A MESSAGE ABOUT IDLING
From the Fort Saskatchewan Environmental Awareness Committee
When your engine runs for no reason, it needlessly harms the environment. If every driver simply reduced vehicle idling, it would make a huge impact on greenhouse gas emissions, pollution and smog.
When to reduce idling:
- Warming up (be sensible about how long the vehicle needs to run in colder weather)
- Sitting in a drive through (if the line is stuck, shut the vehicle off)
- Picking up kids at school (your kids will not freeze, and you won’t either if you shut the vehicle off for part of your wait)
- Running in to the store (just dashing in so why not leave it running? – think again and shut the vehicle off)
To combat global issues like climate change and urban pollution we need to think and act wisely. Every Canadian motorist can make a difference by avoiding unnecessary idling for just five minutes a day, 365 days a year. The cumulative effect of this simple act would remove more than 1.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, along with other toxic substances from our atmosphere. Think about it.
Remember: When your engine runs for no reason, it needlessly harms the environment.
Lots of great tips on how to reduce our environmental impact from idling are available on the Government of Canada’s website: