| Edmonton's drive-thrus contribute 750 tons of | | | | this idea as humans can only move so fast. |
| Green House Gases into the atmosphere in one | | | | Additionally, if all the coffee shops, 7-Eleven |
| month alone. In one year that's 9000 tons from | | | | stores, Taco Bell's, along with Wendy's, Burger |
| one city! | | | | King and McDonalds build or renovate new |
| Is it possible that the time has come for us to | | | | drive-thru windows, this sincere attempt only |
| re-evaluate the importance of what we're actually | | | | masks the lack of concern here and contradicts |
| breathing in here? Should we re-consider the | | | | this idea of reducing idle time. Reason being, |
| consequences of this unnecessary convenience | | | | allowing for new drive-thrus year after year will |
| just to eliminate that simple walk? | | | | only increase idle vehicles not decrease. |
| This alarming discovery was given immediate | | | | These drive-thru window services contribute to |
| attention by CTV news and revealing these | | | | smog, emissions, noise pollution, air pollution, |
| startling estimated statistics May 30 2007 the | | | | pollution within the store itself as employees at |
| source came from the University of Calgary. | | | | the window are constantly breathing in exhaust |
| Their research was based on daily estimates in | | | | fumes. They add to our obesity problem creating |
| the contribution of Green House Gases into the | | | | a lazy society. They congest the parking lots |
| atmosphere. Edmonton's drive-thrus as of this | | | | creating line ups adding to even more idling |
| date are contributing an estimated 25 tons per | | | | vehicles. |
| day. | | | | Ground Level Ozone |
| Over a year, an estimated total would be 9000 | | | | Scientists have estimated that 50,000 to 100,000 |
| tons just from this city alone. Now let's take this | | | | deaths per year are associated with air pollution, a |
| a little further shall we. Using a total of 115 cities | | | | disturbing reality. Regarding the ozone layer, 90% |
| with same population, same amount of | | | | of ozone is good ozone however the remaining |
| drive-thru's the outstanding shocker of the day | | | | 10% is regarded as bad ozone and occurs at |
| would reveal a total of I MILLION TONS of Green | | | | ground level as a pollutant. |
| House Gases to the atmosphere in one year | | | | Vehicle exhaust, solvents, industrial emissions and |
| alone. | | | | gasoline vapours are some of the major sources |
| We can't even begin to comprehend what that | | | | of bad ozone. Inhaling ozone at ground level |
| figure would be world-wide over a period of only | | | | enhances the lungs vulnerability to infections and |
| five years. And the irony of this is the fact that | | | | increases sensitivity to other pollutants. And |
| few seem to take note or consider the relevance | | | | repeated exposure can cause permanent damage |
| to what we are doing to ourselves in way of | | | | to the respiratory system aggravating heart and |
| pollution. | | | | lung diseases. It damages plant life interfering with |
| Drive-thru mania is spreading like a bad disease | | | | their food production hindering their resistance to |
| across the US and Canada. And there are two | | | | insects, disease and polluted air. |
| main reasons for their increasing popularity, | | | | And all this is for what, convenience sake, money, |
| convenience and money. Chains are in frantic | | | | success? |
| competition to offer the best service, while | | | | Is the human species evolving or are we |
| eliminating the cost of the larger restaurant. | | | | becoming selfish to our never ending needs, our |
| Offering the smaller restaurants with the | | | | services rendered mind set? Or is it because we |
| drive-thru window, customers and owners alike | | | | cannot turn back the clock and change the |
| are happy. | | | | structured society we all love so much? |
| Some Startling Future Plans | | | | Maybe we have misled ourselves in regards to |
| CEO Jim Keyes would like to see half of all the | | | | the meaning of purpose. Materialistically speaking, |
| new 7-Eleven stores to be built with drive-thru's. | | | | is it our destiny or purpose to acquire as much as |
| Dunkin Donuts decides 65% of all new | | | | possible? Is our evolutionary success based on |
| restaurants will be built with drive-thru's. McDonalds | | | | our technologically convenient lifestyle? Or are we |
| has 13,000 restaurants across the US however, | | | | here to serve the almighty dollar? |
| 90% of them have drive-thru's. The number of | | | | Things can become interesting when viewed from |
| drive-thru's has doubled in the last five years. | | | | a different perspective and we should seriously |
| Good to Go fast food location in Houston Texas | | | | re-consider the consequences that may or will |
| has fourteen drive-thru lanes to accommodate | | | | arise from our human behavioural habits. That |
| their customers. | | | | walk from the car is not all that far because |
| With all this money making excitement building to | | | | regardless of how much money is to be made it |
| new heights, owners are battling to reduce idle | | | | is just never enough anyway. |
| times in the drive-thru. Sounds like a sincere | | | | Spread the word and help control the deadly |
| attempt however, you can only do so much with | | | | consequences of drive-thru convenience!! |