ChokedUp
Fighting for the right to breathe clean, safe air
Who We Are: We’re a youth-led campaign fighting for the right of Black, Brown, low-income, and young communities to breathe clean, safe air where we live, study, and work.
What’s the problem? Breathing clean air shouldn’t depend on where you live. But Right now it does… That’s why Choked Up exists. The Clean Air Law isn’t protecting us. That’s why we’re taking a stand for it. Air pollution is the UK’s most urgent environmental health crisis. It contributes to asthma, heart disease, strokes, cancer, pregnancy complications and shortened life expectancy.
The real kicker? It affects Black and Brown communities, children, and low-income families the most because they’re exposed to the highest levels of pollution simply because of where they live, study and work.
How are we solving it?
Alongside residents, activists, health professionals and partner organisations, we are building a people-powered movement demanding clean air for all. From grassroots action to city-wide mobilisation, we will continue to raise our voices until the systems harming us are dismantled.
Our campaign began within local communities. We work with residents, grassroots groups, regional organisations and young people to educate, share lived experiences, and empower the communities most affected by toxic air to lead the fight for change. By prioritising policy influence and direct action, we’re putting clean air on the policy agenda, working directly with the Mayor’s office and the national government to demand clean air legislation that protects the communities hit hardest by pollution.
Campaign Wins
Working with other campaigners, our local campaign activities and the publication of air pollution data resulted in over 30 air pollution stories across TV, print and online media, reaching approximately 107 million people. In 2021, on Mayoral election night, the BBC reported that air pollution was number four on the ‘to do’ list of the incoming mayor. After being re-elected to office, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, acted on all three of the coalition’s asks:
- An expanded ULEZ: Road transport is the single biggest contributor of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter emissions in Greater London. The expanded ULEZ was launched in October 2021 and expanded London-wide in 2023, covering all London boroughs up to the M25 boundary.
- Zero-emission buses coming earlier: The mayor brought forward the date for launching zero-emission buses from 2037 to 2034. As of 2026, the 9,000-strong bus fleet is now 100% low or zero-emission at the tailpipe.
- Red routes fining policy: In August 2021, Transport for London (TfL) proposed increasing fines on the Red Routes – the first increase in a decade – to make these roads “cleaner and less congested for everyone”. In December 2021, the mayor released a new emissions inventory and, for the first time ever, the report went into detail scrutinising progress on the red route network, acknowledging the issue.
How can I help?
If you’re interested in organising for change, no matter where you are in the UK, reach out to us here!
