And that’s exactly why this week the UK – along with neighbouring countries – has been referred to Europe’s highest court for failing to tackle illegal levels of air pollution. The five nations – the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Hungary and Romania – had been given a final warning by the European commission back in January.

Now, the European court of justice (ECJ) has the power to impose fine of multimillion euros if we don’t act quickly. Previously, the government’s pollution plan in 2017 was rebuked as “inexcusable” by medical professionals and condemned as “woefully inadequate” by city leaders.

“We have waited a long time and we cannot possibly wait any longer,” said Karmenu Vella, European commissioner for environment, on Thursday 17 May, according to The Guardian. “We have said that this commission is one that protects. Our decision follows through on that claim. It is my conviction that today’s decision will lead to improvements for citizens on a much quicker timescale.”

As a result, we have until the end of this year to reduce pollution levels.

But, the question we should all be asking is: why has nothing been done?

In comparison, our European neighbours, the Czech Republic, Spain and Slovakia, have all promptly put new measures in place since being given a final warning at the start of 2018.

What is obvious is that we can quickly learn from each other.

Across the world, countries are making change happen – and quickly. Over 200 countries are currently negotiating resolutions on pollution at the United Nations. And multiple cities, from one country to another continent, are being encouraged to be part of the UN Environment’s BreatheLife campaign, which aims to meet strict air pollution targets by 2030.

And it’s working. In Freiburg in Germany, an effort to coordinate transport and land use has resulted in an increase of journeys made by bike by a third and doubled public transport use.

Why are we not tackling the UK’s illegal air pollution problem?