Update - Clean Air Day 2020
*Update*
Thursday 08 October was Clean Air Day
Clean Air Day is a moment to think about the part we can all play to clean up the air we breathe and protect our health. That is why to mark Clean Air Day we asked you to make your own Pledges by filling in the “I Pledge To……" card, linked here: Pledge Card.pptx.
Thank you to everyone who pledged to help make a difference to the air we breathe! Here are just a few that we received:
If you'd still like to pledge, it's not too late! You can share a completed pledge card on Twitter, tagging in GMMH (@GMMH_NHS) and utilising the #TogetherGMMH and #CleanAirDay hashtags so we can all see the things that matter to us.
You might choose “I Pledge to……
- Work from home more often
- Learn more about air pollution
- Support local change
- Go electric
- Engage with the Clean Air Plan consultation being launched on Thursday by TfGM: https://cleanairgm.com/news/consultation-countdown-under-way-for-greater-manchester-clean-air-plans
You can find more key actions everyone can take here: https://cleanairgm.com/be-the-change.
The World Health Organisation and the UK Government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today. It causes heart and lung diseases, is linked to low birth weight and children's lung development and may even contribute to mental health issues. Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK. Wise up about air pollution by visiting www.cleanairhub.org.uk
During the COVID-19 lockdown we experienced cleaner air and saw massive shifts in low pollution behaviours. Let's keep up the momentum at work and at home!
Travel Choices
This year Clean Air Day feels significantly different to last year when we were taking the Clean Air roadshow to multiple sites, giving away spider plants and gathering support from so many places for the Hive Collective Volunteers and the Clean Air Champions
The Pandemic has taught us many things, but for me the most significant has been that even the things we think are impossible, are possible; that 'necessity is the mother of invention' and when we're told we can't, we invariably put our minds to it, and we figure out we can.
Many of us would never have considered working from home, or thought it possible. But there we were in the summer with 1,200 staff remote working, still supporting the delivery of clinical services in new and innovative ways. Reflecting this, Clean Air Day 2020 has produced a range of new supportive information based on a clearer view of air pollution and commuter traffic, so please find time to read How to Work from Home.pdf and Do You Need to Travel.pdf
Get Cycle Ready
Most bikes don't need much looking after to keep them on the road. But a couple of hours of maintenance a month, and an occasional service, will mean safer, more enjoyable cycling.
Compared to a car, it's not expensive to maintain and repair a bike, especially if you learn to do some minor work yourself. Check out this bike maintenance guide: https://tfgm.com/cycling/maintenance. And don't forget that Dr Bike will be visiting to provide free bikes on 10th November - book now to secure your slot.
Video - Doctors Fighting Climate Change
Meet Dr. Aparna Bole (United States), Dame Jackie Daniel (United Kingdom), Dr. Arnagretta Hunter (Australia), and Dr. Arvind Kumar (India). They are on the front lines of health care delivery and working with their communities to help raise awareness on the health impacts of air pollution and the climate crisis. They are committed to creating a more sustainable and resilient health care sector, and a healthier future for all.
Watch the video here: https://healthforclimate.org/?mc_cid=f8abb7ce0f&mc_eid=132fcc7884.
NHS becomes first national health system to commit to 'carbon net zero'
Clean Air Week this year was also the week the NHS launched it's Net Zero plan to become the world's first carbon net zero national health system, in a move backed by World Health Organisation Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom
It comes amid growing evidence of the health impacts of climate change and air pollution, with the aim of this new commitment to help reduce the impact of the world's largest single health system and save thousands of lives and hospitalisations across the country.
Greater Manchester Active Travel Public Health Manifesto
Greater Manchester’s health leaders are coming together to support the actions needed to make active travel - whether that’s cycling, walking, skating or using mobility aids - an easier choice, for more people.
The Manifesto was launched on 23 September to time in with the GM Green Summit. A news article with a link to the manifesto document can be found here: https://www.gmhsc.org.uk/news/active-travel-manifesto/
