Clean Air Day takes place every June. Next week, on Wednesday 22nd January, a sister event called Clean Air Night, run by Global Action Plan will take place to spark a conversation about wood burning across the country. The aim is to ensure everyone can make informed decisions about how to heat their homes.

Every year air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK. The World Health Organisation and the UK government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today.

Wood burning emits more carbon dioxide than coal, oil or gas and is considered the least climate-friendly heating option. Recent research reveals that even homes using newer “ecodesign” wood burners are three times more polluted than those without. Wood burning not only harms your health, but also your wallet and the planet. Pressures on household finances or desires to be more eco-friendly may tempt people to burn wood, but research actually shows that wood burning produces more carbon emissions than oil or gas and is almost always more expensive than other forms of heating.

Visit cleanairnight.org.uk to find out more and join the conversation on Clean Air Night.