Clean Air Day 2025
By Abbie King and Rachael Howlett
To mark Clean Air Day, we have a blog post from Abbie King and Rachael Howlett in our Environmental Pollution Team. They discuss the September 2024 Clean Air Public Insight Tracker (CAPIT) survey results. JNCC’s commissioned questions in the survey focus on the knowledge, importance and concern the public has on the impacts of air pollution on nature.
What is Clean Air Day?
Clean Air Day is the UK’s largest air pollution campaign, it aims to raise awareness of the environmental threat to our health from air pollution. JNCC’s sister campaign Clean Air For Nature links to this, but with a nature perspective.
What is air pollution?
Air pollution is the presence (or introduction) of a substance in the air which has harmful effects.
Sources of air pollution include the following (see also the infographic below):
- Farms (agriculture and farming)
- Building (construction and building sites)
- Factories (industrial processes and energy generation)
- Boats and trains (shipping and rail)
- Cars and vans (road transport)
- Domestic (household cleaning, personal care products wood and coal burning)
Why does clean air matter?
Air pollution negatively effects both human health and nature. Air pollution can lead to eutrophication and acidification, ultimately leading to biodiversity loss (see infographic below).
CAPIT survey results 2021 to 2024 (JNCC commissioned questions)
In July 2021, 2022, 2023 and September 2024, we asked 2,000 people about their thoughts on air quality and nature. The results are in, and you can dive deeper into the findings on our Clean Air for Nature webpage.
In 2024, we noticed a drop in public awareness and concern about how air pollution affects nature. However, people still recognise the importance of reducing air pollution for both our environment and our health.
Did you know that over 1 in 3 people are aware that lichens are indicators of air pollution? These amazing organisms can tell us so much about the air we breathe. Learn more about how lichens benefit nature and people, and even how to find and identify them, by visiting OPAL Air Surveys by Imperial College London.
What could you do to help reduce air pollution?
By choosing to cycle, walk, or use public transport to commute to the office, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to cleaner, healthier air for everyone.
- Cycle: Enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise while reducing emissions.
- Walk: Take a stroll and appreciate the beauty of our surroundings.
- Public Transport: Opt for buses or trains to cut down on individual car use.
Let's stay informed and take action to protect our environment together!