Don't leave your car running when you aren't driving.
A running car that isn't moving is getting zero miles per gallon of gas. If you are stopped somewhere longer than a stop sign or stop light, turn off your engine.
Not only is it not fuel efficient, there are several harmful pollutants in the exhaust. When trapped in an area that is not ventilated, these pollutants can cause death. Think about this the next time you are stopped somewhere with your windows down. Please share this with anyone who idles their vehicle while waiting for kids to get out of school -all of those parents with vehicles emitting toxic fumes into the air that their children breathe. Children are more vulnerable to air pollution, because they breathe faster than adults, and inhale more air per pound of their body weight. Might I suggest walking your kids to school and back. It's better for the enviroment and healthier for you.
Next time you go to pick someone up from the airport or from school or you're in line at the drive-through, turn off your engine. It's actually more fuel efficient to start your car back up again than to idle the engine for more than 30 seconds.
here's what I'm going to do:
I'm going to turn off my car if I'm stopped - for me it would mean when I'm dropping someone off and I'm still having a conversation.
I'm going to avoid drive-throughs as much as possible.
and
I am going to start walking to church on Sunday.
this is good to know because i had heard that it actually takes more gas to start it up again, so i tend to let it idle while waiting. can't wait to make this small change!
Nice new blog. We just watched, "eleventh hour", it's embarrassing how much we waste and consume. We definately need to try harder too. My goal this month is to buy canvas shopping bags.
oh - shopping bags - good one. I will make my next post about that. I did successfully walk to church and back today and it was a great experience. I'm sold.
Love the new blog. Now, I want to know if you've been walking to church? I've been making the kids walk a lot more. We park in a central location, then hit Target, Pet Smart and Top Foods. They aren't too excited about it, but yesterday Margot actually told Tate, when he complained, "we're helping to stop global warming. We're saving the earth and helping our bodies." I guess some things do get through!