Taking Action

Why act?

You can make a difference.

Better air quality is something we can all work towards - citizens, politicians, business owners - across all generations.

When we all work together, even the smallest of changes can make a huge impact on the quality of the air we breathe.

At home

Most of the air pollution in Irish cities and towns comes from the way we heat our homes.

Burning solid fuels - coal, peat, wood, briquettes, releases particles in to the air, which we can especially see and smell on cold winter evenings.

  • Use other, cleaner heating sources instead if possible

  • Burn efficient, low-smoke fuels (dry wood, smokeless coal etc) and make sure you use the right fuel for your appliance.

  • Clean & maintain your chimney and heating appliances at least once a year.

Travel

Leaving the car behind at home and taking the bus or train is another way to help reduce air pollution and have less cars on the road. For short trips, see if you can get there by walking or cycling and get your daily steps in.

  • Use active or public transport whenever you can. Plan journeys ahead of time to avoid unnecessary trips.

  • If stopping for more than 10 seconds, you can save fuel and emissions by turning off your engine.

  • Could you to work from home? Carpool to work or school? If purchasing a car, consider electric.

    There are many ways to travel that are better for our air and our health.

  • With more bus routes being planned more options for getting around the city are being provided. Do get in touch with your local council or councilor if you feel that your area is being underserved.

  • We are blessed in Ireland with easy access to beautiful nature and an increasing number of natural amenities. But the city has its green gems as well. Areas like the Glen, Tramore Valley Park and Beaumont Park offer small breaks in the concrete jungle.

    Interacting with nature has measurable positive mental and physical health benefits .

    Leaving the tech behind, taking breaks in these oases might just be what you need to get through the day. How is this related to air quality? An appreciation for nature helps spur an interest in planting more native trees which we overall need more of in Ireland. Trees help remove a range of particulate matter and gases from our atmosphere and thus contribute to cleaner air.

    Further, with more greenways opening up and being extended, there are increasingly more ways to explore these green areas in the city, wider county and Ireland as a whole.

In your community

People join interest-specific communities such an local environmental groups for a number of reasons. Some crave like-minded people in their lives or network while others feel a strong need to be part of an initiative that is focused on solving a problem.

Whatever the motivator is, all are valid, and people report positive impacts on their lives making progressive contributions to their area or community.

Environmentally conscious groups can help push legislators and politicians focus on building towards a more sustainable future.

  • Sometimes this is as easy as spreading knowledge in your neighbourhood or area. Have the difficult conversations once in while and you'll be surprised how open people are to them.

    Air quality is perhaps not the most comfortable conversation to be had with friends or family. But many people do have environmental concerns, but may feel that these aren't taken seriously in their own circles or network.

    If the topic appears between you and a loved one, consider if any points of actions can be taken by you and your peers. Perhaps you can help acting on certain measures in your area or spur each other into joining a community initiative concerned with environmental degradation.

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How you can improve the air quality in your area

Click on the dots in the images to discover initiatives done by other people.