Is Pokemon Go helping to add toxic gases into the atmosphere, one of which is carbon dioxide CO2, the principal greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change?
Unless you live in a cave (which is not a bad choice) you have heard of the newest fad amount the young, not so young, and even the old. It's Pokemon Go, and it's main mission... Get people up, get them outside, and get them walking. How could that possibly be bad? Well, the good part is that many are indeed coming out of their housed, and doing just what the game makers intended. The not so good part of that (aside from the stories of inattentiveness that we all have read) is when people play the game in a manner in which it was never intended, and by that I mean in a car.
I happen to have a front row seat to a downtown main street, and since it's release there have been Pokemon Go car players every night. I can see them while I am working, driving slowly down the street, looking at their phones. Darting in and out of parking spaces trying to catch these little critters. Absolutely idiotic, you say...who would even consider doing this while driving? Well I am here to tell you that their number is large. I also know that if it is going on in my small town, it is going on everywhere the game is being played. These are not feeble people who want to get out, and unfortunately cannot walk, oh no, these are self consumed people who put their wants, and needs above all, even the safety of others. They want to play the game in a comfortable environment, but what will be the cost to the rest of us?
Gas:
Yes wasting gas for one. I have seen the same cars on many nights for an hour or more. These people have actually made a conscience choice to buy more gas, so they can keep playing the game. Many people don't realize how much gas they spend idling. Idling your car wastes gas and pours pollutants into the environment.
Polution:
FYI: Idling is when a driver leaves the engine running and the vehicle parked. Everyday in the U.S. millions of cars and trucks idle needlessly, sometimes for hours and an idling car can release as much pollution as a moving car
Granted, you may not be able to avoid keeping your engine running when you’re stopped at a traffic signal or stuck in slow-moving traffic. But other times idling is unnecessary. Playing Pokemon Go would be one of those times. For every 10 minutes your engine is off, you’ll prevent one pound of carbon dioxide from being released (carbon dioxide is the primary contributor to global warming).
How is idling harmful to those around you, including those walking around playing Pokemon Go?
Idling increases the amount of vehicle exhaust in our air. Exhaust contains many pollutants that are linked to asthma and other lung diseases, allergies, heart disease,increased risk of infections and cancer and other health problems.
An operating vehicle emits a range of gases from its tailpipe into the atmosphere, one of which is carbon dioxide CO2– the principal greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
Remember, those people outside of your car have no choice but to breathe the air around them. It amazes me that these people playing Pokemon Go in their cars are not thinking these same things, but as I have said...it's all about them, and their comfort.
