The Green Fairy Blogs

So why was I so mad at my neighbor for idling his car for ten minutes?

First, because he just wasted lots of gas. For ten minutes, his car was getting ZERO miles per gallon. Second, because a running car emits particulates into the air, and those nasties will eventually give me lung cancer. Third, and most important, because it represents somebody who just wasn’t thinking about his actions, who decided to trade responsibility for short-term personal comfort.

Of course, my darlings, I know you would never let your car sit idle for ten minutes. But on days like today, when it’s hot and you’re busy, I bet you’re tempted. Tempted to drive through the ATM line at the bank instead of going in. Tempted to buy your coffee from the drive-through. Tempted to listen to the radio and blast the A/C while you wait for your kids outside the school.

It’s not all your fault. Some know-it-all dude probably told you once that you use more gas turning on the car than you do by idling it. Baloney. Newer cars are so efficient at ignition, you can turn the car off if you’ll be stopped for 30 seconds or more. Heck, make it a minute, and that’s still less time than you’ll wait for your chicken nuggets at the drive-through.

I know, I know, it’s hot, and cars heat up quickly, but remember: we’re not going to become the Greatest Generation like our parents and grandparents if we don’t accept a little inconvenience every now and then. Think of it this way: would you ever just pour gas out of the pump and onto the pavement? Let your kids get in a gasoline fight? No! That stuff’s expensive! But that’s exactly what you’re doing when you park it and leave the motor running.

Ladies, kill your motors! Love, the Green Fairy

Welcome back from the weekend!  The Green Fairy needs to vent. Here’s what happened: On Saturday afternoon, The Green Fairy and her hubby lounged on their porch in the shade, sipping lemonade and generally avoiding the heat.

Across the street, a neighbor got into his truck, turned on the ignition, then got out and went back in the house.

Then he sat on the porch and enjoyed a cigarette.

Then he went back into the house.

The car was still running.

After about 10 minutes, The Green Fairy, who is outspoken but who endeavors to be polite, knocked on her neighbor’s door to make sure he knew his truck was still running.

“Yeah, I’m just running the air conditioning to make sure I don’t fry when I get in it,” he replied.

The Green Fairy said nothing, but seethed inwardly and had to go inside until her neighbor finally got in his (ice-cold, by now) vehicle and drove away.

Tomorrow, we’ll enumerate the reasons why the Green Fairy’s neighbor is helping kill the planet, and we’ll talk about why idling your car is a lose-lose situation.

Thanks for letting me vent! Love, The Green Fairy