrogen and electric refuelling grid that I can use anywhere in the country as I travel for work.

Reconsider the ill-conceived traffic calming. There has been an enormous increase in traffic jams leading to increased pollution. One of the best ways to reduce pollution is to shorten journey times. Other benefits include quicker bus journeys leading to more passengers and a boost to the local economy by reducing wasted time on the road. Cyclists should be separated from motor transport where this can be done without causing traffic jams and where there is demand. Many existing cycle lanes are barely used.

1- before implementing any plan, residents must be consulted, full assessment for impact published and any trials set up with clearly agreed and defined KPIs. UNLIKE what has been done with LTNs, a shamefully badly planned schemed, imposed for so called environmental reasons and now used to raise insane amounts of money in fines whilst wreaking the lives of so many for a wide range of reasons and massively increasing pollution on busy roads and living residential roads ghostly empty, particularly at night.
2- stop obsessing about cycling, it’s not an option for most (again, for a broad range of reasons). Invest in better, more affordable, electric public transport instead.
3- London needs to roll out more electric charging points to encourage people to buy electric vehicle if they need one.

Bought a hybrid car and no flying for almost 2 years.
I’d like to see smoking banned in flats - this really affects air quality where you live - it’s banned in workplaces so would be good if this could be extended to places where people live together if it can’t be contained.
Would like to see more hedges planted by busy roads like the north and south circular this can really reduce pollution if the right sort of plant is chosen
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/03/super-plant-cleans-city-air-poll…

Our family daily actions to reduce our energy consumption.

We Don't Use a Car
We sold our petrol car and now walk, cycle, and use public transport. One son attends school in another borough, but that's our choice, and he has taken the bus every day at 7.15am since year 7.
Private car use contributes for 30% of air pollution, we are all fit and can get to work and schools by other means, let's leave those roads free for the disabled, emergency services, and those that genuinely need to make their journey by car.

We turn our thermostat to 20C
We never turn our Hive thermostat above 20C, and it very helpfully gives us a report every month on other Hive users. We are consistently 2C below the average Hive user. Lower temperature = lower energy use.

We Don't Have Open Fires
....or a wood burner. If you jog around London on a cold winter's evening, the air is filthy. No open fire is 'smoke free' no matter the rating of your wood burner - sorry guys those things are choking us.

We Line Dry our Laundry in Summer
We line dry all our laundry April through to October. I don't understand why people use a tumble dryer when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing outside! If you don't have outside space of course use a tumble dryer, but otherwise, line dry equals free dry laundry!

I do my best to purchase groceries from local purveyors as close to the source as possible - local seasonal products that are not wrapped in plastic. Shop in bulk using recycled containers where I can for household products (soaps, detergents, etc) and food. I would like to see this style of store and shopping expand in London. I have recently gotten a milkman so I am not creating waste with milk containers. I would love to see composting expanded with drop points for those of us that don’t have the options as part of our garbage service. Additionally have tried to move away from fast fashion and unsustainable home goods, purchasing vintage, second hand or upcycled products where practical. End of lockdown will be helpful on this last point!

There are 4 proven effective ways to reduce our impact:

1) London should offer council tax rebates against rooftop solar panel installations (new and existing). This will offset the lack of funding previously offered via the now defunct Feed in Tariff program, which had led to massive adoption of the technology. Each solar installation removes over a ton of emissions per annum.

2) London should exempt all Historic vehicles from all Congestion Charges. Why? Because they're ideal for occasional use (under <4000 miles per annum) and do not consume valuable natural resources or emit carbon emissions to manufacture like a modern Electric car does. Most importantly, they add class and character to London's roads, making them a hit with tourists and locals alike.

3) London should offer a free tree planting service. Said another way, if the Freeholder wants it, London will plant whatever tree you want there and provide guidance on care.

4) London should offer subsidized radiator reflectors to all council tax payers. These inexpensive reflectors fit behind any radiator and save massive amounts of heating energy. Often called the LED bulbs of heating, most will pay for themselves in the first year.

Not that I expect anyone to listen but worth sharing with the broader community.

'You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs'! There seems to be a lot of anger from some people, regarding trying to make London a zero carbon city. I can genuinely understand the frustration and feelings of motor vehicle drivers but also have sympathy for those that are committed environmentalists. However, it seems that for many, there is just a blame culture. Life is a balance and you can't have zero pollution within a massive city like ours without EVERYONE giving something up. I'm a lumpy 70 year old retired teacher, who has a car that doesn't pass the ULEZ test (VW diesel Golf), so I'm a bit annoyed! It means I'll have to replace it as I live on top of the North Circular. If I want cleaner air, I need to stop moaning and get over it! I cycle in London, about 40-70 miles a week, depending on season and weather. The roads where I cycle are appalling, with many of the painted cycle lanes having the largest holes because buses and lorries often ignore protocols. I have been knocked from my bike on a number of occasions, the last in 2020 resulting in five broken ribs. If I want to keep cycling, I need to clench various parts of me and with the help of properly designated cycle routes, get over it. The "I want to do what I normally do" mentality that seems to have crept into attitudes recently without reference to future generations, is unacceptable. Any manager will tell you, that when something needs to be achieved, they will suggest a plan. If the people involved don't like the plan, they have to offer an alternative plan that all can agree. They can't just rant, moan or stamp their feet. What I totally agree with, from what I have read, is that there needs to be far more consultation at micro/borough level. My Borough initiated certain road blocks a few months ago, which were a disaster. It seemed that the confluence of the A11, A12, A13, A406, M11, all major traffic routes, had not been properly factored in. No more political speeches please, just debate.

We no longer have open fires and we are starting to introduce double glazing and have new more efficient boiler.

Daily Actions for Climate Change - Free PDF
I collated this list of actions during the XR protests and debates around them in 2019* in answer to the question what can can we each do on a daily basis for Climate Change. It has proved to be a very popular resource and I hope it empowers all of us to reflect on change we can each make to our lifestyle to take better care of our amazing planet. I lead a choir project for Crystal Palace Transition Town as part of my commitment to supporting my community to become more connected, resilient and cohesive.
*Please note that statistics included are those I could source in 2019, so things may have changed now but the actions are still the same
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https://therosewindow.org/product/652559

We purchased a tired Victorian house in Brixton in 2013.

At my own cost, so no grants or reductions in VAT we have upgraded all the windows to timber double glazed sash to match the original.

In 2011 the previous owners converted the loft to a bedroom to comply with the Building Regulations. The build and thermal performance was so poor that we are now removing and replacing the whole loft. The new loft will have higher u-Values, triple glazing, and airtightness of a standard that exceeds the current Building Regulations. We are adding a limited number of PV solar panels which will charge batteries and the specialist hot water cylinder. We are proposing to use natural slate which will last 100 plus years and UK sourced products (where possible). My frustration is that I am not eligible for any grants or any reduction in VAT. So to save energy I have to pay 20% VAT. Energy-saving improvements (insulation, windows, PV, MVHR, should be VAT free.

Equally a lot of trades in the construction industry don't understand the limitations of their workmanship and how that affects the thermal performance of a building, so we have developed a methodology that ensures high levels of airtightness can be achieved.

We log our energy usage weekly so can be sure of which appliances consume the highest amounts of gas or electricity. I know replacing my tumble dryer with a update will save large amounts of kwh.

We use a timed water irrigation system, with drip feeds, to ensure our plants retain moisture in hot weather, my neighbour soaks his with a hose, using many more litres of water.

We have replaced all possible, inside and outside, lamps (lightbulbs) with LED and have a smart tech system that controls them, allow all to be dimmed, so saving electricity.

The existing London Victorian building stock needs a massive overhaul to reduce the energy each home consumes. The cost of refurbishment, to the appropriate standards, is going to be prohibitive for most people.

Things that have improved our quality of life

Buying clean, renewable electricity from Good Energy, Octopus, Ecotricity etc. It's a few pennies more a month, but worth it 100 times over.
Cooking amazing food by Anna Jones and many other vegetarian cookery writers. Food doesn't need to have animals in it. But meat / fish meals a few times a year is fine.
Install solar thermal panels so that we get bountiful hot water from the sun April - September every year - no gas polluting the atmosphere
Gave up our car 2 years ago. Nobody, except blue badge holders, needs a car in London. Hire electric car from Onto when necessary, plus bike, walk or Zipcar for shorter trips - or any of them many other carshare companies.
Let our garden grow wild.

Things we need to do

Solar photovoltaics to generate our own electricity (via the excellent Solartogether initiative)
Swap to electricity for cooking
Collect rainwater to water the garden

I turn the heating on not higher then 20 degrees and wear long sleeve at home.
- turn off via plug. Not leaving electronics on stand by.
- I save water when brushing teeth and showering.
- i use transportation mostly when travelling to work
- I’ve been vegan for a year now
- i try to by production/food made/grown in the uk
- when i can by a house i have plans to use soler panel
- I don’t shop unnecessarily (eg. Try to reduce my waste)
- I donate, recycle what i can

I see a lot of people are dissatisfied with Khan's environmental policies and achievements. So check out the Greens manifesto for a better alternative.

We have been using green energy at home for years now and I've convinced a lot of friends to do the same. Thankfully the price for sustainable energy today is pretty much the same (sometimes cheaper) than the traditional big energy providers that still sue coal, so it's a simple but effective move anyone can do.

It would be great is every new building was made to produce a bit of green energy (i.e. with solar panels on the roof) that would be used to illuminate its communal areas and public areas around it (which would also contribute to safety).

A review on what's currently in place on old buildings and what can be improved would also be massively beneficial as there are so many of them... Those that use PAYG top-up energy are terrible because a lot is wasted, it's much more expensive for residents/tenants and difficult to change providers. Maybe the councils could look at that, if possible.

I can't wait for the extension of ULEZ into zones 3-2. I live in a residential area and the pollution is absolutely terrible, you can feel it in your throat sometimes! I can only imagine the damage it does to our lungs... I'm really looking forward to seeing drivers/companies update their vehicles for less polluting ones - it will be better for everybody after all.

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BTW: I fail to understand how allowing an angry person who's simply floating the forum with attacks to the mayor without providing any useful comment is helpful at all. In fact, that just puts off people who are actually interested in opening a dialogue and brainstorm ideas. May I suggest that moderators limit the number of comments each account can post?

To reduce our energy consumption I did the following:
- reduced the temperature of our house to between 18-19 and wear a light jacket in the house
- if I am not in rush to make boiling water for a drink, I will put a kettle on the gas stove
- I only boil the amount of water I need
- we reduced lighting in the house and use a reading light if we need to
- turn on strategic lighting that will light up in 2 areas instead of 1
- I pre-hand washed all our clothes in soda crystals to remove grease so clothes will be clean in lowest temperature cycle

To reduce greenhouse emissions:
- we walk for smaller load of shopping and only drive for big ones
- we take public transport or walk to whenever we can
- we reduced our meat in-take to once a week
- I try to buy food produced in the UK or the EU
- I collect purchases from the shop instead of have it delivered to our house
- I reduce thrown-away food by making use of left-over for other dishes

Khan does not care about the environment, instead "build tall, build a lot"!
Khan does not care about the pollution (either traffic or building).