AIR POLLUTION

Airport expansion will add pollution to the air you breathe.

• There will be more frequent flights which will be flying lower on take-off.

NOx emissions (which form acid in the lungs) from aviation have doubled between 1990 and 2014, and their relative share has quadrupled, as other economic sectors have achieved significant reductions. Aviation NOx are scheduled to grow by a further 43% between 2014 and 2035 [European Aviation Environmental Report - 2016].

• If Southampton airport is allowed to expand its relative contribution to air pollution will increase.

Airport expansion will also increase noise and CO2 ….but reduce trees.

Former UK Environment secretary Michael Gove recently said: “Trees are vital in the fight against climate change, which is why we must go further and faster to increase planting rates".

“We need trees lining the streets of our cities and towns, not only to green and shade them but to ensure that we remain connected to the wonders of the natural world and the health and wellbeing benefits that it brings us.”

He described planting trees as “crucial” in tackling the global climate emergency because trees store carbon. Trees in urban areas are linked with improved levels of health and wellbeing, connect people with the outdoors, absorb noise, reduce flood risk, lower temperatures through shading, and create green spaces in which people can come together.

In order to expand, Southampton airport has bought Marlhill Copse in order to reduce the height of 219 trees there. Some will be completely felled (at least 20) and about 93 ‘crown-reduced’ by over 10 metres.

This is outrageous in its own right…..however…... if they can’t wreck Marlhill Copse they can’t expand the airport.

There has been a temporary High Court injunction forbidding any tree-works at Marlhill Copse. However lawyers for Southampton City Council and the airport have had this withdrawn.

The value of air quality regulation, for all pollutants, provided by urban woodland in the UK was more than £205 million in 2015 [Office of National Statistics – 2017].

In Southampton, of the 8 areas having significantly higher than average prevalence of asthma only one has some significant woodland - and that is opposite Fawley oil refinery.

Full leaflet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ha-z32lNopCOADS8Z06aRWGZ8pJ4sbmX/view?usp=sharing [May 2019]

End fuel tax petition: https://www.endingaviationfueltaxexemption.eu/