As many people are aware, the globe shares at least one problem; climate change. Climate change is when elevated levels of pollution warm up the world. It's called the greenhouse effect, and one of the main causes of the greenhouse effect is cars.
Hertfordshire County Council recently listed Sawbridgeworth as one of the most air-polluted towns in the county. The road that runs through the heart of the town was identified as the main reason for this.
Around Leventhorpe, the air quality is poor, particularly in the morning and afternoon (pick up and collection time). Most of this is due to cars leaving their engines on (idling) when waiting to collect their children from school.
It is against the law to leave your car engine on when stationary, though many people do not know this or do not think it is important.
A short while ago, Leventhorpe School selected ten climate ambassadors to investigate pollution around our school. The school borrowed two air pollution monitors from Hertfordshire County Council, and measurements showed that the pollution levels near Leventhorpe were highest in the “drop off” period between 8.30 am and 9.05 am.
The team will continue to measure pollution levels so that a plan can be made to work with our school community to bring down pollution. In the meantime, we must all work together to stop climate change and global warming.
The solution is simple; turn off your car engines when dropping off and collecting students from Leventhorpe School and help us to reduce pollution in our area.