School Idle Free Zone Program

The Government of Saskatchewan invites Saskatchewan schools to Go Green and support anti-idling initiatives! Saskatchewan has the highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions rate in Canada. For the sake of our children, this has to change.

One study found that more than a third of parents idle their vehicles while waiting to pick up their children. A vehicle idling for 10 minutes a day uses more than 100 litres of gasoline per year. By turning engines off at schools, parents can be part of the solution and experience a substantial financial savings, too!

Studies by Health Canada have shown a direct link between contaminants in vehicle emissions and significant respiratory health effects. Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, especially those with asthma, because they breathe faster than adults and inhale more air per kilogram of body weight.

Greenhouse gases are released when we use energy derived from fossil fuels. When we use coal to produce electricity, oil and natural gas to heat our homes, and gasoline and diesel to run our vehicles, we are releasing greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. This enhances the natural "greenhouse effect", which is causing the earth's average temperature to increase, resulting in a number of concerns including droughts, an increase in serious storms and changes to plant and animal habitat. For more information on climate change, resources and opportunities visit: www.climatechangesask.ca .

Your school is invited to participate in reducing vehicle idling by raising the awareness of emissions that are harmful to health and by posting an "Idle Free Zone" sign outside your school!

To apply for your free anti-idling sign please complete and return the below application form.