Everyone will hopefully agree that they want to breathe clean air - but how can you really know what you're inhaling as you walk, cycle, or spend time outdoors?

An initiative launched at the end of 2024 by Imperial College installed a network of air quality displays across Gipsy Hill to let people do precisely that. The displays show the current air quality, and a prediction of the air quality on the following day, to allow residents to know how safe – or unsafe – the air they are breathing is. More information is available at the AWAIR website.

Last week the AWAIR team held a community discussion meeting in Gipsy Hill to get feedback from residents on how the displays were working. Most agreed they were useful, but there was a general feeling that they were too small and perhaps too innocuous to be noticed. Brighter colours and bigger displays were suggested, as well as simpler explanations of what to do if the air quality is bad. For those who have come across the monitors AWAIR has also launched a survey to collect additional community views on how the displays are working. It’s only open to those over 18, as respondents are entered in a draw to win one of five £50 Tesco vouchers. The survey can be found here.

Norwood Forum is also working on our own Green Norwood projects which we plan to launch later in 2025. In addition to advocating for improved air quality monitoring (including expanding AWAIR into West Norwood) and investigating the extent of woodburning fire pollution, we hope to participate in a “citizen science” project that equips residents with portable air quality monitors to track the air they breathe. Anyone who is interested in this or other clean air projects please get in touch with Odilon or Jane by email: info@norwoodforum.org. The council currently supports a network of air quality monitors which can be found here.