The Campaigner Jemima Hartshorn’s Call to Action
Air quality has a profound impact on our lives, yet it often goes unnoticed. Jemima Hartshorn , founder of Mums for Lungs, is working tirelessly to change that. Born out of a desire to protect children from the silent but deadly impacts of air pollution, the organisation has grown into a grassroots movement fighting for clean air across the UK.
In this interview, Jemima discusses the urgent need for awareness and action on air pollution, the harm caused by domestic wood burning and road traffic, and practical steps individuals and communities can take to tackle this issue.
The Start of the Campaign: Protecting the Vulnerable
Mums for Lungs began eight years ago when Jemima, then on maternity leave, noticed alarming pollution levels while living in Brixton. At the time, the Brixton air pollution monitor regularly exceeded legal annual limits within the first week of January. She learned that children exposed to high levels of air pollution risked lifelong health problems, including:
Reduced lung development
Asthma and other respiratory illnesses
Increased risks of COPD, heart disease, and cognitive impairments
Motivated by the dangers facing her baby and other children, Jemima joined forces with other parents to campaign for change.
The Problem with Wood Burning
While road transport is a well-known contributor to air pollution, Jemima emphasises that domestic wood burning has now overtaken it as the primary source of particulate matter pollution in the UK. Particulate matter (PM2.5) is especially harmful due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and cause inflammation across the body.
Key facts about wood burning:
Domestic wood burners are the largest source of PM2.5 in the UK, surpassing road transport.
Even with “eco-designed” or DEFRA-approved stoves, burning wood releases toxic particles that harm health.
PM2.5 has been linked to increased risks of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and cognitive decline.
Jemima highlights the misconception that wood burners are environmentally friendly or harmless. “Where there’s fire, there’s smoke,” she says, urging homeowners to avoid burning wood altogether.
Air Pollution in Urban Areas
London and other cities face significant air quality challenges due to road transport and wood burning. During the pandemic, many noticed improvements in air quality, with fewer cars on the roads. However, levels have since returned to pre-pandemic highs.
Indoor Air Pollution: Gas Stoves and More
Jemima also addresses indoor air quality concerns, specifically
Takeaways and Actions
For individuals:
- Avoid wood burning: If you own a wood burner, consider alternatives like electric heating. Use your stove as a decorative feature with fairy lights or plants instead of burning wood.
- Transition away from gas hobs: Replace with induction hobs to improve indoor air quality.
- Support local initiatives: Advocate for measures like school streets, where roads near schools are closed to traffic during drop-off and pick-up times.
For communities:
- Raise awareness: Share information about the health impacts of air pollution with neighbours, schools, and local councils.
- Organise campaigns: Join or start groups similar to Mums for Lungs to push for clean air policies and measures.
- Engage policymakers: Advocate for stricter regulations on polluting activities, such as wood burning and road transport emissions.
For policymakers:
- End DEFRA-approved stove certification: Jemima likens it to “NHS-approved cigarettes” and calls for an immediate end to misleading eco-labels on wood burners.
- Invest in public transport: Make public transit more accessible and reliable to reduce car dependency.
- Improve cycling and pedestrian infrastructure: Ensure safe and pleasant alternatives to car travel.
The Impact of Mums for Lungs
Mums for Lungs has made a tangible difference by raising awareness and supporting community-driven initiatives. Jemima shares success stories, such as neighbourhood groups campaigning for cleaner air and parents advocating for green spaces around schools. She encourages anyone concerned about air pollution to contact the group for guidance, resources, and support.
A Call to Action
Jemima’s message is clear: the fight for clean air requires collective effort. Whether you’re a parent, a policymaker, or simply someone who cares about health and the environment, there’s a role for everyone. Visit mumsforlungs.org for resources, flyers, and information on how you can get involved or contact Jemima directly:
I hope you have enjoyed hearing about how Air Quality both outdoors and indoors can effect our physical and mental Health in this week’s episode. Clean air should be a basic human right so I hope that this week’s episode inspires you or at least increases your awareness in some small way.
Next week’s Newsletter will be taking a deeper dive into Indoor Air Quality to give you a complete overview of the topic and how you can go about optimising your Home for maximum Wellbeing. Look out for my article which will be published on the 29th January : Is Your Indoor Air Making You Sick?
If you are interested in diving into the other 12 main concepts that create a Healthy Home and Lifestyle, there’s loads more info on my website – www.charlielemmer.com
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Be WELL
Charlie x
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