Air Pollution: What is the reality and what can you do about it?

On 18 November 2019, Student Law Clinics from more than 30 universities around the world are participating in a global day of action focusing on the issue of air pollution. King’s Legal Clinic is taking part in the global day of action, which reflects its commitment to the climate justice pledge. The Climate justice pledge recognised that climate change is one of the most significant social justice issues we face. Its impacts will be felt most by the poorest and most vulnerable. As a student law clinic with a commitment to social justice, we commit to raising awareness of the issue of climate change in our teaching, research and activism; and to finding ways to support law students to contribute to the struggle for climate justice.

King’s Legal Clinic is delighted that Jenny Bates, air pollution campaigner at Friends of the Earth, and Professor Martin Williams, Head of Science Policy and Epidemiology team at King’s College London and Clean Air Champion for the Clean Air programme will be the speakers for the event. The talk aims to inform provide information about the issue of air quality and it’s impact on public health, to explore the practical solutions that are being explored to deal with air pollution and how you can get involved in tackling this very local and global problem.

Speaker Profiles:

Jenny Bates is an air pollution campaigner for Friends of the Earth. Friends of the Earth stands with anyone who cares about the world we live in, whether you’re a first time supporter or a seasoned campaigner. We work with local groups, experts, business leaders and politicians.

Professor Martin Williams has established a Science Policy Unit at the Environmental Research Group at King's College. In 2019 He was appointed a Clean Air Champion to spearhead a major programme by UK Research and Innovation tackling air pollution. He was previously Head of the Air and Environmental Quality Division of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). He graduated in Chemistry from the University of Wales, Cardiff, and took a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Bristol. After postdoctoral research at UBC in Vancouver, he joined the air pollution division of the Government's Warren Spring Laboratory, becoming its Head in 1982. After a period as technical assistant to the Chief Scientist of the Department of Trade and Industry, he joined the then Department of the Environment to head the Science Unit on Air Quality, becoming Head of the Division in 2002, where he has responsibility for policy on air quality and industrial air pollution control. He is currently chairman of the Executive Body of the UNECE Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution.

King’s Legal Clinic

The event is being hosted by King’s Legal Clinic, which is part of the Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London. King’s Legal Clinic aims to enhance the education of students and promote social justice. It provides free legal advice in a range of areas of law and collaborates with community organisations to provide pro bono service and promote access to justice. To find out more please click here.

The Dickson Poon School of Law at King's College London is one of the oldest law schools in England and recognised globally as one of the best law schools in the world - ranking first in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 and one of the top 25 worldwide (QS). The School was established in 1831, and has played an integral role in the life of King's College London since the College was formed almost 200 years ago. It has one of this country's most distinguished research and teaching reputations - all staff are active in research and among the leading international experts. This helps us to continue to push the boundaries of academic thought and to innovate across disciplines. Sir Dickson Poon's £20m donation to the Law School, the largest in the College's history and believed to be the biggest ever to a British or European law faculty, is part of a £40m transformation project for the School which aims to further its reputation as one of the top law schools in the world and setting new standards in legal education and research.