A new report from the Clean Air South network is highlighting efforts being made to tackle air pollution in the South of England.
It brings together initiatives from local councils, businesses, charities and the University of Southampton.
Sue Littlemore, Director of Civic University at the University of Southampton, is part of the Clean Air South steering group. She said: "Air pollution is a serious and complex public health issue which doesn't have a single cause or a single solution.
"Instead, it requires a concerted and multipronged approach. Meaningful progress is already being made, and recognising these successes and sharing good practice is key to driving further change."
The highlighted measures include:
- Transport improvements in Portsmouth, including the introduction of 62 zero exhaust emission buses which have now made nearly four million journeys
- The 'Sea Change' shore power system at Portsmouth Port which will allow visiting ferry and cruise ships to turn off their engines by plugging into the National Grid
- An app that directs walkers in Southampton along less polluted routes, generating journeys totalling over 4,200 miles
- Public awareness campaigns around wood burning which saw significant reductions in emissions
- A programme to train healthcare workers on the impacts of air pollution reaching almost 350 healthcare professions, increasing their confidence to share advice with patients
- Projects to engage young people in the issue of air pollution, including citizen science air pollution monitoring, an anti-idling campaign, and a youth theatre production
The report also features suggestions from experts in academia, public health and business, ranging an integrated public transport system with unified ticketing to pressing central government to adopt more stringent air quality standards.
The University of Southampton works closely with local authorities to support the economic, environmental, social and cultural success of the region. The report was carried out in association with the University's Sustainability and Resilience Institute and Wessex Health Partners.
The full report is available to download here .
