The most important single step we can take to meet the challenge of climate change is to improve the fuel efficiency of new cars and light trucks to a combined average of 45 MPG by 2010. Cars, minivans, sport utility vehicles and pickups all spew carbon dioxide, the chief global warming gas, into the atmosphere. For every gallon of gas burned, 26 pounds of carbon dioxide are pumped into the atmosphere. The average car emits about 50 tons of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.
Strengthening the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standard for cars, minivans and other light trucks would:
A higher CAFE standard would:
For the past five years, riders attached to Appropriations bills have barred the Department of Transportation from even considering stronger Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards (CAFE). Write, phone, or fax the President and your Senators and Representatives. Urge them to support higher CAFE standards and protect human health, increase our energy security, and curb the warming of the earth that threatens all of God's creation.
US Senate, Washington, DC 20510
US Capitol Switchboard - 202-224-3121
The President, The White House, Washington DC 20500
202-456-1414 (switchboard) 202-456-1111 (comment line)
The Earth Day 2000 Clean Energy Agenda seeks to mobilize support for a rapid transition to renewable energy sources. A Clean Energy Agenda for the 21st Century includes:
Please consider sending a message to your public officials to support just energy policies that ensure a safe and equitable future for all God's creation. Reproduce the messages on the opposite page onto post cards to send a message to our public officials that the time is now to begin a transition to a just and sustainable energy economy.
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