The Stop Needless Idling Campaign is a combination of education, pledges, and citizen science, hosted by LICA in collaboration with Alberta Airsheds Council. Additionally, LICA facilitates an informal social media campaign promoting keeping the air healthy, saving fuel and money and driving smarter, in addition to visiting schools to educate students about air quality and importance of air health. Students, with the assistance of their teachers and LICA staff, learn how to use an Aircast Airbeam monitor to measure the amount of PM2.5 (very fine particulate matter) around vehicles in their school zone. Students take a baseline measurement while there are no vehicles idling, then take measurements while there are passenger vehicles and school busses running nearby. Students use the information they collect to inform their school, parents, and community about their findings, and make educational posters to share what they learned. In addition to the sharing of information, students collect pledges from community members, asking them to commit to idling for 60 seconds or less.
Get Involved
Taking Action to Improve Air Quality
Learn more about keeping the air healthy, saving fuel and money, and driving smarter with these free downloadable resources.
Campaign Guide for Schools
Infographic
Fact Sheet
JOIN OTHERS ACROSS ALBERTA AND PLEDGE TO STOP NEEDLESS IDLING
I pledge to idle my vehicle for no more than 60 seconds when parked.
The Small Things Matter
Why do we Measure PM2.5?
PM2.5 is fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter. While some larger particles are expelled through coughing or sneezing, particles this small can pass through deep into our lungs, and even into our bloodstream. This can affect our health negatively, including serious problems like lung and heart disease. PM2.5 is measured as part of our Air Quality Health Index. While the highest concentrations of PM2.5 emitted in Alberta come from wildfire smoke, human activities, such as idling our vehicles, can also emit these particles into our air. This makes PM2.5 an important, yet easy measurement for students to test for.
To learn more about fine particulate matter in Alberta, visit the Government of Alberta’s website
If your class is interested in participating in the Stop Needless Idling Campaign, please contact LICA at Outreach@lica.ca or 780-812-2182.
For more idle free tools and resources for your schools, businesses, and communities, visit the Alberta Airsheds Council website