Going inside can save gas and time at resturants and banks.
Idling and Global Warming
Idling cars and trucks emit millions of tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere every year. The federal government has focused idling regulations on the trucking industry but passenger cars contribute as well.
On average, if idling for 10 minutes a day, a passenger car emits just under 500 pounds of carbon dixoide a year. In addition, that idle time wastes over 25 gallons of gas.
How much do your idling habits affect your finances and the planet? Check out the Greenhouse Gas Gauge.
Gasoline and the Greenhouse
One gallon of water weighs 8.3 pounds while a gallon of gas weighs a little more than 5.5 pounds.
A car using one gallon of gas produces way more than 5 pounds of carbon dioxide, closer to 20 pounds, in fact. How does that math work?
The extra mass is picked up when carbon from the burning gasoline combines with oxygen from the air to create carbon dixoide. For a detailed rundown of the math see this site.