A London Assembly member is backing a group of parents who are campaigning for a car-free day in London in a bid to reduce air pollution levels in the city.
Mums For Lungs was set up by a group of Mums in Brixton in April 2017 who became concerned about air pollution levels in London.
They were concerned about the life-long effects high pollution levels can have on children such as contributing to asthma and stunting lung and cognitive development.
The group is made up of just under 10 regular members and has wider network of parents who support the group on an irregular basis.
Mums For Lungs campaigns for cleaner air at local, London-wide and national level and is currently calling on Sadiq Khan to hold a car-free day in London on September 22 this year.
The group has launched a petition calling for the car-free day, which currently has more than 7,000 signatures.
Green Party London Assembly member and Highbury East councillor Caroline Russell praised the group.
She said: “What is particularly impressive about Mums For Lungs is that it is a grassroots group of parents who have learnt about air pollution and are using their networking and social media skills to raise the agenda and get people talking about it.
“The air that a child is breathing could be causing fundamental damage to their health, that’s why a group of people that have recently become parents have been so motivated to try and make a difference.”
The Green councillor said she hoped a car-free day would make people pause and think about air pollution levels.
She said: “It’s about getting people to think about our streets as precious public space.
“It need not be inevitable that our streets are filled with traffic, we want to make our streets a place where people want to visit and walk.
“It can feel hostile on the streets as a pedestrian.”
Jemima Hartshorn founded and runs the group in Brixton and is mum to 20-month-old Trissie.
She said: “Tackling air pollution is essential considering how harmful and damaging the current air pollution levels are across London.”
Mr Hartshorn said that 9500 people die prematurely every year and more are very sick and have a reduced quality of life as a result of air pollution.
She added: “Air pollution hits the most vulnerable, children with growing lungs, babies in the womb and the elderly.
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