 Young people from schools across Hertsmere were invited to take part in a poster competition to help improve air quality.
The competition was part of a council’s ‘Clean Air 4 Schools’ initiative, which looked at air quality and sustainable travel. Environmental Health Officers along with GAP Global Action Plan representatives went in to primary school to conduct scientific tests and educate the young people on what they can do to help improve our environment.
The final part of the session, which had to take place virtually due to the coronavirus lockdown, was to design a poster about air quality.
The winning design was created by 10-year-old Zainab Alani from Wroxham School in Potters Bar, she was rewarded with a gold certificate and a pedometer. Second and third place winners, Eleanor Winfield, aged nine, also from Wroxham School and Imogen Burton, aged 10 from Saffron Green Primary School, received a silver and bronze certificate respectively along with pedometers. Cllr
Seamus Quilty, Portfolio Holder for Environmental, said: “I would like to congratulate Zainab, Eleanor and Imogen on their fantastic, imaginative and eye catching designs, which gets the clean air message across.
“We have all been enjoying quieter streets and roads during lockdown. Some people have taken advantage of them to run or cycle as families to get out and about together.
“When schools and workplaces reopen there is a risk that our roads will be as busy as before lockdown if people choose cars over public transport and sustainable travel options.
“Children’s health is at particular risk from air pollution as their lungs are still developing and we hope Zainab’s poster will make people think twice about their travels options and how they can make simple changes to improve our environment.”
The winning poster will be used by the council to encourage positive behaviour changes.
The schools programme was run by our Senior Environmental Health Officer and GAP Global Action Plan. Fourteen schools in Hertsmere took part in the ‘Clean Air 4 Schools’ project.
To find out more about air quality in Hertsmere visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/airquality
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