We all deserve thriving nature, clean air and safe waters
Demand a healthy environment nowWhat's a pollution hotspot?
Pollution hotspots are neighbourhoods where wildlife is exposed to damaging levels of pollution from multiple sources, including polluted rivers, dirty air, blinding lights and loud noises.
A whopping 27% of all neighbourhoods in England are classified as pollution hotspots.
And it's not just wildlife that's impacted. Many of us are breathing the same dirty air, with no choice but to live near sewage-infested rivers and polluted, noisy roads. That’s why we’re building a record of public support for a new Environmental Rights Act. To enshrine our right to a healthy environment in law.
How does pollution impact wildlife?
Air pollution
Air pollution is linked to up to 43,000 deaths every year in the UK. And humans aren't the only victims. We rely on bees and other insects to pollinate crops that feed us, but noxious fumes from vehicles are a huge threat to pollinators, confusing our honeybees and making it almost impossible to follow the scent trails of flowers.
Water pollution
Otters, fish, frogs and other creatures have little protection against the sewage, chemicals and slurry being pumped into our rivers and seas. Sewage alone was poured into our waterways over 1,000 times a day in 2023.
Noise and light pollution
Did you know loud noises and bright artificial lights are also pollutants? They can be so disruptive that animals can’t find food or communicate with each other.
Protect wildlife from pollution now
Imagine if our rivers were crystal clear. If our towns weren't plagued by air pollution. If every street and park was filled with birdsong.
Our current laws don’t do enough to stop polluters or force them to clean up their act. That's why we're campaigning for a new law to help hold polluters accountable: the Right to a Healthy Environment.
Methodology for pollution hotspots
Our analysis identifies pollution hotspots in England where multiple pollution issues are all above thresholds agreed to harm nature. In some cases, such as air pollution, they're known to impact humans too.
These hotspots highlight areas where combined pollution impacts are most severe, rather than showing which areas are free from pollution. Where pollution is below the set thresholds, it doesn't mean pollution is absent, just that it's below the thresholds we've used.
Our pollution hotspots data reveals areas where wildlife is most affected by air, light, noise and water pollution that surpass damaging levels.
