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Air Quality Superhero Lanterns

We are excited to announce the selected air quality superheroes which will be turned into large scale lanterns for public display in Aldgate this summer. Thank you to everyone who sent in their superheroes, they were all incredible and it was hard for our panel to choose just three. We received a fantastic number of designs for a superhero with the power to tackle air pollution from creative young people across the Square Mile.

Congratulations to Thurston who created ‘Greenspines the Hedgehero’, Raphael who created ‘AEVs (All Electric Vehicles) Boy’ and Aisha who created ‘Ema the Energy Saver’. The judging panel based their decisions on three criteria; imagination, ability to tackle air pollution (their superpower) and feasibility (how they can be transformed into a 3D lantern).

These three entries were selected to be created into lanterns, but ALL entries will be incorporated into the exhibition. Details on when the exhibitions will be taking place will be released shortly, so watch this space!

March air pollution levels in the City

When measured air pollution levels breach a certain level, this is described as an ‘air pollution episode’. Both our Nitrogen dioxide and Particulate matter monitors identified increases in these pollutants at three points during March - 2nd March, 8th March and 30-31st March. As these spikes were identified by our continuous monitors located in different areas of the Square Mile, this suggests they are the occurrence of changes in meteorological conditions which result in trapping the pollutants in an area as opposed to them naturally dispersing.

Air pollution episodes may have short term health implications, particularly if you suffer from a lung or heart condition. You can receive air quality alerts and advice for shielding yourself from for forecasted increases to local air pollution levels by downloading our CityAir app or visiting LondonAir.

Earth Day 2021

We wish you all a Happy Earth Day. Today remembers the start of an official worldwide movement to look after our environment in 1970 and encourages collaboration and growth of this movement in the present.

Air quality is a key part of the environment that we interact with and depend upon. Organisations in the Square Mile collaborated to consider how we can each reduce our emissions whilst we are mostly working from home. Please look at the ‘Top 10 tips’ that was chosen:

Interested in finding out more about how we can look after our environment together and individually? Take a look at the Earth Day website for more information.

Best wishes, Air Quality Team, City of London Corporation