Health - through tackling local air pollution

My community advocacy for clean air locally

As a community advocate for clean air, I have spent over 6 years learning and communicating the hazards to health of air pollution. I bring a unique perspective and knowledge to the community and council with strategies to propel us all to better health.

Do you know which source of hazardous fine particle pollution in Metro Melbourne is GREATER than all vehicles on the road, industry and aviation COMBINED? Click here to find out.

Through my community advocacy I have demonstrated that I can inspire change at council level through evidence-based data and engagement. During the 2019 Local Law Review I was deeply engaged in the consultation process. My advocacy ensured the largest number of submissions were made on the Open Fires Law in the review process. By speaking in the council chambers alongside an air quality expert and a respiratory physician I inspired council to not only retain the important local law on Open Fires but also add a  nuisance provision to protect neighbours from local smoke pollution. I was deeply grateful to witness firsthand that council can act to protect community health, based on evidence.

My continuing community advocacy with a local councillor also resulted in the commissioning of the Glen Eira Woodfire Heating Report with important actions and recommendations, including the creation of a specific council website page for information on Smoke from Woodfire Heaters.

Action on this paper though has stalled without a champion, since the sad passing of the local councillor – I will be that champion for continuing change and protection of community health.

Find out more about how domestic sources of air pollution contribute to climate harm here.

Council projects need to genuinely consider their impacts on climate and the environment:

I would like to see all council projects consider their impact on our climate and environment – we need to ask: does a project contribute to local air, chemical, plastic and light pollution? What can be done to mitigate or avoid these forms of pollution?

How can we work together to keep our communities clean, healthy, safe and liveable?

I would like to see more community education on the impacts that our own activities have on our neighbourhoods.

I want to see safe, clean attractive neighbourhoods with high quality biodiverse gardens. I would like to see council strive for Zero Emissions Neighbourhoods, where we attempt to electrify everything and make the decision to stop burning things inside and outside our homes for health, climate and more liveable communities.

The other pollution crises in our community need to be addressed through raising awareness and action to reduce chemical, plastic and light pollution. For these, see my section on Environment.

Asthma Australia promoting heat pump/split systems/ RCAC (Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners) - highly efficient, cheaper to run and healthier for your home and neighborhood:

I created Clean Air Communities to raise awareness about the harms of air pollution esp avoidable local domestic solid fuel combustion - follow us here.

I manage the Facebook group M Air Quality Australia - learn more by joining the discussion here

If you’d like to learn more about home electrification - join the discussion at My Efficient Electric Home here

Let’s protect and plant more trees, and decide to stop burning our forests for fuel