BellingenNSW

Children cut air pollution near their schools – by taking aim at their parents’ idling cars

"Australian drivers leave their cars idling up to 20% of their total travel time, producing as much as 8% of a trip’s emissions."

"Around schools, idling cars create pollution hotspots exposing children to harmful pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter. At the start and end of every school day, many Australian children head to the carpark or street to get picked up. While they’re waiting, they will be breathing in a mix of toxic gases and particle pollution."

"But car idling is one of the easiest behaviours to change. Internationally, anti-idling campaigns have led to improved air quality. In Australia, the problem of idling has largely been overlooked."
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https://theconversation.com/these-students-cut-air-pollution-near-their-schools-by-taking-aim-at-their-parents-idling-cars-262435
#FossilFuels #pollution #cars #parenting #idling #children #careless #motorists #Bellingen #GHG #climate

These students cut air pollution near their schools – by taking aim at their parents’ idling cars

When parents leave their cars idling outside schools, pollution levels spike. The solution could be as simple as teaching children how to ask for change.

The Conversation
Aug 5 at 8:07amWeb
Show thread:🍪:SemeleAug 5
@Bellingen If I walk past a local primary school around kicking-out time, I see the surrounding streets lined with cars with idling engines, so it's quite an ingrained habit with car drivers. In our recent (UK) heatwaves, maybe the drivers don't want to feel the heat? Why else?