Most Recent Event:

Clean Air Day 2024

On the 7th of September, the United Nations’ International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (Clean Air Day) was celebrated for the second time in Ireland, in Cork City. There were many different events and activities held to raise awareness about air pollution and the importance of “Clean Air Now” for our health and wellbeing.

The BehavIAir team held an event for community celebration and clean air stories in the Council Chambers in Cork City. We had several clean air champions share their stories and talk about the changes we have made one year on from the first ever Clean Air Day events in Cork last year. It was brilliant to provide accounts of all the improvements we have accomplished as a community but also to share insights into the things we still need to implement to raise awareness on the topic of air pollution.

Table of Contents:

1. Roundtable – Vision for Clean Air in Cork City 2023
2. Clean-Air Workshops
3. Raising Awareness
4. Working with Health Promotion around Clean Air outside Schools
5. Informing Policy and Decision Making

The visions and actions that emerged in the roundtable as part of the vision for Clean Air in Cork City, were identified by stakeholders and are summarised in this mind map above. The roundtable discussions highlighted four key desirable outcomes to achieve clean air for all in Cork City

This is a map to show where we have completed our workshops so far! Have fun and explore some of the locations. Read below to learn more about the workshops in detail

We had such a brilliant time at our creative workshop on the evening of the 11th of April. Everyone took some time to collaborate and share their clean air stories while learning a little bit more about air pollution and working towards actionable solutions.

It was fantastic to collaborate and discuss some clean air stories with students in UCC who took part in our workshop on the 12th of April. Everyone shared their personal perspective and experiences with clean air and air pollution while coming together to learn more.

We had a fantastic workshop with Green Spaces for Health and Togher Community Garden in the beautiful natural space that they have created in Clashduv Park.

Togher Community Garden are amazing Clean Air Champions who are promoting and caring for the natural lungs of the city. We chatted about air pollution in where information about air pollution can be accessed, what causes it, what the health impacts are, and importantly, what we can do as a community to promote healthy air for all.

An insightful & inspiring workshop with members of Douglas Street Business Association. They are true Clean Air Champions who care for their community Top 3 actions for healthy air:

• More Nature
• Learning about air quality in Cork City
• Talk to others about air pollution and health

We had some brilliant workshops with these Clean Air Superheroes in their communities. We really enjoyed learning more Clean Air stories and what these groups do for their environment. They really are champions for clean air.

School Clean Air Workshops

Brilliant ideas and enthusiasm from students of Coláiste Éamann Rís. Discussions surrounding reducing solid fuel use, opting for more active travel options and learning about air quality and health. A very proactive group of students in Scoil Mhuire who were passionate about breathing safely when travelling to school voted for reduction of solid fuels and active travel to school.

We had a fantastic time in St. Luke’s National School in Douglas talking about clean air. The students were brilliant and everyone got involved discussing clean air and coming up with solutions to protect children with asthma from air pollution.

We had brilliant fun in Scoil Niocláis in Grange discussing clean air strategies and learning about what we can do as a community to encourage everyone to be more conscious about air pollution especially for the more vulnerable people in our society. The students all got involved in brainstorming ideas for better clean air.

Such a fantastic time at Masaryk University with students from the Department of Information and Library Studies (KISK). Our first international workshop led by our team member Roberto Cibin! Everyone got involved sharing their ideas and Clean Air Stories. Have a look at their website here.

More workshops to come. Visit the “Get Involved” page to learn more information

Public Talks

We have been invited at different events in the City to talk about our project and raise awareness of air pollution risks and solutions. These events included the Get Cork Walking Showcase 2023, The VQ Green Network December meeting, the Cork Healthy Cities Steering Group meeting, and the Glanmire Chamber of Commerce January 2024 meeting.

Clean Air Night 2024

In January 2024, the BehaviAir team contributed in an advisory role to Cork City Council’s first ever Clean Air Night on the 24^th January 2024, to encourage members of the community to take steps to promote clean air nights without dirty air in Cork. We supported this work with a social media communication campaign (see on Twitter/X)

To further support this initiative, in January 2024 Dr. Dean Venables and Dr. Marica Cassarino co-wrote an opinion piece for the Irish Examiner discussing the risks associated with air pollution from solid fuel burning, and the actions that individuals and households can take to reduce this risk. The opinion piece can be accessed here.

On the 7th of September, the United Nations’ International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (Clean Air Day) was celebrated for the second time in Ireland. We held an event for community celebration and clean air stories in the Council Chambers in Cork City. We had several clean air champions share their stories and talk about the changes we have made one year on from the first ever Clean Air Day events in Cork.

A key aim of BehaviAir is to inform policy that can help promote clean air for all. Below is our first contribution to a Public Consultation

• BehaviAir Submission to the Draft Cork City Council Climate Action Plan 2024-2029, December 2023
• BehaviAir contribution to Climate and Health Alliance position paper on air quality and health:
  • Our team is currently involved with Cork Healthy Cities and Cork City Council partners in a working group within Climate and Health Alliance to draft and publish a position paper on the need for clean air to promote healthy air. More updates to come.