In their latest monthly column, Camden Clean Air has a list of tips on how to play your part in bringing down pollution levels in the borough

BASED on the data gathered by AirScape, January was another eventful month regarding air pollution.

NO2 data exhibited stable daily patterns, with higher concentrations coinciding with cold air and low wind speed in the second half of the month.

The concentration of NO2 was higher than World Health Organisation guidelines throughout January. High pollution in January was also noticed by London authorities.

A “high pollution alert” was issued on January 24 following the forecast from Imperial College London.

The alert correctly predicted pollution events for the next few days. However, it was too late to caution citizens against increased pollution during the weekend (January 21 and 22).

Live data from airscape.ai showed the increased pollution over the Camden borough and could have a real impact on those more vulnerable to air pollution.

So what can you do about this?

According to the Camden Clean Air Action Plan 2022 – 2026, NOX emissions in Camden are mostly caused by commercial buildings (46.8 per cent) and road transport (30.9 per cent). As a resident, reducing vehicle emissions is therefore an important step in combatting NO2 pollution.

Here are some helpful tips by The Camden Clean Air Initiative:

DRIVE LESS

Fewer miles driven means fewer emissions. Here’s how to start: Walk or cycle whenever possible; Use the e-bike services Camden has to offer; Take public transport when possible; Carpool with friends instead of driving alone; Plan ahead to make the most of your trips ie. if your food shop is near your children’s school, combine this journey;

SET REDUCTION GOALS

Look at the vehicle journeys your household takes each week and identify what can be eliminated or replaced with walking, cycling or taking public transportation. The heaviest car emissions occur during the first two miles that a car is driven, so reducing all unnecessary journeys is a great place to start.

TRAVEL EFFICIENT & ELECTRIC

As cleaner cars make for cleaner air, opting for an efficient, low-emission vehicle will dramatically reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. EVs may be more expensive up-front option but has a host of benefits, both environmental and financial. With long-term savings on fuel and repairs, free parking, and free travel in London’s low emission zones, the perks of purchasing an EV go beyond doing your environmental part. Why not speak to your employer about an EV salary sacrifice scheme?

DON’T IDLE

Idling pollutes the air, wastes fuel, and is in fact a finable offence in Camden. Modern vehicles do not require “warming up” in the winter, so there is no need to turn on the engine until you are ready to drive.

OPTIMISE HOME DELIVERIES

When getting home deliveries or shopping online, consider asking to have all your packages sent in one shipment and with minimal packaging. For scheduled home deliveries, try to be flexible by choosing longer time windows so delivery trucks can optimise their routes and avoid extra trips.

NO CAR TUESDAY

No car Tuesday is a campaign by The Camden Clean Air Initiative that encourages residents across Camden to leave their car at home every Tuesday. Get involved.

Georgina McGivern is programme manager at The Camden Clean Air which is writing a monthly column for us on polluted streets https://camdencleanair.org/