Cleaning up London’s toxic air

The most urgent way to stand up for environmental issues right this second is to stand up against the proposals of a US-UK trade deal that Trump is putting forward now that will seriously hamper our ability meet our current climate commitments (let alone extend them to ones that will actually halt climate change). The current proposals also will lower our food standards drastically and open up the NHS to privitisation by American corporations (who provide provide the US with the 37th ranked health service in the world next to Slovenia). It would also set up private corporate courts where American corporations could sue the UK government for any loss of profit incurred by dealing within UK laws (such as abiding by our current climatic commitments) without any recourse by our government. The similar courts forced on Canada and Mexico have already cost those governments 100s of millions of pounds for following their own laws, and many billions are on the books to be argued in these kangaroo courts. The knock on effect on climatic legislation is devastating.    

Come to Parliament Square tomorrow, Tuesday June 4th, at 11am to protest against this terrible deal, stand up to Trump, and let your government know that you are wise to the danger these proposals represent to Britain and the environment, and won't stand for this betrayal of your trust. The proposals being looked at right now are far worse than the those The EU rejected (for all of the same reasons and more). If you think Brexit has anything to do with independence for Britain please look at the truth of what it will really mean in deals like this one which would make us a vassal state of the US rather than a member of a trading community. 

Fitted solar panels (via a collective set up to bulk -buy at a discopunt), LED Lighting, new boiler and raidiators - That combination has slashed my gas and electric bills and consumption. A more efficient boiler has reduced water consumption too, which is now metered. I have just insulated the one single-brick wall bedroom using Sempertex so hope that will make a further difference. We have spent about £10,000 over two years doing this but because we work from home, we expect to get our money back in about 10-12 years.

Heathrow Airport the biggest, filthiest, carbon emitting, aero-cesspit on the planet, not to mention Heathrow's incessant noisy aeroplanes overflying London day and night, has the cheek to recently exact ‘a green fine’ to motorists and taxis setting down passengers wanting to catch a flight at the airport from Heathrow’s passenger terminalsat. The hypocrisy of such a ‘tax-exacting dodge’ by Heathrow is breathtaking. One can imagine the green fines Heathrow will amass is to go into a 'carbon coffer' to assist Heathrow in any future exacting fines made on Heathrow itself for its irresponsible refusal to cut its own carbon footprint. In any case, this 'Heathrow green tax' instituted outside of Mayor Khan's present proposed ULEZ could be considered illegal by way of a corporate body 'taking a green tax' it has no right or authority to do - particularly when Heathrow is so guilty of horrendous emissions from Heathrow's planes and operating airport complex. 

Trying to do my bit: switched to renewable energy company; installed a new energy efficient boiler; and currently trying to grow my own veg on my window sill (but not very succesful yet);  

I think there are lots of individuals/families trying to do more to reduce their energy consumption but it could be deemed pointless unless organisations - big & small - change their policies too. Which companies have actually reduced their emission levels to make a difference?   

I don't use cars in London at all, always public transport. We also switched our heating system to electric: it's more expensive than gas but it makes you think twice before using it. 

I think that all levels of government and administration should lead the way switching to electric cars, banning plastics from their buildings, etc.

I live close to a primary school and it pains me to see everyday the children being dropped by their parents in cars (and I live in one of the most deprived areas in London). If I was the Mayor of my borough, I would ban all the cars from around schools (10 metres perimeter). Only walking or cycling would be allowed. Handicapped children driven by school electric minivans.

It is high time low-flying commercial aircraft were banned over densely populated central London. 1500 planes a day approach low over London to land at Heathrow or London City. They are dangerously toxic, noisy and a security risk. If London takes air pollution seriously it should be starting ban this air traffic, rather than allowing its expansion.

It's not only about road vehicles.

I think London has to take a lead in tackling the climate crisis.  That means improving public transport (and encouraging other cities to do likewise), developing practical policies to insulate and make more energy efficient all homes.  and encourage businesses to reduce their energy - all those lights left on all night...

But with the seat of government in London, the Mayor and his supporters need to make a real fuss, as demonstrated by Extinction Rebellion,, about the urgent need to restructure our economy so that consumption is no longer at its centre.  Take a leaf out of the Transition Town movement.  Build local economies and local communities

I emigrated. In any case I try to walk everywhere that is within a 5 Km range of my home. Its not hard, once you try.

I never been a driver and use public transport. Walking is best for me, for my health and fitness. I love green spaces, the more the better.

trees are great absorbers of CO2, keep noise down, and keep you cool in summer. So I would like to see many more streets with trees canopy.

i would like to see a real ban on plastic. Thechnology is there to create many alternatives which are biodegradable like millet cups and cutleries

or carrier bags made of cassava plants ( India and Indonesia).

As for my personal consumption I use very little electricity and gas for heating and cooking. I would like the goverment to be more proactive in installing solar panels on all houses, new and old.

I sincerely hope you are not saying that Carbon or CO2 is some kind of problem, pollutant or whatever. It is a losing issue. Get on with street crime, drugs, cirminal gangs, fixing our broken antique bridges and stuff that really matters to people.

https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/273850/climate-change-political-loser-…

Yes, pollution is a problem but that is totally separate to CO2 emissions.

I would like the building of flats where I live to change the windows to double glazing and to install solar panels. To do this the Landlord, since we are leaseholders, must be forced to do it or at least incouraged by new regulations or government incentives. 

I've asked my daughter's school to install solar panels and use recycled uniforms but they are too costly for them although they would like to do both.

I managed to make my daughter's school a pick up point for the veg deliveries of our local farm.

I fixed my bicycles but the lack of covered and safe places where to leave it close to the tude or train stations is stopping me to use it for commuting.

To help traffic on the North Circular there is a big need of a new tube line that goes all around London, like the circle line, practically covering the same route of the North Circular. The tube is efficient only if you need to reach the city centre and buses are far too slow to move to eastearn or western locations in zone 4 and up.

actions of individuals are fine but government (central and local) incentives and policies are needed, such as reversing the Tory government's cuts on subsidising solar engery. Driving less is fine, buying an electric vehicle is also fine but what about the sheer number of 39 million registered vehicles in the UK? Don't we need a culture change? For decades we've been made used to cars, every aspect of public life is designed around privately owned vehicles, from transport policies to urban designs. Whilst going from a to b is a necessity, it doesn't have to be with privately owned vehicles. No matter how geniuous designs you have for roads, connections, all infrastructure, it won't be enough to accommodate growing number of vehicles.

The simplest easiest thing to do to improve air quality is 

1 use existing legislation to remove diesels that visibly produce smoke. There would be exception to start for  bus & train but this in a stroke would cut air polution. Petrol although producing CO2 does not produce anything like as much particulates which are the worst problem.

2 set up school protection zones - one near me is being opposed by parents as it too for to walk from the bus stop - 150 m! Far too many big cars 1 child in them. Also plant hedges at school boundaries - green and polution reducing.

3 Electric cars are a non starter, the battery technology is simply not up to it. You’ll need so many charging points plus the batteries  are a toxic cocktail of metals environmentally expensive to produce & recycle 

Better to move to hydrogen for buses cars etc. But as a start most cars can be converted to LPG - yes it’s a fossil fuel but it’s cleaner and it would be an interim. 

4 the most controversial would be reduce the need to travel in London.

more home working,  internet shopping 

Children attending local schools not travelling miles every day. 

Yes far too radical but will help

actions of individuals are fine but government (central and local) incentives and policies are needed, such as reversing the Tory government's cuts on subsidising solar engery. Driving less is fine, buying an electric vehicle is also fine but what about the sheer number of 39 million registered vehicles in the UK? Don't we need a culture change? For decades we've been made used to cars, every aspect of public life is designed around privately owned vehicles, from transport policies to urban designs. Whilst going from a to b is a necessity, it doesn't have to be with privately owned vehicles. No matter how geniuous designs you have for roads, connections, all infrastructure, it won't be enough to accommodate growing number of vehicles.

We make London and the world safer for ourselves and future generations by reducing carbon emissions. This is scientific fact. In recent years, I have reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions by installing more insulation in my house and switching to a green energy supplier. Such suppliers include Ecotricity and Ovo. I cycle, walk and use public transport rather than drive a car. Increasing use of green electricity to power vehicles will offer great scope for reducing emissions. All new-build houses should be required to include light-coloured roofing and solar panels, as well as high levels of insulation. Legislation could be passed to make this a legal requirement. Laws could also require commercial premises to turn off lighting at nights - providing big energy savings. Best wishes

I have moved into Zone 1 so it's a no brainer - I've given up a car. I walk and use TFL Bikes, buses,underground and train. For longer journeys I use coaches and trains and when needed rent a van or car..

In my job I flew a lot - though I was a keen user of phones and video conferencing tools to minimise that. Now retired, although lots of contemporaries are travelling internationally and cruising like its going out of fashion, I actively do not fly but continue to use the international phone a lot.

Our building has a central gas boiler. I am frustrated that my landlord does not have thermostatic valves on radiators and the heating system gets too hot, such that tenants have to open windows in winter. All my rads are turned off yet except on tthe coldest days my flat is more than adequately heated. I'd like to control my own heating system and related bill.  I can control the electric bill - green energy, LED lights and just switching them off! I think new build flats have to install individual heating - how about retrofit legislation to require same? Some period buildings are fitting out flats with their own heating system. If you pay direct for your heating you tensd to use it more wisely.

I try to only use my car when I have to and I prefer to cycle but the speed and volume of motor traffic combined with a total lack of cycle infrastructure where I live in outer London (Havering) makes cycling on roads feel quite dangerous and it discourages me. The good work done in places like Waltham Forest needs to be replicated all over London.

Bring forward the banning or petrol and diesel cars from 2040 to 2030. Norway are banning them from 2025, only 6 years time, it can be done if the will is there. In the UK there are now more electric vehicle charging locations than petrol stations, who knew!