Environment & Sustainability

Surveyors working with London Wildlife Trust’s Water for Wildlife project spotted a pair of willow emerald damselflies whilst looking for dragonflies and damselflies in Clissold Park, Hackney, in late September. By tracking such insects the project is mapping out the health of London’s freshwater ecosystems. Research volunteer Sonja Todd spotted the male and female willow emerald damselfly in reeds growing in the New River in the park. Read the full story on the London Wildlife.......

The Mayor of London has launched the second phase of his consultation on proposed measures to improve air quality in the Capital. The consultation phase, which runs until 18 December, invites the public to comment on detailed proposals for an Emission Surcharge payable by drivers whose vehicles do not meet stipulated conditions when driving in the Congestion Zone.  It also asks for feedback on the possible earlier introduction of an Ultra Low Emissions Zone and its possible enlargement to.......

Vehicle Idling Action are recruiting volunteers to become Clean Air Champions in twelve London boroughs - including Enfield. Join our Vehicle Idling Action campaign and be part of a movement to bring much needed positive environmental changes to our communities. Together we can spread awareness about the negative impacts of engine idling, creating long-term behavioural changes in drivers to immediately reduce localised air pollution. We are establishing a team of enthusiastic, willing,.......

Palmers Green is to be the trailblazer for a project which will return to children some of the independence that has been taken away from them in recent years. London's first Play Quarter will build on the existing Play Street schemes in and around Palmers Green - in Devonshire Road, Old Park Road, New River Crescent, Riverside, The Mall and Orpington Road.  Those streets are now not only home to more active, happy children with new friends next door, but they have also become friendlier,.......

During September the Healthy Lungs for Life campaign will be running free events at various locations in London.  Visitors to the Healthy Lungs for Life "bubble" will be offered free tests of lung function (spirometry), advice on lung health and how to protect against air pollution, and a chance to take part in an interactive game. The main organisations behind the campaign, which is Europe-wide, are the European Respiratory Society and the European Lung Foundation. On Monday 5.......

It is a little known fact that running a car engine while not in traffic is illegal.  Another little known fact is that turning off engines while stationary, even for a very short time, significantly reduces emissions of toxic exhaust fumes and climate-changing greenhouse gases. Recently the City of London Police began enforcing the law against running engines while parked, and there are plans to extend this to more London boroughs - unfortunately, Enfield is not on the list. An online.......

The Mayor of London's public consultation on measures to resolve the capital's air quality crisis finishes on Friday 29th July.  Recently published reports question the adequacy of Sadiq Khan's proposals and suggest much tougher controls, especially in relation to diesel cars. See this earlier article for information about the consultation. Call to completely remove diesel cars A report by the Institute for Public Policy Research, drawing on analysis by Kings College London, calls.......

The Mayor of London has set out his intention to address poor air quality in the capital.  He has announced plans to introduce new measures, such as an extra charge on the most polluting vehicles, and expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone beyond inner London, in order to improve the local environment and health of residents and visitors. Residents of all London boroughs are invited to participate in an online consultation about their views on the severity of the problem and proposed.......

A Day of Action is being coordinated by Thames21 and CleanupUK to clean up the footpath beside the New River. Residents are coming together at 5 locations to spruce up these well used and well loved paths beside this seventeenth century aqueduct. Volunteers are invited to join Thames21 and CleanupUK at one of the sites in Hackney, Haringey or Enfield. Meet at 10am at any of these locations: Turkey Street: between Bulls Cross and St Ignatius College, Enfield, EN1 contact:.......

The following advice has been issued by the British Lung Foundation. What can I do about air pollution? On most days and away from busy city streets, air pollution in the UK does not rise to levels at which we need to make major changes to our habits to avoid exposure. Nobody needs to worry about going outdoors. Children should not be kept from going to school or stopped from taking part in games. If you have a lung condition, you might want to avoid spending long periods of time in places.......