What is a solution to this environmental problem?

In the winter people keep there cars on so it can warm up this creates air pollution and also in traffic you car is on what's an idea to solve these problems ??? And it has to be something a 14 year old is able to do.THANKS !!!!!!



BEST ANWSER will be chosen within ONE DAYWhat is a solution to this environmental problem?I have a solution we've put to use out of necessity more so than anything else. My car is paid for, runs well, has a lot of miles on it, has a functioning heater, but a broken heater fan. This means that I can get enough heat to keep the windows defrosted and defogged in our area but, I can't get it circulated well enough to actually defrost/deice the windows; staying warm while driving is a different issue particularly solved by extra clothing and hugging the dashboard vents.



So, what we've done is place a small electrical heater on the back dash with a sensor that turns off if it falls over. In the morning, I poke my nose out the door to determine just how cold it is. If it's cold enough, I trot out and plug the heater in using a cord with its own GFC that is plugged into an exterior outlet on a GFC. I shut the door on the thinner, heater cord to keep the heat contained. - Now I look forward to the days that I can justify plugging in because the car is truly, toasty warm when I get in.



In some areas, they use an electrical heater for the passenger compartment and some type of heating device for the engine compartment because the temperature is so cold it can actually cause damage to the vehicle. People warm up their vehicles to get their engines and passenger compartments warm before operation; and not just for personal comfort. If everyone had a heated garage, it wouldn't be a problem. Of course, heating a garage 7/24 probably carries both a higher environmental and economic cost than running the engine; running the engine to warm up the vehicle is a step better than keeping a heated garage. One step better than running the engine could be to have some sort of on-board or plug-in option for heating the passenger and/or engine compartment. Doing so would still have both an economic and environmental cost but, one would think a little lower than running the engine.



Meanwhile, a 14 year old might be able to consider passenger compartment heating alternatives then suggest them to their driving parents. Particularly as gas prices continue to rise.



The reason why folks burn gas idling in traffic is that there is too much traffic on the road for everyone to flow along or through the lights. One way around this is to try to schedule trips around traffic or during off-peak times. Oddly enough, this is something that a 14 year old can affect by suggesting different times for elective trips; in our area, often even 15 minutes can make a big difference in how long one will be hitting peak traffic. A 14 year old can suggest parking further out in a parking lot so as to not sit as much while waiting to get out or, even walking back and forth the couple of blocks to the next destination. They can also consider what destinations they can walk or bike to rather than getting a ride from the drivers in the family.



Most importantly, the typical 14 year old becomes a driver themselves in 2 to 4 years. Now, while they are 14, they can think about ways to reduce their engine time, increase their fuel mileage, condense their trips, avoid traffic, use alternative forms of transportation, and reduce their engine idling time (This does not mean full pedal to the metal followed by strong braking; remember tires are made from oil products too),