Words by Smiley Team
Clean air in our immediate environment is vital to our general health – but it's also important for the environment.
While many of us are likely to breathe in polluted air in the cities where we live, there are lots of methods being used all around the UK to improve air quality, reduce pollution, and ensure cleaner air for us all.
This has been done through a shift in mindset and habits, such as using public transport instead of cars, as well as an increase in urban gardening initiatives and renewable energy plans.
So, which city is doing it best?
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Experts at Forbes Advisor decided to investigate which cities have the cleanest air. It analysed UK air quality via a modeled background pollution tool. They analysed data from 2015 to 2020 to discover the change in air quality, and created an ‘Air Quality Index Score’ that analyses the highest concentration of the five pollutants.
|
#1 |
Carlisle |
North West |
32 |
3.02 |
|
#2 |
Blackpool |
North West |
31.63 |
3.54 |
|
#3 |
Harrogate |
Yorkshire and the Humber |
20.73 |
3.58 |
|
#4 |
Southport |
North West |
17.77 |
3.66 |
|
=5 |
Darlington |
North East |
16.62 |
3.73 |
|
=5 |
Hartlepool |
North East |
24.87 |
3.73 |
|
#6 |
Stockton-on-Tees |
North East |
27.36 |
3.79 |
|
#7 |
Sunderland |
North East |
35.92 |
3.80 |
|
#8 |
Shrewsbury |
West Midlands |
9 |
3.86 |
|
=9 |
Swansea |
Wales |
15.12 |
3.93 |
|
=9 |
Chester |
North West |
19.69 |
3.93 |
|
#10 |
Burnley |
North West |
26.51 |
3.97 |
Forbes Advisor found Carlisle in the North West has the cleanest air with an Air Quality score (AQI) of 3.02 alongside a 32% increase in air quality (between 2015-2020).
The index score follows the methodology provided by the World Air Quality Index Project. This calculates the index as the highest of the five pollutants mentioned above.
Everyone can do their bit to ensure their town has cleaner air. Collective action really can make a difference.
GET INVOLVED: Find out more about the Clean Air Action Campaign, and the Clean Air Day, to see how you can get involved.
SUPPORT: Friends of the Earth runs campaigns about air pollution and the need for clean air. You can support them.
DO YOUR BIT: Travelling by bike, foot, public transport is better than travelling by car. Can you make the switch?
