Post by Michael Wanyama

You cannot meaningfully talk about planetary health without prioritizing children’s health. In most global transport emissions conversations, carbon monoxide (CO) receives far less attention than pollutants like, CO2, particulate matter or NOx. That’s largely because in many high-income countries, stricter vehicle regulations, cleaner fuel standards, and better roads have made CO a less urgent risk. But in Africa, the story is different & far more dangerous. School transport fleets in Uganda are often among the oldest vehicles on the road. To keep costs low, many receive only the most basic maintenance. Combined with dusty, poorly maintained roads, engines struggle to intake clean air, filters clog rapidly, and vehicles begin running rich fuel mixtures. The result is high CO emissions, alongside NOx and other pollutants — a silent and overlooked threat directly affecting the children these vehicles carry. With support from the Our Kids' Climate Microgrant, Autosafety - Uganda is working with schools in Kampala to understand the extent of this exposure and protect children’s health by: ✅ Testing tailpipe emissions of school transport vehicles & recommending practical improvements like reduced idling, proper & timely maintenance servicing ✅ Strengthening mechanic capacity to preserve emission-control systems ✅ Identifying feasible clean & electric mobility pathways ✅ Using evidence to inform future child-focused transport policy The world may not talk much about CO — but here, it is a real and present danger. Protecting children means addressing the emissions that matter in our context, not just those that matter globally. A healthier planet begins with healthier children. 🌍👧🏾👶🏼💚 Our Kids' Climate Jill Kubit Rowan Ryrie Matilda B. Juliana Russar Maya Mailer Charlotte Howell Urmi Buragohain Juliana Russar Catarina Nefertari Oladosu Adenike Claire Kraatz Clarissa Canova Hikma Abdulghani Nellie A.V. Chaban Project Drawdown Heather Jones PhD, MBA Yoann B. Mallery Crowe Denis Pöhler Airyx GmbH - Spin-off from the University of Heidelberg/Germany #PlanetaryHealth #KidsDeserveCleanAir #ClimateAction #AirPollution #CleanAirForAll #ClimateJustic #EnvironmentalHealth #SustainableDevelopment #JustTransition #ClimateSolutions #ProtectChildren #TransportEmissions #GreenMobility #AfricaClimateAction #CommunityAction #SustainableTransport