Join the CONVERSATION ON SCHOOLS
social media campaign
Did you know, more than 90% of the world’s children breathe polluted air each day? And many of them breathe this dirty air on their way to and from school.
Transforming the space around schools can make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of children and young people. One way to do this is through School Streets – where walking, cycling and active travel are prioritised over cars on the roads around schools at drop-off and pick-up times.
Our partners the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) have developed a series of print and digital graphics & resources to help you spread the word about the need for healthy environments in and around schools.
Download the materials below and post them on social media using the hashtags #SchoolStreets and #EscuelasQueQueremos!
Share this page on:
Why does reducing air pollution around schools matter?
Air pollution is the fourth biggest cause of death in the world, and the leading cause of disease in Western Europe.
According to the World Health Organization, nine out of ten children under the age of 15 breathe polluted air. Children and adolescents are one of the most vulnerable populations to air pollution, and the effects on their health and development can last a lifetime.
As school is the place where children and adolescents spend most of their time after home, it makes sense to prioritise clean air and reducing the number of polluting cars in these areas.
Over to you. Can you guess what the following numbers are linked to?*
20%
Children receive 20% of their daily dose of black carbon (a type of air pollutant) on their commute from home to school. This happens in a short period of time, equivalent to 6% of their day, and when pollution peaks.
Find out more
33%
Traffic pollution in Europe causes 33% of childhood asthma cases and increases the risk of asthma by 45%.
Find out more
77%
Motor vehicles cause up to 77% of particulate pollution in some cities and almost a quarter of CO2 worldwide.
Find out more
*All figures cited here are courtesy of researchers at our partner organisation, ISGlobal.
Find out more
Download this ISGlobal factsheet to find out more about the health impacts of air pollution in children and adolescents.
Social media visuals
Download the materials below and post them on social media using the hashtags #SchoolStreets and #EscuelasQueQueremos!
Looking for more content?
Explore & download the full series of images and use our social media captions.
infographics
Download or share these infographics to help spread the word about the need for healthy environments in and around schools.
Tell Europe's leaders to stop toxic air around schools
As well as using these print and social media materials, you can also add your voice to our ongoing petition to stop toxic air around schools in Europe
