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Here is a briefing on DADA for those who are requesting it ...
DADA ( Dads Against Dirty Air)
website: www.DADACanada.com
contact:
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Tel: 905.338.3638
DADA is a grassroots, volunteer-based organization, started by parents concerned for the environment and the effects of idling on children and their families. We are empowered citizens and school-based groups who want to join forces and take action to prevent unnecessary air pollution from School buses, Government and City fleets and transit, corporate fleets and fellow parents. We support our kids, their schools and local environmental groups to reach out to others to ask them to MAKE A PLEDGE NOT TO IDLE in their community.
DADA ( Dads Against Dirty Air) is an innovative project that utilizes social marketing efforts and personal outreach into local communities and schools in order to reduce unnecessary pollution from idling cars, fleets, transit and school buses.
If someone wants to stop idling at their school or in their community, they can join efforts with like-minded parents and students whoDADA is a citizen-led environmental group that empowers parents and citizens to reach out to others to ask people to commit or pledge not to idle near children or in the community. Citizens who are concerned about and want to help stop unnecessary idling in their community can join DADA for free and access free online training and materials needed to implement their own school-based or community-based idling program.
The main focus of DADA is:
- to ask school bus drivers to pledge not to idle ( get a free coffee card and thank you card from the kids)
- create a 'idle-free campaign in a box' for schools and school boards to purchase (at cost) containing everything needed to run an effective school idling campaign.
- outreach to the public to have kids become 'Junior Idling Patrol Officers' and ask their parents and neighbours to pledge not to idle.
- to give local environmental groups the script and process needed to get their municipalities to create a real and enforceable Idling By-law in their community.
- to create a challenge to the City fleets and transit drivers to please shut down their engines when parked in order to 'walk the talk' and be good environmental stewards.
- to empower and provide school eco-clubs and youth groups with resources and materials needed to start an anti-idling campaign
- to create a website with resources and materials and succesteach individuals who
The DADACanada.com website will downloadable brochures and images that will allow an individual or group to print off materials and read sample scripts and success stories from others who share similar concerns and are doingand signsmaterials, nd training materials
DADA is running a pilot program in Ontario in Halton and Waterloo region providing all materials FREE to local schools thanks to funding from Ontario Trillium Foundation and Environment Canada funding. Based on other funding DADA will be able to expand across Canada with their network of DADA volunteers listed in their DADA-BASE.
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Advancement of education
purpose that is beneficial to the community as a whole.
TO educate and increase the public's awareness of air pollution caused by vehicles, by providing schools and communities with support materials and outreach programs.
To provide education and support services
To develop or promote environmental awareness in Canada through outreach programs and education and instructing the public on the prevention of local air pollution and by researching and
To improve air quality in communities and around children at schools by developing and promoting environmental awareness and outreach materials and programs.
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Scrap it program idea ...from BC |
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Here is a good idea from BC ...
<SNIP>
Scrap-It: Turn in an Older Car & Get 24 Months of Transit Passes or $1000 Car-Sharing Credit (BC)
The BC Scrap-It program, available to residents of British Columbia, is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by getting older vehicles off the road. What's in it for you? A whole lot, as it turns out!
Incentives of up to $1250 are available to BC residents who turn in an older (1995 or previous) car and either purchase a newer, fuel-efficient vehicle or simply do not replace the car at all.
Some of the incentives include:
• A 12 Month, Three-Zone Translink MultiPass (Lower Mainland)
• 24 Months of Adult BC Transit Monthly Passes (Victoria)
• For the purchase of a bicycle, a $100 discount at point of sale plus $600 from Scrap-It
• A $1000 Car-Sharing Credit with Zipcar, the Cooperative Auto Network or the Victoria Car Share Co-Op
• For the purchase of a new car, a $250 discount at point of sale plus either $500 or $1000 (depending on the vehicle purchased)
The program is open by application only and vehicles must be insured; produced in 1995 or before; registered in BC and in driving condition. Any break in insurance coverage in the previous 12 months will disqualify the vehicle. So there are a few hoops to jump through but the rewards are definitely worth it! |
Do you have some ideas about the message one can use for banners and signs?
Here are some ...feel free to use them.
WHEN IN PARK, TURN OFF THE SPARK!
Turn off all engines when parked.
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DONT BE A CANADIAN IDLE!
Be Idle-free!
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Take care of our air!
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Reminder:
This is a NO IDLING ZONE.
Zero idling while parked.
Thanks!
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Show common courtesy to others.
Please turn off engines when parked.
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Breathing car fumes is EXHAUSTING. <pic of exhaust pipe & person>
Please turn OFF engines when parked.
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Buy and drive your next vehicle intelligently.
Consider the environment, air quality and your kids future in mind.
Don't buy big, gas-guzzling polluters when small, fuel effient model will do. Better yet, walk, bike, carpool or take cleaner transit
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with the environment and Save money, our air, our health, our planet, our resources.
Buy and drive intelligently. Don't idle.
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NO IDLING. PASSENGERS BREATHING. <for posting at school bus drop off zone and transit terminals>
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IDLE-FREE zone. Clean air for healthy kids. <for schools>
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We are IDLE-FREE
...for clean air and our kids! <for businesses to hang banner at their place of business>
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No Idling engines please.
Staff Breathing. <metal sign>
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No Idling engines please.
Customers Breathing. <metal sign for businesses>
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If we get transit buses to stop idling in your face
...will you use transit instead of driving?
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Only Kids can get parents to go green |
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Only Kids can get parents to go green
If you knew what you were doing was hurting the kids at your dinner table, would you change your ways?
I have come to the conclusion that the older generation need to be educated about the environment and how to fix the mess we have made for our children. Being green is about taking action and a little step. Not being green is being lazy for the most part - not to separate the garbage; turn off the engine when parked; to use pesticides as the lazy way to weed the lawn; etc.
Who will adults listen to though? It is the younger generation that will pursuade the older generation to do what is right for the environment and for their future. Adults have learned to 'consume more' and not to think about waste. And I have seen it is going to be tough to change their habits but it needs to be done.
It makes me sad when I see people idling their cars for 10-20 minutes when a cars engine is used to move the car not to make it sit still! I see some houses putting out 4 or 5 or even 6 bags of garbage a week! I see people fertilizing their lawns to kill off 3 weeds that could be easily plucked out. Why? Because that is the lifesytle they are used to and they dont know any better.
So to all the kids out there, it is your job to educate your parents! That's right, the tables are turned now. You need to open their eyes and make them see they can do what is right.
Here is their first lessons to start the new year:
a) IDLING THE CAR is polluting and emitting poisons that people around them are inhaling. They have the power to stop it, it takes work, but they have to turn the key..OFF! Fact: Idling cars more than 20 seconds is unnecessary with todays cars and turning the car on uses the same amount of gas as idling 10 seconds.
b) Teach the family that there are ways to recyle more and cut garbage in half in each house ( recycle more...1 bag garbage per week is possible for most households!); Picture that: 1 bag/week=52 bags/year and 4 bags = over 200 bags/year, enough bags piled up to cover your entire lawn!
c) Turn off the lights when not in use & install flourescent bulbs throughout the house; Fact: the easiest thing we can all do NOW is to conserve energy. It is easier than buying alternative / clean energy and we can all do it.
d) Are you buying a new car in the future? Then resolve right now that you will drive your car as is BUT commit that when it is time to buy a new one, you promise to your kids that you will buy a hybrid or other eco-friendly car that is friendlier to the neighbours lungs and the environment. Don't buy a gas guzzling CO2 machine!
A message to parents...If you love your kids...LISTEN TO THEM! I know you wouldn't do anything to harm them...so conserve energy, reduce waste and don't pollute. Your kids will be proud of you, now and in the future, that you were part of the solution.
Now pass this on to 1 million other people and lets get the schools to put this plan into action and then we will see real results.
Steve
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There are many LITTLE reasons why we need to stop unnecessary pollution.
