💡 My recent work with @mvaldes1989.bsky.social & @conteristo.bsky.social, published today (what better timing than International Education Day?), explores the relationship between low-emission zones (LEZs) and academic performance. Our findings?
Students exposed to cleaner air earlier and for longer periods show even greater benefits. These effect sizes align with prior research, including studies on chess players where bad air quality hindered performance—a fitting analogy!
🚸 What can governments do? While countries like Spain have contingency plans for extreme temperatures, policies to shield students from poor air quality are lagging.
Four months ago, the TSJM court overturned Madrid’s LEZ, a step backwards given the proven benefits of these policies not just for air quality but for learning outcomes. Cities like London and Paris are already tightening restrictions—why not follow their lead?
On this International Education Day, let’s remember that building a better education system also means tackling the environmental challenges shaping students’ learning conditions.
Comments
This effect, though modest, is meaningful—especially for students striving to access competitive schools or degrees.