This interactive workshop is for campaigners and activists working on air pollution who want to gain more understanding of the current situation in the UK, and find ways to improve or develop local strategies. Bring your questions and we will endeavour to help you find the answers!

Main contributors to the workshop are:

Dr Matt Loxham, BBSRC Future Leader Fellow in Respiratory Biology and Air Pollution Toxicology in Medicine, University of Southampton - https://www.southampton.ac.uk/medicine/about/staff/ml24g09.page

Professor Ian Williams, Professor of Applied Environmental Science and Associate Dean (Enterprise) in the Faculty of Engineering and the Environment at the University of Southampton - https://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/about/staff/idw.page

Dr James Dyke, Associate Professor of Sustainability Science within Geography and Environment at the University of Southampton - https://www.southampton.ac.uk/geography/about/staff/jd1m10.page

The reasons for creating this workshop are:

1 The struggle to find a language which we and the public can use to describe air quality and monitoring results, e.g. what does “moderate particulates” mean to the public?

2 Concerns about the reporting system used by DEFRA and the Air Alert system, both nationally and locally

3 Confusion caused by differing methods of describing Air Quality Indexes

4 Understanding the difference between ambient and kerbside measurements

5 A recent paper which highlights “the gulf between national and local air quality management in the UK, including differences in legislation, legal responsibilities, scales of operation, monitoring and modelling requirements, exceedence reporting and action planning.” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901117311498

6 What can be said about the health risks of air pollution? Do spikes make a difference? Does air pollution cause asthma in children?

These factors have, in part, been responsible for the widespread interest in setting up clusters of low cost air quality monitors and the use of diffusion tubes, often in association with Friends of the Earth. However, concern about the shortcomings of official monitoring and the desire to do something to get better informed about local conditions has had a mixed reception from both local authorities and scientists. This workshop aims to explore these issues and find productive ways forward for campaigners.

Structure of the day

We will structure the workshop to meet your agenda, as much as possible, and most sessions will be interactive. You will also get an opportunity to work on your own project in an Open Space session.

The day will begin with refreshments at 1030am and introductions at 11am. Lunch will be provided and the day will end at 430pm.

The venue will be Southampton University, and detailed instructions will be sent following registration via Eventbrite. Registration is required as places are limited.

Travel bursaries are available. An application should be made by email to cleanairsouthampton@gmail.com

Looking forward to working with you.

Liz, Colin and Mandi – Clean Air Southampton

In association with University of Southampton, Hampshire Climate Action Network, Southampton & Eastleigh Friends of the Earth, New Forest Friends of the Earth

Image via http://southampton.my-air.uk/graphs/