Clean Air Day Inspires Amazing Childrens' Art

Published: 15 June 2023

Creative youngsters from a Glasgow primary school have marked Clean Air Day 2023 with a flourish, after producing artwork inspired by the introduction of Glasgow's Low Emission Zone (LEZ).

The talented pupils came up with ideas for their posters after immersing themselves in a wide variety of activities to learn more about air pollution and Glasgow's LEZ which came into force on 1 June.   In the past few weeks, the children have taken part in a debate, created digital news reports, and spent time looking at the environmental impacts of different types of transport. The busy pupils are also due to start work on creating a comic strip featuring a clean air superhero in action.

Ahead of Clean Air Day itself, the youngsters have also made individual pledges to improve air quality by walking, wheeling or cycling to school instead of travelling by car.  

Glasgow's LEZ, which effectively excludes the most polluting vehicles from the city centre, protects public health by tackling unacceptably high levels of harmful air pollution that have stubbornly persisted in the zone area. All vehicle types now entering Glasgow's LEZ must meet the less-polluting emission standards or face a penalty charge.

Cllr Angus Millar, City Convener for Climate and Transport said: "Clean Air Day is a highly effective event in the calendar that draws significant attention to the harms of air pollution and the actions we can all take to improve the quality of the air we breathe. The children of St Joseph's Primary School have clearly been inspired by this and have created fantastic artwork on the theme of air quality and the Low Emission Zone, with their enthusiasm and talent clear for all to see. 

"Whether it's through the full roll-out of Glasgow's LEZ, or our wider efforts to tackle air pollution and promote sustainable transport, we'll continue to strive for better air quality across the city to protect health, especially for those most vulnerable who are disproportionately affected by the health impacts of pollution.

"We all have a right to clean air and a better environment, and Clean Air Day is a great opportunity to redouble our efforts to create a greener, more breathable Glasgow for everyone."

Jacqueline Daly, Headteacher at St Joseph's Primary School said: "St Joseph's Primary School is situated on the edge of the LEZ boundary next to the city centre, so our children are very aware of the LEZ being introduced and what the scheme sets out to achieve.

"The children thoroughly enjoyed researching about Glasgow's LEZ and finding out more about the impacts of air pollution on health, all of which has been translated into thoughtful, vibrant artwork."

Emma Eusebi, Policy and Communications Officer from Environmental Protection Scotland said: "Clean Air Day is a fantastic opportunity to learn about how air pollution impacts our health and the actions we can take to improve air quality across the country.

"The theme for this year's campaign is to clean up our air to look after your mind this Clean Air Day, reflecting the increasing evidence that air pollution affects our brain and our mind, not just our physical health.  

"It's great to see schoolchildren in Glasgow engaged in the campaign and using their imaginations to advocate for cleaner air in the city and beyond."

Clean Air Day

Now in its seventh year, Clean Air Day, is the UK's largest air pollution campaign. It seeks to drive a positive shift in public knowledge and action as well as encouraging people to find out more about air pollution and make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone.

In Scotland, the campaign is coordinated by Environmental Protection Scotland (EPS), on behalf of the Scottish Government, working with UK organisers Global Action Plan.