manchester foe logo

Important to highlight air pollution & climate injustice – Friends of the Earth reaction to Black Lives Matter UK protest

news release

Today’s (6 September) Black Lives Matter UK protest at City Airport rightly draws attention to the UK’s air pollution crisis and its disproportionate impact on black and poorer communities, and to the injustice of climate change which is already impacting those who have done the least to create the crisis. These environmental injustices are a reality which must be recognised – says Friends of the Earth.

Friends of the Earth has been campaigning against the expansion of City Airport and urging politicians to do much more to address the UK’s air pollution crisis which leads to the early deaths of thousands of Londoners each year.

Asad Rehman, Friends of the Earth climate campaigner and Newham resident, said:

“Air pollution disproportionately harms black and poorer communities, who are more likely to live in areas with poor air quality. Black Lives Matter UK are right to draw attention to this reality.

“The expansion of City Airport is not compatible with our urgent need to reduce air pollution in London, nor our need to reduce global warming.

“When it comes to climate change, those who have done the least to create the crisis are already amongst some of the worst affected. Devastating floods, droughts and famine, mainly affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions of poor and black communities in the Global South, is the stark reality of climate change. This is going to get much worse if rich countries like the UK don’t do more to cut their emissions, faster and deeper.

“We must recognise and raise awareness of these environmental and racial injustices and make sure that those most affected by these issues are listened to and included in plans to deal with them.”

For press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust

 

Find us on

Facebook

Support Us

Donate or join us using a standing order or PayPal.

Twitter @foemcr