News / Bristol
Greens launch air pollution challenge in Bristol
Schoolchildren wearing protective face masks joined Green Party members by one of Bristol’s busiest streets to highlight “Britain’s air quality crisis.”
MP and co-leader Caroline Lucas was flanked by students from Fairfield High School on Friday morning as she spoke out against what she calls “a catastrophic failure by a Government trying its best to shirk its responsibilities on air pollution.”
The highly visible stunt not only served to highlight the largely invisible problem of air quality among the wider community, but also worked as a headline-grabbing chance to unveil the Greens’ air pollution challenge.
is needed now More than ever
This coincided with the publication of the Government’s draft plan to tackle the high levels of toxins in the air that is now open to consultation.
Lucas argued that any air quality plan which fails the Greens’ test isn’t worthy of the name as she called for the introduction of measures, including a clean air act, expansion of clean air zones across the country, a targeted diesel scrappage scheme and an increase on vehicle excise duty.
Parliamentary hopeful and MEP Moly Scott Cato joined Lucas in condemning “the Government’s poor response to the crisis,” but expressed hope that future generations are better enlightened and praised the excellent questions asked by youngsters.
“I think there is growing concern about the level of air pollution,” said Scott Cato.
“It is very much about making public transport affordable and accessible. This will bring health benefits and help to address a public health crisis.”
The atmosphere in the school was one of high excitement as children engaged with the politicians and set out their ideas and solutions to tackle the air quality crisis. They are putting their money where their mouths are as well, with the vast majority walking or cycling to school each day.
“Thank you, you are so wonderful,” were Lucas’ last words as she prepared to head off, full of praise for her colleagues and the young activists they joined forces with.
Speaking about her party’s plans, she said: “The Green Party’s air pollution plan would tackle this emergency – and force car companies to pay their way for the damage they have done to people’s health. Half measures are not good enough when 40,000 premature deaths are linked to air pollution every year – we need bold action now.
“Through a clean air act we would enshrine the right to breathe in the law – and ensure that Britain becomes a world leader in new technologies which help us clean up our air. The Government must also plough resources into decent public transport – reversing years of underinvestment and skyrocketing fare prices.”
Fairfield’s vice principal Janice Callow said the school focuses on global green issues as part of the curriculum and has a dedicated Eco-group, as well as working with the community to raise awareness on a wider scale.
She added that the children loved having the chance to engage with politicians in this way.
Read more: Greens launch General Election campaign in Bristol
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