BREAKING: Our latest research shows a 65% increase in complaints in Smoke Control Areas across England since last year. Yet even after thousands of complaints, barely a handful of fines have been issued. The Government claims to have world-leading laws on air pollution, but they are meaningless if not enforced. Three years after the Government promised to cut smoke emissions, legislation has still not been introduced, and the promised review of the Environmental Improvement Plan remains unpublished. We need the Government to: 👉 Phase out domestic wood burning and assist those in rural areas and those in fuel poverty to transition to cleaner heating; 👉 Immediately put an end to classifying wood burning stoves as “DEFRA-exempt” or “DEFRA-approved”: this name gives consumers the false reassurance that these stoves are healthy to use. 👉 Run an effective public health campaign raising awareness of the health impacts of burning, asking people not to burn. #Health #AirPollution #WoodBurning https://lnkd.in/ecRZNjb8 Photograph: Parmorama/Alamy
A 65% rise sounds dramatic until you put it in context. Even if every complaint came from a different home, that’s just 0.06% of England’s 25 million households; statistically invisible. Fear-driven campaigns create fear-driven complaints. After years of “your neighbour is killing you” headlines, anxiety, not evidence, is on the rise. The lack of prosecutions suggests there’s rarely any illegality, or perhaps that outdated laws and unqualified authorities are struggling to apply common sense. Open fires, bonfires and indifference are the real issues. Peddling fear of the efficient helps no one.
While there are less polluting alternatives, some people will continue to burn harmful solid fuels such as unseasoned or moisture laden wood, it's in their blood, just like their PM2.5 emissions are in recipients blood with every breath they take of improper burning 🔥
Really impressed with your campaign and posts on LinkedIn. I know someone who is blighted by an unsocial neighbour who will literally burn anything to heat his home.
« LES NUISANCES DE LA COMBUSTION RESIDENTIELLE DE BOIS » (France) https://www.linkedin.com/posts/les-non-br%C3%BBleurs-pour-la-sant%C3%A9-et-le-climat-337737337_aidez-moi-%C3%A0-faire-avancer-ce-combat-stop-activity-7291130621391765504-Y-TW?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAFSl6BsBokaBDTawv4Su2jOAtZdm2dn9Lp8
Yes, thank you! Burning wood is terrible on all aspects.
Mums for Lungs again, the lazy trope. You're a professional so can't be trusted. While your campaign ignores expert advice, it can't be taken seriously. The fear of air campaign 2025 is in full swing, wasting funds, sowing division, while tying together estimated data funded by the same activist networks you promote. With such bias, it's hard not to call out the obvious. https://x.com/Jayscarlett71/status/1964879349980496042?t=Rj93HciRLQG8hmpOmojqXw&s=19
Director of Policy and Campaigns at Global Action Plan
1dInteresting to see complaints have gone up. An indication that people have had enough of breathing in other people's pollution and want action to curb emissions perhaps?