At Modern Kids Design, we’re always looking for small ways to help the planet. Often, little changes can make a big difference. Of course, this is particularly true when many people make small changes. We believe that collective action can be powerful and have an impact.  So, in that spirit, we try to share ideas and tips when we can. Recently, we heard from one of our nonprofits with a great way to reduce emissions and today we’d like to tell you a little bit about it.

Start a No Idle Zone at Your School

Grades of Green is changing the course of the future by making environmental protection second-nature in young minds. Their No Idle Zones Activity is all about protecting the air our children breathe. By simply turning off our vehicles while in the pickup line at school, we can cut back on emissions. What a simple way to help the planet!

Vehicle idling has been linked to poor air quality and numerous health problems, including chronic respiratory like asthma and cardiovascular illnesses. Asthma is the third leading cause of hospitalization among children under 15. By improving air quality, we can help reduce this number. Plus, turning your vehicle off instead of idling can save you 1-2 tanks of gasoline a year.

Antonio, a Grades of Green student inspired the passage of ACR 160 in California, which encourages students across the state to create No Idle Zones. But it doesn’t need to stop at the state border. Imagine No Idle Zones across the country!

Most parents probably don’t give a second thought to leaving their car running as they wait for their kids. After all, they’re thinking about homework, dinner plans, and how their kid’s day went. Sometimes we need a reminder that a small action like turning off our cars can help protect the planet for our children’s future.

To learn more, visit Grades of Green’s No Idle Zones Activity and consider registering your school with Grades of Green to unlock their step by step instructions and resources for over 40 hands-on Grades of Green Activities. And, of course, if this resonates with you, please help spread the word.  Okay, that’s it for now. As always, we enjoy hearing from you, so feel free to reach out about this topic or tips or suggestions for future posts at healthyliving@modernkidsdesign.com. Thanks for reading and for sharing! 🙂