How Did London Get Rid of Smog?

By Robert Palmer

London, the capital of England, was once infamous for its thick smog. The smog was so dense that it could block out the sun and make it difficult to breathe.

However, today, London is a much cleaner and greener city. So how did London get rid of smog? In this article, we will explore the causes of smog in London and the measures taken to eliminate it.

What is Smog?

Smog is a type of air pollution caused by a mixture of smoke and fog. It is made up of several pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. These pollutants are released into the atmosphere by various sources such as vehicles, factories, and power plants.

The Great Smog of 1952

London’s most severe episode of smog occurred in December 1952 and lasted for five days. The Great Smog of 1952 was caused by a combination of weather conditions and air pollution from coal burning in homes and factories. The pollution was so thick that visibility dropped to a few meters, causing chaos on the roads and leading to respiratory problems for many people.

The Clean Air Act

The Great Smog of 1952 prompted the British government to take action against air pollution. In 1956, they passed the Clean Air Act which aimed to reduce air pollution by regulating emissions from homes, factories, and power plants. This act led to a significant reduction in coal burning in homes which was one of the major sources of air pollution.

Low Emission Zones

In recent years, London has introduced low emission zones (LEZ) which restrict vehicles with high emissions from entering certain parts of the city. This measure has helped to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in these areas.

Public Transportation

London has an extensive public transportation system which includes buses, trains, and the underground. The introduction of hybrid and electric buses has helped to reduce emissions from public transportation. Additionally, the use of bicycles has become increasingly popular in London, with the introduction of bike-sharing schemes such as Santander Cycles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, London’s success in reducing smog can be attributed to a combination of legislative measures and technological advancements. The Clean Air Act was a major turning point in London’s battle against air pollution, and subsequent measures such as low emission zones and hybrid buses have helped to maintain this progress. It is clear that London still has work to do in terms of reducing air pollution further, but it is on the right track towards becoming a cleaner and greener city for generations to come.

  • The Clean Air Act: This act led to a significant reduction in coal burning in homes which was one of the major sources of air pollution.
  • Low Emission Zones: These restrict vehicles with high emissions from entering certain parts of the city.
  • Public Transportation: The introduction of hybrid and electric buses has helped to reduce emissions from public transportation.

The Great Smog of 1952 was caused by a combination of weather conditions and air pollution from coal burning in homes and factories.

It is clear that London still has work to do in terms of reducing air pollution further,

The Clean Air Act was a major turning point in London’s battle against air pollution,

and subsequent measures such as low emission zones and hybrid buses have helped to maintain this progress.

Additionally, the use of bicycles has become increasingly popular in London,

with the introduction of bike-sharing schemes such as Santander Cycles.