Earth Day 2000: Good Stewards of God's Gift of Energy Advocate For Clean Cars! 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: reduce air pollution decrease our reliance on imported fuels decrease the need to open sensitive wilderness areas to oil and gas exploration reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the dangers of climate change A higher CAFE standard would: reduce our fuel consumption lower our gasoline bills 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 House of Representatives, Washington DC 20515 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) Clean Energy Now! 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: Clean Power: By 2020, produce at least one-third of the nation's energy from non-hydro renewable sources (sun/wind) and double the efficiency of energy use. Clean Air: Clean up our power plants by setting tighter limits on all power plant pollutants (including old coal-fired power plants). Clean Cars: Make SUVs, pickups and minivans as clean as cars. Raise CAFE to 45 MPG by 2010 and 65 MPG by 2020. Increase the market share for clean vehicles powered by hybrid motors and fuel cells by offering incentives. Clean Investments: Quadruple federal investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency within five years. Stop the taxpayer subsidy of the coals, oil and nuclear industries. Provide resources for a just transition for affected workers and communities. 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. Return to Earth Day 2000 Index Return to Earth Day Sunday Index