Airly Backs Clean Air Day with a Clear Call for Action
Marking a sobering statistic—that air pollution contributes to up to 36,000 deaths each year in the UK—Clean Air Day 2023 will take place on Thursday, 15th June. It’s not just a date on the calendar; it’s a national wake-up call.
“At Airly, we wholeheartedly support the mission of Clean Air Day and encourage everyone to get involved,” says Airly COO Jonathan Gartside. “The UK Government acknowledges that air pollution is the greatest environmental health threat we face today, but there’s still a long road ahead. We believe cutting-edge monitoring technology can fast-track the progress we urgently need.”
Organised by Global Action Plan, Clean Air Day’s official website is packed with resources for individuals, schools, businesses, local councils, and healthcare providers—all aimed at empowering action and awareness.
This year’s campaign gains momentum from recent developments in Parliament. Just three weeks prior, the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) closed its public consultation on air quality strategy in England. Airly was quick to engage.
“We were pleased to contribute to the consultation,” said Airly CEO Wiktor Warchalowski. “Our response highlighted critical gaps—like the lack of dense local monitoring networks that can pinpoint pollution hotspots and track trends to better design and validate interventions.”
Airly’s message to government was clear: mandate real-time local air quality monitoring, especially in Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) and near sensitive sites like schools.
“But mandates alone aren’t enough,” Warchalowski added. “We also need increased funding for local monitoring infrastructure, along with stronger best-practice guidance. That way, local authorities can confidently deploy the latest small-sensor technology.”
He drew a compelling comparison: “We applaud the EAC’s recent achievement in improving river water quality through a nationwide real-time monitoring network. But the health toll of air pollution is far, far greater. We sincerely hope the committee can persuade the Government to take equally bold steps on air.”