Driven By Values - Clean Car Campaign

BACKGROUND

Introduction

America burns 8 million barrels of oil every day just to fuel our cars, SUVs, and trucks. Where this oil comes from and where it goes are both major problems. Much of our oil comes from the Middle East – even from such nations as Iraq – and our dependence on this oil helps to fuel the causes of war and terrorism. Our dependence on imported oil also results in pressure to drill for oil in environmentally threatened places.

Where does the oil go after it is burned? Into the atmosphere – where it is causing global warming and other air pollution problems. In fact, every gallon of gas burned releases twenty pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere!

This problem is getting worse. The average fuel economy of American vehicles is now at its lowest level since 1980! However, raising fuel economy standards for new cars, SUVs and other light trucks to an average of 40 miles per gallon (mpg) over the next 10 years would save nearly 2 million barrels per day (mbd) in 2012 and nearly 4 mbd by 2020 -- more oil per day than we now import from the Persian Gulf. This responsible step would save consumers billions of dollars at the gas pump and slash heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming.

Which Values Are at Stake in This Issue?

Stewardship: Judaism calls on us to serve as responsible stewards of God’s creation. As Psalm 24 teaches us, “The Earth is the Eternal’s and all that is in it.” We are instructed “to till and to tend the garden” (Gen 2:15) in which we live. Global warming threatens to bring rising seas, weather and agricultural disruptions, floods, refugees, and migrating diseases which will most harm the planet’s poor and vulnerable. This is a clear violation of our stewardship responsibility.

Shalom – Peace is central to Judaism. And issues of war and peace are very much on our minds these days. The war on terrorism is inextricably intertwined with our dependence on oil from the Middle East. The fact that the United States now imports more than 50% of its oil, almost one quarter of which comes from the Persian Gulf and from regimes which have historically been autocratic, corrupt, or violent, imposes unnecessary limitations on our pursuit of peace and stability.

Tzedek – Justice is a fundamental Jewish obligation. We are commanded to “defend the poor and the orphan; do justice to the afflicted and the needy” (Ps 82:3) and consider the impact of our activities “for perpetual generations” (Gen 9:12). Yet the petroleum-fueled automobiles now being built and marketed will bring disastrous pollution to peoples of developing nations.

History of the Fuel Economy Issue

In 1975 Congress passed and President Ford signed the law establishing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. CAFE standards set the minimum average fuel economy that a manufacturer's fleet of cars must meet. Congress required cars to ramp up from 13.8 mpg to 27.5 mpg by the late 1980s. However, despite dramatic advances in technology, 25 years later that standard is still in place. Congress also asked the Department of Transportation to set light truck fuel economy standards. Light truck standards inched up to 20.7 mpg, but have virtually stagnated for 20 years.

The Benefits of CAFE Standards

• Raising CAFE Standards will Improve our Energy Security:
  We import 52 percent of our oil. Our cars, SUVs, and other light trucks guzzle 40% of the oil used in the U.S. every day. Current CAFE standards save 3 mbd. Raising CAFE standards for new cars, SUVs and other light trucks to 40 mpg is the biggest single step we can take to curb our oil dependence.
  
  
• Raising CAFE Standards will Save Consumers Money, Stimulate our Economy, and Create Jobs:
  CAFE standards already save consumers money at the gas pump. Because fuel economy for cars doubled between 1975 and the late 1980s, a new car purchaser saves thousands of dollars at the gas pump over the lifetime of the car. Now it is time for Detroit to pass on savings to SUV owners. Making the Ford Explorer go from 19 mpg to 34 mpg would cost $935 in technology, but would save the owner $790 each year on gas. Raising CAFE standards for new cars, SUVs and other light trucks to 40 mpg over the next 10 years will save consumers $16 billion annually by 2012.
  
  Consumers would spend this money at home, rather than sending it overseas to oil producing nations, thus stimulating our economy, improving wages, and creating jobs. A 1997 report by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy concluded that raising CAFE standards would translate into a net increase of 244,000 jobs nationwide, with 47,000 of these in the auto industry.
  
  
• Raising CAFE Standards Will Protect the Environment:
  Raising CAFE standards would curb global warming. Carbon dioxide emissions from our cars and trucks add to the CO2 blanket around the earth, which prevents heat from leaving the atmosphere, causing global warming. America's cars and trucks alone emit more CO2 than all but four countries in the world -- the U.S. as a whole, China, Russia, and Japan. Each gallon of gasoline burned pumps 28 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere, thus the more efficient the vehicle, the lower the CO2 emissions. Raising CAFE standards to 40 mpg would slash our CO2 emissions-greatly reducing our contribution to global warming.

Technology Advances and Safety

The technology exists to provide Americans with safe, efficient vehicles that curb global warming pollution. More efficient engines, transmissions, and better aerodynamics could dramatically increase the fuel economy of our cars. Hybrid gas-electric engines offer even better gas mileage. However, so far only Japanese manufacturers are using this technology. Three hybrids are currently in production: the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, and Honda Civic Hybrid, all of which get over 50 mpg. While CAFE standards doubled fuel economy from 1975-1989, the highway fatality rate dropped by 50 percent. Modern technologies can bring us even safer and more fuel efficient vehicles today.

How You Can Help!

1. Choose an alternative to driving:
   Next time you need to get to the grocery store or to work, ask yourself if you can get there by walking, bicycling, or taking public transportation.
2. Purchase with prudence:
   When you find yourself in the market for a new automobile, remember that buying a car is a moral choice. Consider buying a fuel-efficient car that conserves energy and does the least damage to the environment.
3. Speak your mind - and heart:
   If you are willing to do your part to reduce the harmful effects of global warming, shouldn't automakers and political leaders meet you half way?

It’s not just about vehicles, it's about values.

ACTION ALERT! Click here to automatically fax a letter to automobile executives urging action to increase their vehicles' fuel economy. Or mail your own version of the letter using the information below:

Rick Wagoner, President and CEO
General Motors Corporation
General Motors Headquarters
300 Renaissance Center
PO Box 300
Detroit, MI 48265-3000

Bill Ford, Chairman and CEO
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, MI 48126

Dieter Zetsche, CEO
Chrysler Corporation
PO Box 21-8004
Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8004

COEJL's Clean Car Campaign Links