A bipartisan group of Members of Parliament has announced plans to reintroduce a bill in honor of a nine-year-old schoolgirl who tragically passed away from an asthma attack believed to be linked to air pollution.
Known as Ella’s Law, the proposed legislation is named after Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, who lived just 82 feet from the bustling South Circular Road in Lewisham, London, England. In February 2013, she suffered a fatal asthma attack, becoming the first person to have air pollution listed as a cause of death following a significant inquest in 2020.
Sian Berry, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, will be presenting the bill to the British House of Commons with a speech scheduled for Tuesday, July 1. The primary goal of Ella’s Law is to establish clean air as a fundamental human right under the country’s legal framework. If passed, the bill would mandate the British Government to achieve clean air throughout England by January 1, 2030, outlining a clear pathway to align the nation with the air pollution guidelines set by the World Health Organization.
The bill has garnered support from cross-party MPs representing Labour, Liberal Democrat, SNP, and Independent parties. There is optimism that additional MPs will endorse the bill, with hopes that the government will incorporate it in the upcoming King’s Speech.
Rosamund Adoo Kissi-Debrah, Ella’s mother, has been a staunch advocate for stricter air pollution regulations since her daughter’s tragic passing. A version of Ella’s Law was previously navigated through the House of Lords by Green party peer Jenny Jones in 2022. Subsequently, Caroline Lucas MP sponsored the bill in the Commons until Parliament was dissolved for the 2024 general election.
Ms. Berry emphasized the significance of taking action to prevent preventable deaths caused by air pollution, stating that deaths like Ella’s could be preventable if governments implement the necessary measures. She highlighted Rosamund’s impactful campaign and the growing awareness of air pollution as a pressing issue across communities.
As Clean Air Day was observed last week by various stakeholders, including campaigners, health professionals, local authorities, and schools, the detrimental effects of toxic air pollution in the UK were underscored. It is estimated that toxic air pollution leads to between 29,000 and 43,000 premature deaths annually in the UK, according to The Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution.
Sarah Sleet, the chief executive at Asthma + Lung UK, emphasized the urgent need for action to safeguard public health, particularly for individuals living with lung conditions who are disproportionately affected by toxic air pollution.
Ella’s estate, managed by Ms. Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, pursued legal action against the Environment Department, the Department for Transport, and the Department of Health and Social Care for compensation related to Ella’s illness and premature death. In October of last year, the three government departments settled the claim and issued a formal apology to Ms. Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, acknowledging that no child should endure what Ella experienced.
The ongoing efforts to pass Ella’s Law reflect a broader push for environmental justice and public health protection. As the campaign gains momentum, the collective action of MPs and advocates underscores the critical need for clean air as a fundamental right for all individuals, regardless of their background or location.
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