FAITH LEADERS IN ACTION
National Council of Churches calls for emissions cuts

On June 7, 2007, the National Council of Churches released a statement of the faith principles on global warming. In the statement, faith leaders representing Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish organizations call for specific actions needed to reach the goal of stewardship of "God’s creation," including legislation that “should focus on the short term goal of reducing U.S. carbon emissions to reach a 15-20 percent reduction in carbon by 2020 with a long term vision to achieve carbon reductions that are 80 percent below 2000 levels by the year 2050.”

The faith statement highlights climate justice. The leaders state that “global warming’s societal impact already falls, and will continue to fall, most heavily on the people of the world who are least able to mitigate the impacts—poor and vulnerable populations in the United States and in developing countries. As a leading industrialized nation that has disproportionately contributed to greenhouse gas emissions, it is incumbent upon us to rectify this injustice.”

The signatories to the document represent more than 25 million people of faith around the United States, and more signatories will be joining soon. Read the full statement of Faith Principles on Global Warming and the list of signatory organizations.

CLIMATE IRRESPONSIBILITY
Automakers pay to oppose increasing fuel efficiency for cars, light trucks

The 1975 fuel efficiency law (Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE) saves three million barrels of oil every day. It is the most successful oil savings measure Congress has ever adopted...and it was enacted over 30 years ago. It’s time for the government to raise gas mileage requirements for new cars and trucks.

Over the past 20 years, U.S. dependence on foreign oil has nearly doubled, and our nation’s global warming emissions have skyrocketed. The average gas mileage for new vehicles has actually decreased, despite the availability of technologies that can dramatically improve gas mileage.

With gasoline prices at record highs, it is time for America to curb its costly addiction to oil and begin to address global warming pollution. In the United States, 26 percent of the pollution that causes global warming comes from transportation sources, including cars and trucks. The biggest single step we can take to address transportation sources of global warming is to guarantee that cars and light trucks will go further on a gallon of gasoline. By requiring manufacturers to improve fuel economy, the U.S. will strengthen national security, save all of us money at the gas pump, and reduce global warming pollution.

The Alliance for Automobile Manufacturers has launched advertisements that contain false claims and factually inaccurate information. The biggest automakers are attempting to persuade consumers that increased fuel efficiency requirements will cause the industry to build cars that are smaller and less safe. The evidence on record proves exactly the opposite. The National Academy of Sciences says that cars, pick-ups, and SUVs could average 37 miles per gallon using current technologies—without any decrease in safety or performance. Visit the Pew Campaign for Fuel Efficiency for more information and to listen to radio ads responding to the AAM's.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
Challenge the auto industry to come clean

Is the corporation that makes your family's car supporting weak fuel economy standards? Are you a Prius driver proud of your gas mileage but unaware that Toyota is working in D.C. to undermine raising fuel economy standards?

Check out the membership of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and if your car company is on the list, contact it with the message to drop this misleading advertising.

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