Wind: 5 mph
To The Editor:
With all of the road construction under way, the following information couldn’t be more timely. This is not personal opinion but reliable science and fact.
Having followed the science of climate change since the mid-1960s when I believe I read it in Scientific American, this does not surprise me. Seeing lines and lines of traffic stopped for construction, with engines running for many minutes, this is more than a little disturbing, especially since the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere hasn’t been this high, 400 parts per million, since three million years ago. Whether all reading this agree or not, I hope it’ll be something to think about, and for more information check in with idlefreevt.org.
When waiting in line, consider what idling does and how it affects us:
* Our health: Our health is affected by the toxic chemicals in exhaust emissions.
* Fuel wasted: Idling for 10 to 30 seconds uses more fuel than turning off and restarting engines.
* Engine wear: Owners’ manuals are increasingly encouraging drivers to limit idling to avoid shortened engine life and more engine maintenance.
* Climate change: Emissions from vehicles, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), contribute to climate change.
* Wasted energy: According to the Department of Energy, researchers have estimated that idling by light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles wastes about 6,000,000,000 (yes, billion!) gallons of fuel a year. In fact, I’ve read that heavy-duty truck owners are being encouraged to shut off engines rather than idling, since several shut-offs are better for the engine than several “idles.”
Hopefully, this is something to think about and do for many of us, as we all have some individual responsibility for the condition of our planet – as do large fuel corporations and others.
Judy Larson DiMario