Zero Waste Australia

It's not the biggest contributor to global warming. But unlike the length of our commutes or the fuel efficiency of our SUVs, it's something we can change, right now.

We can simply stop idling: Turn off the engine while waiting to pick up the kids from school. Park and enter McDonald's to order lunch.

Idling wastes about 4 percent of a car's gasoline, experts say. So eliminating idling would cut a car's greenhouse gas emissions - carbon dioxide and other byproducts scientists believe cause climate change - by the same amount.

"Any amounts you can cut are important," said Michael Short, program director of the Cleveland-based Clean Air Conservancy. "That's just a complete waste. It's energy generation you're not even using."

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