Greens: Government must respond to air pollution crisis

25 March 2015

A leading Green Party politician is calling on the Government to respond 'swiftly' to mounting evidence of the serious impacts of air pollution. 

A report released today by The University of Edinburgh links short-term exposure to air pollution with a higher risk of stroke. 

The release of the report follows a serious smog episode in the UK last week. 

Keith Taylor, the Green Party’s MEP for South East England, said:

"The serious impacts of air pollution demand immediate action on this public health crisis.

"We know that 29,000 people die each year because of exposure to air pollution. The latest evidence, which shows the extreme danger of smog episodes, will be of great concern to people at risk of stroke.

“Even after UK and EU senior courts have found the Government failing to meet standards for safe air, ministers continue to ignore their responsibilities. There are solutions but there isn't yet the political will at Westminster to make progress."

“The Government must respond swiftly to this new evidence by both improving the communication system for smog episodes and taking action to cut harmful emissions in our city centres."

Caroline Russell, Green Party Local Transport Spokesperson, said: 

"With every passing day, we hear further evidence  that air pollution is seriously damaging health outcomes, particularly for older people and those at risk of stroke.  These deaths are completely avoidable - it is a scandal that the government has failed to act and is delaying compliance with EU limits until 2030. They could and should take immediate action to clean up our air and curb vehicle use during high pollution episodes.  

We need strict ultra low emission zones so that the UK is compliant with EU limits by 2020 at the very latest. Warning people at risk of stroke to stay indoors when pollution is high is sadly necessary for now, but it is not good enough and clearly demonstrates the extent of government complacency.  We must be more ambitious about cleaning up our air."

ENDS

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