Three women standing outdoors at a market, all wearing face masks. The woman on the left has purple braided hair, a black hat, and a black coat. The woman in the middle has long dark hair, a pink patterned mask, and a green coat. The woman on the right has long dark hair, a green and pink mask, and a black puffer jacket. They are standing next to a sign that indicates a pollution zone and promotes clean air for all. Market stalls are visible in the background.

We are Choked Up

Breathing clean air shouldn't depend on where you live.

But Right now it does…

That's why Choked Up exists.

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.

The Clean Air Law isn't protecting us. That's why we're taking a stand for it.

About Us ▸

Three women participating in a protest, holding a sign that reads "Pollution Zone" and "Breathing kills," outdoors on a city street.

Why Clean air can’t wait

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.

That isn't an accident.

It's the result of poor planning decisions, toxic transport systems, and discriminatory policies that put the dirtiest roads and industrial sites next to the most marginalised neighbourhoods. Toxic air is invisible, but its impacts are clear. It cuts lives short, damages children's lungs, and deepens inequalities that already shape daily life.

No one should have to risk their health just by breathing the air around them.

Why is toxic air so bad?

Air pollution consists of tiny, harmful particles and gases released mainly by vehicles, construction, burning fuels, and industry.

Because these pollutants are often invisible, people are forced to breathe toxic air without realising the danger they're exposed to. The effects of breathing polluted air accumulate over time. They can cause severe damage, especially for children, the elderly, and people with existing health conditions.

Intersectional Injustice!

Those who have contributed the least to the climate and pollution crisis bear the heaviest burden and are often the most ignored. This has to change. Black, Brown and working-class communities in the UK are far more likely to:

Live near major roads, motorways and industrial sites

Experience pre-existing health inequalities

Attend schools in high-pollution "hotspots"

Have limited access to green spaces and clean environments

This injustice is intersectional. Race, class, age, and postcode lotteries combine to determine who is most exposed and who is most protected.That isn't just ‘bad luck’. It is discrimination on a mass scale.

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.

Three young women standing on a city sidewalk next to a pollution zone sign that warns 'Breathing kills,' with a red double-decker bus and city buildings in the background.

Three young women standing in front of a pink climate-themed bus at an outdoor event, with a sign reading 'Can you hear us yet?' on the bus.

What we’re doing?

Direct Action

We take our campaigning to the streets. From the Mayor for Clean Air campaign, to putting hacked road signs across London's most polluted and ethnically diverse neighbourhoods. Our campaign and media work aims to raise awareness, shift narratives, and force clean air onto the public agenda.

Community organising

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.

Two people taking a selfie at a conference or festival, with signs and posters in the background promoting youth-led climate movement events.

A young woman with braided hair and a white shirt sitting on a chair, holding a drink, and smiling at the camera. She is outdoors with green plants around her, next to a poster for the YouTube Originals series "Seat at the Table" featuring a man in a brown jacket.

Policy influence

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.