Last week we were relieved to hear that the family of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah had received an apology and settlement from the government for her death in 2013 caused by air pollution aged nine. We know her mother, Rosamund, does not see it as a victory, but after over a decade fighting for answers and campaigning for better lives for our children, it is a step forward.
We’ve heard Rosamund speak movingly and articulately about all the times she rushed her daughter to hospital, and how the doctors never mentioned air pollution as a possible cause of her daughter’s worsening health. The Prevention of Future Deaths report after the coroner’s verdict pushes health professionals to do more.
She hasn’t stopped at justice for her daughter and answers for her own family. And so the latest statement from the government includes wider promises. They will look at how air pollution is communicated to the public - something that has frustrated us over the years! - and develop a more ambitious air quality strategy. This is welcome news.
The Great Smog
And needed urgently. Our Brixton monitoring node is showing levels rocketing up. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has rocketed up to treble the WHO limit in the past few days (almost certainly due to bonfire night) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has breached WHO limits 23 days of the past month.
We’re trying to do something about it! Louise has been out spreading the word, trying to get to audiences who might not have thought about the topic. She was on the Valuu Makers podcast and the Tripshift blog last month. Do listen and read, but most importantly, take action!