We discuss three student-led air quality campaigns to inspire you to understand the issue of air pollution.
Air pollution is a “public health emergency” and with children particularly vulnerable to its effects, it’s not surprising that students and young people are taking matters into their own hands. Here are three student-led air quality campaigns to inspire you to understand the issue and, hopefully, take action.
Choked Up – London, UK
Who are they?
Choked Up was founded in 2020 by Destiny, Anjali, Kaydine, and Nyleti, four sixth formers of colour who met at an Advocacy Academy summer school.
What did they do?
- In partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund, in 2021, Choked Up hung signs reading “Pollution zone”, “Breathing Kills”, and “Clean air for all” at pollution hotspots on London’s Red Routes network – the 5% of the city’s roads that carry a third of its traffic. These innovative signs mimicked actual UK road signs and images were shared by many of the UK’s national media outlets.
- Along with the campaign group Mums for Lungs, they brought the billboard that breathes to Putney. This is a billboard featuring giant white lungs that are gradually (or not so gradually) discoloured by particulate matter, a dangerous air pollutant. The original idea was developed by the organisation Think Happy Everyday in collaboration with org.
- Now at university, Choked Up’s founding members share their experiences and advocate for action on air pollution at a host of events, including with the Oxford University Climate Society, art institutions, Reading Festival, the C40 global city mayor network, and the United Nations’ climate change conferences. Keep up to date with their activities on their social media.
Why did they do it?
Destiny, Anjali, Kaydine, and Nyleti didn’t want to accept that they were forced to breathe dangerous air every day on their way to school. Anjali also went to primary school with Ella Kissi-Debrah, a nine-year old child who suffered a fatal asthma attack in 2013, and was the first individual to have air pollution specified as a cause of death. A key motivation of the group is also highlighting and addressing the fact that people of colour are much more likely to experience dangerous levels of air pollution.
Licypriya Kangujam – Delhi, India
Who are they?
Thirteen-year old Licypriya from Manipur, India, was raised with a “love and care for the environment” and began her career as an activist when she was just seven.
What did they do?
- Severe air pollution in India’s capital city led Licypriya to protest in front of the offices of the country’s president in 2020. Just a couple of weeks later, the government issued a new law for air quality management in the region.
- In 2019, Licypriya presented her “Survival Kit for the Future” to a room of government officials. “SUKIFU” is a breathing apparatus made from waste and containing a real plant. It symbolises Licypriya’s creativity and commitment to finding solutions to air pollution.
Why did they do it?
Although not originally from the city, Licypriya wishes to “save the lives of millions of children of Delhi”. It was the “world’s most polluted capital” in 2023. Leading up to and during her protest, she posted pictures of the city cloaked in dust and smog, each taken that day.
Free Your Voice – Baltimore, US
Who are they?
Free Your Voice was founded over a decade ago by teenagers in South Baltimore. Since then, new generations of students have joined the movement.
What did they do?
- In 2013, the students and other activists found out that their schools were intending to purchase electricity from an incinerator planned to be built nearby. By burning waste, the new facility would release huge quantities of toxic mercury and lead, as well as tiny particles that could enter people’s lungs. The students took their opposition to the school board, creating poetry and music to express their feelings. As a result, the incinerator was never built.
- In 2023, Free Your Voice started investigating coal pollution in their community, which derives from a major local coal terminal. They were told by the state’s foremost environmental regulator that they would need proof of the problem, so they took samples to show that the dust around their schools and homes was from coal and to learn which areas were most affected. The authorities have said that they will use the data the students collect to explore solutions.
Why did they do it?
South Baltimore has an industrial history; there are many factories and the region is surrounded by major roads and trainlines. These land-uses are well-known sources of air pollution. Taysia joined Free Your Voice after learning about the dangers of poor air quality and after realising that it was very likely behind the ill-health she saw growing up. Like Choked Up, Free Your Voice are also dedicated to addressing the fact that people of colour and/or with low incomes are disproportionately affected by air pollution.
These examples show that people of all ages, all over the world, are fighting to improve the air they, their friends, and their families breathe. Students in Baltimore, especially, have shown the importance of data in securing stakeholder support and in developing interventions that are tailored to a specific context and have the highest chances of success. Campaigns need to be rooted in evidence: our bettair® node, which can collect data on 12 air quality indicators, can ensure this.
Take a look here and get in touch with Enviro Technology’s Paul Norman.
