School Opens On Top of the Highest Building in Southeast Asia to Protect Children from Fine Dust

Bảo Ngọc

Editor | Advertising Vietnam

12 Thg 11 2020

School Opens On Top of the Highest Building in Southeast Asia to Protect Children from Fine Dust

Recent studies show that pollution and PM2.5 destroys braincells, directly impacting the learning capacity of children. The same study shows that the higher up you go the lower the levels of PM2.5 become, which is why GreenID, in collaboration with Happiness Saigon, created “The High School” an extreme solution to get across that if nothing is done the only place where children will safely be able to learn is hundreds of meters above the ground.

While Vietnam is on its way to tackle air pollution, a lot can be done to protect its citizens against fine dust. An important part of this is the education around individual protection such as pollution masks and the installation of Air Quality Meters at important habitats such as schools and offices; something that GreenID and other stakeholders are working to change.

The importance of protection against fine dust is further emphasized by the COVID-19 pandemic, following the release of a Harvard study earlier this year linking air pollution to higher COVID-19 death rates. Researchers found that people with long-term exposure to high levels of fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) are 8% more likely to die from COVID-19 than those who live in a region that has just one unit less of pollution.

Of even greater worry is the effect of fine dust on children who are at increased risk due to long-term exposure during their formative years. Such concerns include:

Their brains are still developing, and neurotoxic compounds in air pollution can affect children’s cognitive development
Children’s lungs are still developing, and air pollution can interfere with this biological process
They have less ability to metabolize, detoxify, and expel the toxicants contained in air pollution
The average school aged child inhales at least twice as much oxygen (per kilogram of weight) compared to adults at rest due to their growth demands. Their oxygen intake increases even more when they are in an active state
Children get sick more often and take longer to fight and recover from illnesses
Babies born to women who were exposed to air pollution during their pregnancy are more likely to be born premature and have a low birthweight

To address these concerns “The High School” was brought to life to literally elevate children up above problems related to air pollution by being located 461 meters above the ground on top of the tallest building in Southeast Asia, and the 15th tallest building in the world, Landmark 81. Because air pollution generally declines with altitude.

On July 16th a class of 18 children went up for their first day at “The High School”. While they took their place in the high-altitude classroom, they attended a special lesson to learn more about air and the consequences of fine dust.

Today it is possible to symbolically enroll your children in “The High School” at www.thehighschool.vn. By enrolling parents automatically register their child’s current school for the installation of an Air Quality Meter. This will make it possible for parents and teachers to closely monitor the PM2.5 levels and take timely actions to protect their children by either playing inside or leaving children at home. The campaign also includes 6 steps that we can collectively take to lower the PM2.5 levels.

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About GreenID

Green Innovation and Development Centre (GreenID) is a Vietnamese non-profit organization (NPO) recognized by Decision 840/QD-LHH dated 27th December 2011. GreenID works to promote sustainable development in Vietnam and the larger Mekong region and is now on its way to become a leading and credible civil society actor promoting sustainable energy sector development. GreenID recognizes that to promote sustainability it must address constraints related to governance, organisational structures and social and technology integration. GreenID has project-specific experience coupled with cutting edge global knowledge and theory to help integrate sustainable solutions into policy and local communities.

Inquiries: [email protected]

Website: http://greenidvietnam.org.vn/

Fanpage | Youtube |Twitter: GreenID Vietnam

About Happiness Saigon

Happiness Saigon, is an award-winning creative connectivity agency with offices in Saigon, Vietnam, and Brussels, Belgium. The agency is widely respected for helping build brands that trigger emotions that trigger business. The agency believes in the power of creativity, the power of humanity, and in happiness that fuels both. The multicultural and multitalented team at Happiness has won numerous awards, including a Cannes Lions Grand Prix, and have worked on some of Vietnam’s most awarded creative ideas including UNICEF #NoFilter. Some of Happiness’ work is also featured in the V&A Museum London.