The Great Smog of London

The Great Smog of London

            The London smog was a severe air-pollution that affected the British capital in the 13^th Century. The beginning of capitalism in England led to industrialization.  By the 1700s, manufacturing had become the backbone of the British capital, London. The significant economic growth led to a rapid expansion of London. The implementation of the railway system further extended the city. As such, the number of urban areas increased considerably. This saw the population around London increase drastically. Markedly, in the 19^th and beginning of 20^th Century, London was the biggest city as well as with the highest population in the world.

As the population increased and industrialization expanded, London began experiencing serious pollution issues. The deteriorating environmental condition led to the occurrence of diseases like Cholera. During this time, the Great Smog also emerged. London’s thriving economy primarily caused the smog. There was a large amount of untreated sewage and excessive combustion of coal fuel. Fuel emissions had intensified as a result of the high number of private vehicles and the rapid establishment of new factories.

While the city had previously experienced smog, this one lasted for five days, leading to adverse effects. The fog interfered with the air circulation of the city. In a single day, the smog had covered St. Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben, and London Bridge. As emissions continued, the smog’s color changed to yellowish-brown. Consequently, the quality of air decreased profoundly. Residents reported that the smog smelt like rotten eggs, which worsened London’s living conditions. Besides, the harmful air pollution hindered numerous activities, bringing London to a standstill. Factory operations were halted as people could not use road transport due to poor visibility. Notably, the smog caused thousands of deaths. According to recent research, about 12,000 people died. Ambulance services were greatly affected, a key reason for the high deaths. The government dismissed claims that the deaths were caused by air pollution, stating that it was a result of flu.

However, in recognition of the true cause of deaths, the government initiated plans to end air pollution in London. Four years later, the Clean Air Act was enacted. The legislation banned the burning of environmentally harmful fuels. It was forbidden to burn coal in domestic fires. Additionally, factories were required to shift their operations to other cities to avoid congestion. As a way of enhancing public cooperation, the government provided homeowners with sustainable energy sources like electricity, natural gas, and oil. Also, the government focused on expanding housing in other regions to reduce the high London population. Although these measures slowed the city’s economic growth, they were critical in improving the climate and enhancing public health. Nonetheless, the issue of air pollution in London has not been addressed adequately.