How can we help people see the damage air pollution does to our lungs, to create a platform for change?
Krakow is one of the most polluted cities in the EU (8th in 2018), according to the WHO. Citizens formed Krakow Smog Alert in response to this problem, and successfully campaigned for a ban on solid fuel heating – burning things like wood, charcoal, peat or coal. This is one of the main sources of air pollution in the country.
Yet without a ban in smaller cities surrounding Krakow, air pollution levels remain dangerously high.
To help raise awareness, Krakow Smog Alert borrowed an idea from India and created a large set of lungs that mimic the effects of air pollution inside the human body.
Exhibited in 6 cities for 14 days each, the lungs turned from white to grey as dust particles settled on them. The campaign encouraged people to apply for government subsidies to replace their old boilers with cleaner heating boilers.
The campaign attracted so much attention that several cities introduced new measures to improve air quality:
The campaign has created much interest from mayors, NGOs, schools and individuals, and Purpose Climate Lab is now working with Polish Smog Alert to bring the lungs to several new places, and create further impetus to clean Poland’s air.
