New study reveals unexpected side effects of London's clean air policies: 'Making the case for ... initiatives stronger than ever'
Londoners are breathing easier, according to new research from the University of Bath. The study, published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, revealed that Greater London's clean air regulations are not only helping clear the air but also improving public health and saving the city money.
London implemented the Low Emission Zone in 2008 and the Ultra Low Emission Zone in 2019. After analyzing more than a decade's worth of data, researchers discovered these clean air zones had slashed the amount of harmful pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, in the areas.
In that time, Greater London had 18.5% fewer employees take sick leave, with residents also reporting they were happier, less anxious, and enjoying their lives more. Respiratory illnesses were down just over 10%, and there was a nearly 7% decline in health problems. Thanks to these improvements, the zones are estimated to be saving the city over £37 million each year in public health costs.
And not only does the policy improve public health, but reduced air pollution can also help slow down rising global temperatures fueled by the reliance on dirty energy, which are contributing to more extreme weather events such as wildfires and droughts.
"These policies are not just environmental wins," said professor Eleonora Fichera of the Department of Economics. "They're also reducing labor market absenteeism and improving Londoners' life satisfaction. Clean air makes for healthier, happier, more productive communities."
With so many concerning headlines linking pollution to unhealthy and unhappy communities, this is evidence that policy changes can make a big difference. Many studies have found smart city planning, such as expanding green spaces and making neighborhoods more walkable, can boost community health.
According to the World Health Organization, air pollution leads to over 4 million premature deaths each year around the world. These findings offer a compelling case for rolling out similar policies globally, especially in cities with dense populations.
"Clean air policy is smart policy," lead researcher Habtamu Beshir added. "It protects health, saves money, and enhances quality of life — making the case for clean air initiatives stronger than ever."
Do you think your city has good air quality?
Definitely
Somewhat
Depends on the time of year
Not at all
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
People Are Sharing The Helpful Little Habits They Do To Help Out "Future Me," And Several Of These Are Lifesavers
If you're not in the habit of doing things to help out your future self, it can seem overwhelming figuring out where to start. Recently, people on Reddit shared the simple habits they've picked up that their future selves are going to love, and it's full of great ideas! Here are some of the top comments: 1."I always clean my apartment on Thursday, so when I come home from work on Friday evening, I can immediately start to relax and enjoy the weekend in a nice and tidy home." —floppyoyster "I like to clean up my house before going to sleep. I call it 'closing shift.' I'll set my clothes out and get the next day prepared that way." —Cherokeerayne 2."I take about ten minutes in the morning to prep as much as I can for dinner. It makes it soooo much easier at night when I'm beat and keeps me from ordering out." —Unlikely-Stage2224 3."Doing dishes right after eating. Future me always thanks past me for a clean sink." —Fair_Signal3827 "I unload the dishwasher before I cook and load stuff as I go. That way, all I have to do is put the last plates in there and any leftover cookware and hit go." —almostdonestudent "I do this as I meal prep. Then all the week's meals are made, and the kitchen is clean. Future me appreciates it." —fostermonster555 4."I write everything down right away so future me isn't stuck trying to remember what past me forgot." —yummiibabe 5."Getting my clothes ready the night before for the next morning, in case I'm running late." —Adventurous_Task_961 "I prepare most of my work backpack the previous evening — water bottle, laptop, wallet. Also, the clothes/shoes I'm going to wear. So next morning I get dressed easily, pick up bike and backpack, and am out the door 5 minutes after my bathroom routine." —magicmulder 6."Make a game out of taking my meds so I actually remember if I've taken them or not. It's nothing regular, just things I make up in the moment, like stacking them up, sorting by size, throwing them up and catching them in my mouth. If I forget to take them, it ruins my day. If I accidentally take them twice, it ruins the day even more." —Material_Ad9848 7."Going to the gym. Mobility exercises. I'm in my mid-30s and I don't wanna suffer in my 40s and beyond." —HappyOrca2020 "Coming from someone who recently entered his 40s and exercised consistently in those mid-30s: good strategy. Not only do I generally feel better than many of my peers seem to feel, but I have become addicted to the exercise and now enjoy it. My only complaint is that I wrecked hard skiing and had to get a rotator cuff repair, so I'm stuck twiddling my thumbs at home for a summer." —UnprovenMortality 8."Every spring I take $20 and put it in my big jacket and forget about it, so I get a nice surprise in October." —TunaMeltEnjoyer Related: "This Has Taken Me Years And Years And YEARS To Figure Out": This Woman's Clever Way To Tell If Someone Is Your Real Friend Is Being Called The Most Accurate Thing Ever 9."Therapy. I'm dealing with my shit at 33 so hopefully 40-year-old me can not be so terrified that hurting his children will be as easy at it was for his parents to hurt him and he can start a family. I want to start a family... I'm just too afraid that I will end up being the same kind of father mine was. I'm doing the work now so that neither future me nor my future children have to suffer." —iskandar- 10."I load up the coffee maker at night so that half-awake me just has to push the 'start' button in the morning to get it going. I used the timer function of my coffee maker for a few days, but after hitting snooze an inconsistent number of times, I've discovered that it's easier not to set the timer." —MGMan-01 11."When I save a file, I give it a ridiculously specific name, like '2025-06-16_MarketingReport_Q2_Final_ForReview.docx.' It takes an extra 5 seconds, but it saves 'Future Me' from 20 minutes of panicked searching and opening a dozen files named 'Report_final_v2_real_final.docx.'" —zhangsihai 12."Sleeping early so that I don't wake up grumpy." —crazylunaticfringe "Just let Grumpy sleep in." —golfdk 13."Flossing my teeth." —chasington "THIS. I read about a year ago about how flossing at least once or twice a week can lower the chance of having a stroke later on, and it's become part of my regular routine since." —Dangerous_Panda5255 Related: 25 Eye-Opening Confessions From A Trauma Therapist That Changed The Way I Think About Mental Health 14."I always keep extras of certain things on hand that I don't want to run out of. Washing up liquid, toilet paper, soap, hand soap, shampoo, that sort of thing. It makes me feel safer knowing that the moment I finish one, there is another waiting for me." —zeprfrew 15."I'm a nurse. I've been wearing compression socks since I graduated, so I won't need varicose vein surgery at 40. Legs are looking great 10 years in!" —frannieees 16."I make my bed every morning. Future me walks into a tidy room and feels slightly less chaotic." —Madeleine2023 "i always say making the bed sets the tone for the day. I try to make it every day, so I know the day is gonna be tidy and productive. It's a good mental trick, and it's nice to have a freshly made bed when I'm ready to knock out at night." —Talmadge_Mcgooliger 17."Sunscreen on my face so I don't age quickly." —TheOnePoseidon "The last time I got badly sunburned was at a football game in 2016. It was cold out that morning, so I didn't think of putting on sunscreen, and my face was burnt to a crisp. I had to take a day off work so as not to scare everybody with how bad it looked. From that day onward, I always use sunscreen if I am going to be outside, even if it's cool out, even if there are clouds." —RVelts 18."I have a general rule that if I can do something now, I do it now so I don't forget to do it later. Because I absolutely will forget to do that later." —bigloser42 19."Started reading books. I wanted to improve my vocabulary and become an eloquent speaker (English is my second language)." —Appropriate_Fee867 20."I maintain cleaning schedules for major parts of my house. I sweep/vacuum my floors once a week, vacuum my stairs twice a month, and I clean my kitchen as I cook my meals. I kept the cleaning habits going since I got my house almost two years ago. Just keeping up with tidying up takes a few minutes out of my day, keeps my house clean, and saves future me from dealing with a mess when I come home from a long day at work." —robo-dragon 21."Not drinking alcohol." —Ill_Donut555 "Cannot believe the difference this has made for my health, energy, appearance, mood, organization, punctuality, and more. 10/10 recommend, even if it's the hardest thing you've ever done." —bebe_inferno 22."Sit with discomfort and take the time to genuinely process not-fun feelings." —lanais_ "This is so important, and too many people don't do it." —RainierCherree 23."Before every vacation/trip, I make sure I wash my laundry and bedding and tidy around the house so when I come home, I have a fresh bed to sleep in, clean clothes, and a tidy apartment. It feels like someone else cleaned my home for me, lol." —Spiritual-Promise402 24."Putting $20 in an envelope for each kid every week so we always have money for holiday gifts. Even if money is tight, those envelopes are untouchable." —MaxMcLarenTBSL 25."Pack my lunch. I'm not sure how the math works out, but 10 minutes at night saves me 20 minutes in the morning." —chickentender777 26."Wait to make any purchase for 14 days, to consider if I truly need it, to see if I still want it when the fancy wears off, to think on if I'll keep needing it or if I can borrow it somewhere, to look up if there's alternatives if I do need it which might be more affordable, and finally if I still want it then to purchase it for as little as possible. It has saved me a lot of money." —Saratje finally, "Try hard, do my best, and trust in present me's choices. As long as I can sleep well every night, knowing that I tried, even if it ends up failing." —radiantsteak1337 What's a habit you've picked up to help your future self? Share it with us in the comments or the anonymous form below: Also in Goodful: Therapists Are Revealing The Moments That Made Them Break Their "No Judgment" Rule, And I'm Honestly Speechless Also in Goodful: 19 "Garbage" Modern Trends People Refuse To Partake In Despite Their Popularity Also in Goodful: Medical Professionals Are Sharing "Mundane" Things That Actually Make So Many People Sick
Forbes
03-06-2025
- Forbes
20 Tools To Stay Organized And Prevent Leadership Burnout
getty Business leaders today bear a rewarding but heavy burden. As the business landscape has grown progressively more unpredictable in recent years, the stress and pressure that come with running a successful business have also increased. While stress has always been part of the role, these growing challenges are not only resulting in disorganization, but also significant leadership burnout. To help, 20 Forbes Business Council members each share one tool or habit they recommend leaders adopt to stay organized and prevent burnout as a leader. I use a simple weekly priorities list. Each Monday, I write down the three to five things that matter most. Doing this helps me cut through the noise, stay focused on impact and avoid the burnout that comes with chasing every fire. I'd recommend it to any leader, as it's low-tech, provides a high level of clarity and keeps you anchored to what really matters. - Stephen Sokoler, Journey I rely on Notion to stay organized and avoid burnout. It helps me centralize tasks, goals and reflections in one space. I use Notion to journal weekly wins, delegate effectively and track priorities. It brings clarity and control, which are both essential for any leader navigating chaos. - Swami Kakarla, Signitives IT Solutions Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify? I use a notebook split into two. The left side is a journal for daily insights and reflections, while the right side holds my to-do list. This helps me turn observations into creative solutions. Creating a daily to-do list helps with stress because I believe stress comes from an inability to effectively manage your to-do list. - Soon Hagerty, The Good Bowl I use time-blocking in a digital calendar, dedicating strict slots for tasks, emails and breaks. This forces focus, reduces multitasking and protects personal time. It's simple, but it stops work from spilling into nights and weekends, which is a lifesaver for high-pressure roles. - Hannah Ma, Globevisa Group I've gotten pretty attached to Asana as a task list and to-do manager. It's very customizable, enabling prioritization, categorization and tracking. It's also possible to tag team members and get updates all in one place. It can do much more, but that simple view of what's due today, what's coming up and where a task stands helps manage my anxiety. - Rob Davis, NOVUS Each week, our entire team updates a two-week priority document that outlines what matters most across each person's core workstreams, sorted by client. It brings clarity, alignment and focus, helping us stay proactive instead of reactive. It also helps prevent burnout—not by doing less, but by making sure we're all spending time in coordinated and transparent ways. - Julia Rafal-Baer, ILO Group I rely on Jira to keep projects, priorities and team progress crystal clear. It breaks big goals into trackable tasks, which helps me stay organized and avoid feeling overwhelmed. When everything's visible and assigned, it's easier to focus, delegate smartly and keep burnout at bay. - Sabeer Nelliparamban, Tyler Petroleum Inc. I make voice memos for myself. Throughout the day, I capture raw thoughts, reflections or ideas without filtering them. Then, I review and sort them at night. It's like having a conversation with my future self. It keeps my mind decluttered and helps me catch burnout before it sneaks in. Try it—it's clarity on demand. - Arpit Jain, SEO Sets I use Fellow to stay organized and avoid burnout, as it keeps all my meetings, notes and follow-ups in one place. It helps me lead with clarity and focus, and I'd recommend it to any leader looking to stay on top of things without feeling overwhelmed. - Eran Mizrahi, Source86 I keep a physical whiteboard visible from my desk, but it's not for tasks. I use it to map priorities by impact and energy cost, and it grounds me when digital tools become noisy. Seeing the big picture in my own handwriting adds clarity and reduces cognitive clutter. I recommend it because, sometimes, the best way to manage complexity is to step away from the screen. - Antony Goddard, OKKAMI I use Freedom to block apps that hijack my focus. It creates an intentional space to think, build and lead without dopamine traps. The ability to not be available is a leadership advantage most ignore. If you protect your attention, you protect your energy. I recommend it to other leaders because protecting your attention is the fastest way to protect your sanity today. - Sahil Gandhi, Blushush I schedule regular walk-and-talks with my key team members. It's one of the most effective habits I've built as a leader. These informal conversations create space for honest dialogue, build trust and help me stay connected to what's really happening on the ground. Plus, stepping away from a desk often brings fresh perspective and better ideas. - Kent Ingle, Southeastern University I honestly rely on my on-demand TV apps. I love getting hooked on a great show and having something to look forward to that is not related to work and family. The apps force discipline in my work and naturally make me set aside time for fun. - Arar Han, Sabot Family Companies Personal well-being, including both physical and mental health, is vital to enduring the pruning process of entrepreneurship. I utilize MyFitnessPal to track my eating and walking metrics throughout overlapping high-stress weeks. I am able to look at what foods were lacking or sustaining through those days. Focusing on my health has readied me for those challenging moments. Health is wealth and worth caring for. - Paul L. Gunn, Jr., KUOG Corporation My Peloton is nonnegotiable. It's not just a workout—it's how I clear my head, sharpen my focus and get ahead of the day before it begins. Leadership demands clarity under pressure, and my bike gives me that. Before I touch my calendar, I break a sweat. It's discipline, therapy and strategy all rolled into one. - Jeffrey Herzog, Avenue Z I use a personal red flag tracker to catch the early signs of burnout, such as skipping workouts or checking Slack nonstop. These small changes in habit signal that I'm off-balance, so I reset fast when a few stack up. As a leader, you can't always slow down, so spotting the drift early keeps you sharp and prevents bigger issues. - Zain Jaffer, Zain Ventures Running offers a powerful way to prevent burnout through both physical and mental rejuvenation. Regular running creates critical mental space by disconnecting you from digital distractions, allowing your mind to process challenges subconsciously. The meditative quality of running promotes mindfulness as you focus on breathing and movement, sparking creative solutions. - Jay Mehta, Seldon Capital In my experience leading cross-functional teams, using AI for meeting notes and task scheduling has been a major help. It frees up mental space, keeps priorities clear and prevents overwhelm. I recommend it to any leader who wants to stay focused on strategy instead of getting lost in day-to-day work. - Andrew Lopez, 1000 Media The Superhuman email client has completely changed the way I approach email. It sorts through the clutter better than any other client I've used before, getting me to inbox zero in record time. I also love that the founder pushes weekly updates to the product, so it's constantly getting better. - Larry Bomback, Strategic Nonprofit Finance I track sleep, not tasks. After nearly derailing during a major deal after weeks of nights with four hours of sleep, I realized my to-do lists were pointless if my brain was running on fumes. My sleep app is now my most crucial dashboard. When my sleep debt rises, I delegate or reschedule. I'm a better leader and developer of talent since prioritizing recovery over productivity. - Shayne Fitz-Coy, Sabot Family Companies
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Yahoo
Why more than 50,000 passengers have booked on 'flights to nowhere' from UK airports like Heathrow and Gatwick
Nervous Londoners have been invited to take a 'flight to nowhere' from Heathrow Airport in a bid to cure their fears of flying. More than 50,000 people have booked onto British Airways' Flying with Confidence Course since 1986 to try and overcome their fear of flying, the airline has revealed. See also: I'm a travel writer who had a fear of flying — here's how I overcame it The one-day course, which costs £399 and next takes place on June 28, has a 98% success rate and has been designed by pilots and cabin crew to help frightened passengers. Speaking to the Independent last year, the programme's director, Captain Steve Allright, explained: 'When they come off the aeroplane at the end of the day, there's tears of emotion. 'You hear things like, 'I'm a changed woman – thank you so much, I can go and visit my grandchildren in Australia'. 'All the research shows that one in four people has some kind of fear of flying, and one in 12 has significant difficulties. So there are literally millions of people around the world that have this fear.' During the event British Airways pilots give a presentation about how an aircraft flies and operates, particularly focusing on turbulence and flight safety. A psychologist also speaks to soon-to-be passengers to help them cope with their fears and how best to deal with anxiety and feelings of panic. The day finishes with a 45-minute flight returning to the same airport as take-off, and passengers are accompanied by a team of pilots, cabin crew and psychologists. Events take place at Heathrow and Gatwick as well as locations across the UK, including Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
