Ben Pearce
@benrpearce.bsky.social
Head of Health Effects of Air Pollution @impurbanhealth.bsky.social
Co-Founder @ Power Up North London
Expect music, capybara, #coys, other silly chat
Views my own
Co-Founder @ Power Up North London
Expect music, capybara, #coys, other silly chat
Views my own
Reposted by Ben Pearce
Air pollution kills thousands a year in the UK and abroad – why isn’t there a bigger uproar? | Devi Sridhar
Air pollution kills thousands a year in the UK and abroad – why isn’t there a bigger uproar? | Devi Sridhar
Initiatives such as London’s ULEZ can be a model for other cities. But even more could be done to save lives and protect us from deadly toxins in the air, says Prof Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Air pollution kills thousands a year in the UK and abroad – why isn’t there a bigger uproar? | Devi Sridhar
Reposted by Ben Pearce
In news that should surprise no one…
280 million e-bikes are slashing oil demand far more than electric vehicles
E-bikes and scooters displace 4x as much demand for oil as all of the EVs in the world.
arstechnica.com
January 1, 2026 at 10:10 PM
In news that should surprise no one…
Reposted by Ben Pearce
🔎We've visualised air quality in London.
🔥Check out our interactive guide to see the sources of air pollution across boroughs.
https://urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/data/data-air-pollution-laei
🔥Check out our interactive guide to see the sources of air pollution across boroughs.
https://urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/data/data-air-pollution-laei
What the latest data reveals about air pollution
As part of our commitment to equitably improving air quality, we're sharing the latest insights from the London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (LAEI), a crucial dataset that maps sources of air pollu...
urbanhealth.org.uk
December 27, 2025 at 7:49 AM
🔎We've visualised air quality in London.
🔥Check out our interactive guide to see the sources of air pollution across boroughs.
https://urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/data/data-air-pollution-laei
🔥Check out our interactive guide to see the sources of air pollution across boroughs.
https://urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/data/data-air-pollution-laei
Reposted by Ben Pearce
Southwark council is waiving parking fees for car clubs.
This is a *very* welcome first step from @jamesmcash.bsky.social and is the start of building a policy environment that supports car clubs in London.
We now need all boroughs to follow Southwark’s lead.
www.standard.co.uk/news/transpo...
This is a *very* welcome first step from @jamesmcash.bsky.social and is the start of building a policy environment that supports car clubs in London.
We now need all boroughs to follow Southwark’s lead.
www.standard.co.uk/news/transpo...
Zipcar offered free parking permits as London borough mounts bid to save car club
Southwark offers firm use of about 200 parking bays and calls on other boroughs to offer similar incentives
www.standard.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Southwark council is waiving parking fees for car clubs.
This is a *very* welcome first step from @jamesmcash.bsky.social and is the start of building a policy environment that supports car clubs in London.
We now need all boroughs to follow Southwark’s lead.
www.standard.co.uk/news/transpo...
This is a *very* welcome first step from @jamesmcash.bsky.social and is the start of building a policy environment that supports car clubs in London.
We now need all boroughs to follow Southwark’s lead.
www.standard.co.uk/news/transpo...
Reposted by Ben Pearce
It's time to celebrate!🥳🥳
We’ve been awarded National Lottery funding to help power our growth. It’s a brilliant recognition of what we’ve achieved so far, and a big vote of confidence in our ambitions for the future.
A massive thank you to the millions of National Lottery players. We love you!♥️♥️
We’ve been awarded National Lottery funding to help power our growth. It’s a brilliant recognition of what we’ve achieved so far, and a big vote of confidence in our ambitions for the future.
A massive thank you to the millions of National Lottery players. We love you!♥️♥️
December 18, 2025 at 12:03 PM
It's time to celebrate!🥳🥳
We’ve been awarded National Lottery funding to help power our growth. It’s a brilliant recognition of what we’ve achieved so far, and a big vote of confidence in our ambitions for the future.
A massive thank you to the millions of National Lottery players. We love you!♥️♥️
We’ve been awarded National Lottery funding to help power our growth. It’s a brilliant recognition of what we’ve achieved so far, and a big vote of confidence in our ambitions for the future.
A massive thank you to the millions of National Lottery players. We love you!♥️♥️
Reposted by Ben Pearce
Air pollution will be the subject of our new inquiry, following a winning pitch from @mumsforlungs.bsky.social and @unisouthampton.bsky.social in our Environment in Focus competition.
Find out more: committees.parliament.uk/committee/62...
Find out more: committees.parliament.uk/committee/62...
December 19, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Air pollution will be the subject of our new inquiry, following a winning pitch from @mumsforlungs.bsky.social and @unisouthampton.bsky.social in our Environment in Focus competition.
Find out more: committees.parliament.uk/committee/62...
Find out more: committees.parliament.uk/committee/62...
Reposted by Ben Pearce
NEW: We’re delighted that our founder @jemimavivien.bsky.social & @nateaston.bsky.social's pitch to the @commonseac.parliament.uk for an #AirPollution inquiry has been accepted! Thanks for all the hard work from so many on this - a fantastic end to the year! committees.parliament.uk/publications...
December 19, 2025 at 7:58 AM
NEW: We’re delighted that our founder @jemimavivien.bsky.social & @nateaston.bsky.social's pitch to the @commonseac.parliament.uk for an #AirPollution inquiry has been accepted! Thanks for all the hard work from so many on this - a fantastic end to the year! committees.parliament.uk/publications...
Reposted by Ben Pearce
Air pollution in New York City down 22% after six months of congestion pricing
#airpollution
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
#airpollution
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
A first look into congestion pricing in the United States: PM2.5 impacts after six months of New York City cordon pricing
npj Clean Air - A first look into congestion pricing in the United States: PM2.5 impacts after six months of New York City cordon pricing
www.nature.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Air pollution in New York City down 22% after six months of congestion pricing
#airpollution
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
#airpollution
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
It was positive to see the EIP published earlier this week.
Highlights include:
- Acknowledgement we need to focus on sources such as woodburning and freight
- EU alignment on PM2.5 targets
- Support for local authority AQ teams
- More data to build awareness and engagement with vulnerable groups
Highlights include:
- Acknowledgement we need to focus on sources such as woodburning and freight
- EU alignment on PM2.5 targets
- Support for local authority AQ teams
- More data to build awareness and engagement with vulnerable groups
Ben Pearce @benrpearce.bsky.social, Head of our Health Effects of Air Pollution programme:
"Every year in the UK, air pollution contributes to up to 43,000 premature deaths." 🧵👇1/2
airqualitynews.com/editors-pick...
"Every year in the UK, air pollution contributes to up to 43,000 premature deaths." 🧵👇1/2
airqualitynews.com/editors-pick...
Environmental Improvement Plan sets out UK's air quality ambitions - AirQualityNews
The Government has today launched its Environmental Improvement Plan, setting out goals and commitments to improving the natural environment and outlining measures to improve air quality and the…
airqualitynews.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:35 PM
It was positive to see the EIP published earlier this week.
Highlights include:
- Acknowledgement we need to focus on sources such as woodburning and freight
- EU alignment on PM2.5 targets
- Support for local authority AQ teams
- More data to build awareness and engagement with vulnerable groups
Highlights include:
- Acknowledgement we need to focus on sources such as woodburning and freight
- EU alignment on PM2.5 targets
- Support for local authority AQ teams
- More data to build awareness and engagement with vulnerable groups
Reposted by Ben Pearce
Today I joined @mayoroflondon.bsky.social at his second Clean Air and Health Summit, bringing together environment and health leaders, and government ministers, to help drive action to tackle toxic air pollution.
www.london.gov.uk/Mayor%20Conv...
www.london.gov.uk/Mayor%20Conv...
November 27, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Today I joined @mayoroflondon.bsky.social at his second Clean Air and Health Summit, bringing together environment and health leaders, and government ministers, to help drive action to tackle toxic air pollution.
www.london.gov.uk/Mayor%20Conv...
www.london.gov.uk/Mayor%20Conv...
Reposted by Ben Pearce
Since Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah became the first person in the UK to have air pollution listed as a cause of death, nationwide progress on air pollution hasn’t happened fast enough.
I urge everyone to back Ella's Law – a healthier, fairer future for Britain’s children is at stake.
I urge everyone to back Ella's Law – a healthier, fairer future for Britain’s children is at stake.
November 21, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Since Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah became the first person in the UK to have air pollution listed as a cause of death, nationwide progress on air pollution hasn’t happened fast enough.
I urge everyone to back Ella's Law – a healthier, fairer future for Britain’s children is at stake.
I urge everyone to back Ella's Law – a healthier, fairer future for Britain’s children is at stake.
Reposted by Ben Pearce
NEW: Our DEFRA FOI reveals the budget for local councils to tackle #AirPollution has gone from £225 million a year to just £1.5 million in the last five years.
Cutting air pollution budgets by 99% at a time when children are still breathing illegal & toxic levels of dirty air is indefensible.
Cutting air pollution budgets by 99% at a time when children are still breathing illegal & toxic levels of dirty air is indefensible.
Funding for air pollution cut 99%, campaigners raise alarm
Mums for Lungs warned the cuts will significantly delay efforts to reduce emissions to levels recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). New research from the parent campaign group shows fund...
airqualitynews.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:46 AM
NEW: Our DEFRA FOI reveals the budget for local councils to tackle #AirPollution has gone from £225 million a year to just £1.5 million in the last five years.
Cutting air pollution budgets by 99% at a time when children are still breathing illegal & toxic levels of dirty air is indefensible.
Cutting air pollution budgets by 99% at a time when children are still breathing illegal & toxic levels of dirty air is indefensible.
Reposted by Ben Pearce
The Government must give us more time in Parliament to progress #EllasLaw and make breathing clean air a human right.
Today I joined cross-party MPs, the brilliant
@ellarobertafdn.bsky.social, and clean air activists all calling for stronger action on deadly air pollution.
Today I joined cross-party MPs, the brilliant
@ellarobertafdn.bsky.social, and clean air activists all calling for stronger action on deadly air pollution.
November 12, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The Government must give us more time in Parliament to progress #EllasLaw and make breathing clean air a human right.
Today I joined cross-party MPs, the brilliant
@ellarobertafdn.bsky.social, and clean air activists all calling for stronger action on deadly air pollution.
Today I joined cross-party MPs, the brilliant
@ellarobertafdn.bsky.social, and clean air activists all calling for stronger action on deadly air pollution.
Reposted by Ben Pearce
The @adstandards.bsky.social has found claims made by the Stove Industry Association about wood burning stove emissions to be "misleading and unsubstantiated".
There is so much misinformation out there about #WoodBurning and #AirPollution. We're very pleased to see the truth come to light.
There is so much misinformation out there about #WoodBurning and #AirPollution. We're very pleased to see the truth come to light.
ASA rules against Stove Industry Alliance over misleading claims - AirQualityNews
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned two advertising claims by the Stove Industry Association (SIA) after ruling that the trade body misled consumers about the environmental impact of…
airqualitynews.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The @adstandards.bsky.social has found claims made by the Stove Industry Association about wood burning stove emissions to be "misleading and unsubstantiated".
There is so much misinformation out there about #WoodBurning and #AirPollution. We're very pleased to see the truth come to light.
There is so much misinformation out there about #WoodBurning and #AirPollution. We're very pleased to see the truth come to light.
Reposted by Ben Pearce
Lambeth Council partnered with Big Local North Brixton & Impact on Urban Health to explore heat risk, identifying the most heat-vulnerable areas & with hyper local partners engaging residents directly. This is what climate action looks like: local, collaborative, & full of heart.
lnkd.in/eaCCKyPq
lnkd.in/eaCCKyPq
October 30, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Lambeth Council partnered with Big Local North Brixton & Impact on Urban Health to explore heat risk, identifying the most heat-vulnerable areas & with hyper local partners engaging residents directly. This is what climate action looks like: local, collaborative, & full of heart.
lnkd.in/eaCCKyPq
lnkd.in/eaCCKyPq
Reposted by Ben Pearce
🚲 “Anything that other handymen carry in their vans, I guarantee I can carry in my bike.”
From plumbers to electricians, more and more small businesses are ditching vans for cargo bikes - it’s cleaner, quicker, and makes perfect sense for city logistics.
www.thetimes.com/uk/london/a...
From plumbers to electricians, more and more small businesses are ditching vans for cargo bikes - it’s cleaner, quicker, and makes perfect sense for city logistics.
www.thetimes.com/uk/london/a...
October 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM
🚲 “Anything that other handymen carry in their vans, I guarantee I can carry in my bike.”
From plumbers to electricians, more and more small businesses are ditching vans for cargo bikes - it’s cleaner, quicker, and makes perfect sense for city logistics.
www.thetimes.com/uk/london/a...
From plumbers to electricians, more and more small businesses are ditching vans for cargo bikes - it’s cleaner, quicker, and makes perfect sense for city logistics.
www.thetimes.com/uk/london/a...
Reposted by Ben Pearce
⚖️| NEW BLOG: British policy continues to entrench racial inequality, from economic exclusion to digital surveillance. Our latest blog calls for urgent reform to redress the impact on Black lives. Read here www.ippr.org/articles/unf...
Unfinished business: Redressing inequality in British policy and Black lives | IPPR
The economics of exclusion: Policy, poverty, and the cost of inequalityDeep disparities in wealth and opportunity continue to shape outcomes for Black comm
www.ippr.org
October 28, 2025 at 1:10 PM
⚖️| NEW BLOG: British policy continues to entrench racial inequality, from economic exclusion to digital surveillance. Our latest blog calls for urgent reform to redress the impact on Black lives. Read here www.ippr.org/articles/unf...
Reposted by Ben Pearce
New study from Uni of Birmingham shows the ULEZ reduced #AirPollution across London, but more needs to be done to reduce pollution further - especially from PM2.5.
"As a result, we need to see a modal shift to more active travel and public transport to reduce the number of vehicles on the road".
"As a result, we need to see a modal shift to more active travel and public transport to reduce the number of vehicles on the road".
London's 2019 emissions policy quickly cut air pollution, but may leave little room for further gains
People living, working and visiting London have seen substantial reductions in air pollution following the introduction of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) introduced in 2019, according to a new…
phys.org
October 22, 2025 at 4:02 PM
New study from Uni of Birmingham shows the ULEZ reduced #AirPollution across London, but more needs to be done to reduce pollution further - especially from PM2.5.
"As a result, we need to see a modal shift to more active travel and public transport to reduce the number of vehicles on the road".
"As a result, we need to see a modal shift to more active travel and public transport to reduce the number of vehicles on the road".
Reposted by Ben Pearce
BREAKING: Our latest research shows a 65% increase in complaints in Smoke Control Areas across England since last year.
Families across the country are suffering from neighbours’ burning, yet even after thousands of complaints, barely a handful of fines have been issued. #AirPollution #WoodBurning
Families across the country are suffering from neighbours’ burning, yet even after thousands of complaints, barely a handful of fines have been issued. #AirPollution #WoodBurning
No prosecutions made after 15,195 wood-burning complaints in a year in England
Campaigners say figures reveal a lack of enforcement with just 24 fines issued by councils for rule violations
www.theguardian.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:27 AM
BREAKING: Our latest research shows a 65% increase in complaints in Smoke Control Areas across England since last year.
Families across the country are suffering from neighbours’ burning, yet even after thousands of complaints, barely a handful of fines have been issued. #AirPollution #WoodBurning
Families across the country are suffering from neighbours’ burning, yet even after thousands of complaints, barely a handful of fines have been issued. #AirPollution #WoodBurning
Reposted by Ben Pearce
🔥Wood burners linked to 2,500 deaths a year in the UK, analysis finds.
📉Use of wood-burning stoves and fires in homes is mostly unnecessary and their toxic pollution costs the NHS millions.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
📉Use of wood-burning stoves and fires in homes is mostly unnecessary and their toxic pollution costs the NHS millions.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Wood burners linked to 2,500 deaths a year in the UK, analysis finds
Use of wood-burning stoves and fires in homes is mostly unnecessary and their toxic pollution costs the NHS millions
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:10 AM
🔥Wood burners linked to 2,500 deaths a year in the UK, analysis finds.
📉Use of wood-burning stoves and fires in homes is mostly unnecessary and their toxic pollution costs the NHS millions.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
📉Use of wood-burning stoves and fires in homes is mostly unnecessary and their toxic pollution costs the NHS millions.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Ben Pearce
Introducing our first-ever Community Energy Neighbourhood project!
It’s been a great last week for Power Up North London as we launched our first-ever Community Energy Neighbourhood project in Archway.
Want to find out more and get involved? Contact Feli at info@powerupnorthlondon.org.
It’s been a great last week for Power Up North London as we launched our first-ever Community Energy Neighbourhood project in Archway.
Want to find out more and get involved? Contact Feli at info@powerupnorthlondon.org.
October 20, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Introducing our first-ever Community Energy Neighbourhood project!
It’s been a great last week for Power Up North London as we launched our first-ever Community Energy Neighbourhood project in Archway.
Want to find out more and get involved? Contact Feli at info@powerupnorthlondon.org.
It’s been a great last week for Power Up North London as we launched our first-ever Community Energy Neighbourhood project in Archway.
Want to find out more and get involved? Contact Feli at info@powerupnorthlondon.org.
Reposted by Ben Pearce
Hats off to @deathcardiff.bsky.social & Cardiff cllrs for their new parking policy to charge more for the heaviest SUVs 👏
A <10 child 3x more likely to be killed by an SUV and they don't even fit in urban parking spaces - affecting us all! #carspreading
NEWS: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
A <10 child 3x more likely to be killed by an SUV and they don't even fit in urban parking spaces - affecting us all! #carspreading
NEWS: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
October 17, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Hats off to @deathcardiff.bsky.social & Cardiff cllrs for their new parking policy to charge more for the heaviest SUVs 👏
A <10 child 3x more likely to be killed by an SUV and they don't even fit in urban parking spaces - affecting us all! #carspreading
NEWS: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
A <10 child 3x more likely to be killed by an SUV and they don't even fit in urban parking spaces - affecting us all! #carspreading
NEWS: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Ben Pearce
Our panels explored how to help Londoners access EVs and how to decarbonise commercial fleets through electric freight & e-cargo bikes.
Thanks to Westminster City Council for hosting, and to everyone who joined us to keep London’s clean transport transition moving forward! ⏩
Photos: Honor Elliott
Thanks to Westminster City Council for hosting, and to everyone who joined us to keep London’s clean transport transition moving forward! ⏩
Photos: Honor Elliott
October 17, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Our panels explored how to help Londoners access EVs and how to decarbonise commercial fleets through electric freight & e-cargo bikes.
Thanks to Westminster City Council for hosting, and to everyone who joined us to keep London’s clean transport transition moving forward! ⏩
Photos: Honor Elliott
Thanks to Westminster City Council for hosting, and to everyone who joined us to keep London’s clean transport transition moving forward! ⏩
Photos: Honor Elliott
Reposted by Ben Pearce
Black mothers and children are among those whose health is most affected by air pollution.
We're proud to support Global Child and Maternal Health, who work to ensure Black women's voices are heard by policymakers.
We're proud to support Global Child and Maternal Health, who work to ensure Black women's voices are heard by policymakers.
Advocating for clean air with Black mothers and children
With Global Child and Maternal Health
urbanhealth.org.uk
October 15, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Black mothers and children are among those whose health is most affected by air pollution.
We're proud to support Global Child and Maternal Health, who work to ensure Black women's voices are heard by policymakers.
We're proud to support Global Child and Maternal Health, who work to ensure Black women's voices are heard by policymakers.
Reposted by Ben Pearce
Action on #Dieselgate is taking an “outrageous” amount of time, leaving more than a million dirty diesels still on the road today. This isn't just a corporate scandal, but a #Health scandal as well. It's time the car manufacturers paid. #AirPollution
‘Little lungs are paying’: why the Dieselgate scandal is still running hot
Carmakers accused of cheating air pollution rules have faced little punishment in UK but trial brought by 1.8m motorists is about to begin
www.theguardian.com
October 10, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Action on #Dieselgate is taking an “outrageous” amount of time, leaving more than a million dirty diesels still on the road today. This isn't just a corporate scandal, but a #Health scandal as well. It's time the car manufacturers paid. #AirPollution