(Facilitator: Free The Planet! )
Imagine being able to conserve the amount of oil that could be drilled from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, saving consumers billions of dollars a year and being able to cut global warming pollution by 345 million tons by just making a few key changes in the way that our vehicles are manufactured. The fact is that the technology to do this is out there but most car-manufacturing companies are not taking advantage of them.
Ford Motor Company is the leading American car company. Ford claims that it is an environmentally forward thinking company but if one looks at their actions it is clear that this rhetoric is more of a marketing strategy than a practice. According to Ford's website, the average fuel economy of their 2003 fleet is 23.8 miles per gallon. This is lower than that of the 1923 Model T, which got up to 25 miles per gallon.
Ford must increase the fuel efficiency of its cars and trucks in order to reduce the emission of green house gases from its vehicles. Some car companies are taking advantage of this technology, including many Japanese companies. The 2004 Toyota Prius gets 55 miles per gallon and has emissions that are 89% lower than the average new car. As a leader in the auto industry, Ford has the power to influence the industry overall by putting the environment and public safety before profit.
We are demanding that Ford use the technology that is available and raise their average fuel efficiency to 40 miles per gallon by the year 2010. Students are holding events at auto shows, writing letters and making calls to Bill Ford, Jr., and getting Ford's gas guzzling in the media.
Go to www.freetheplanet.org for more information and contact us to get involved.Geographical Scope: National Added on 05-17-2004 Updated on 05-17-2004 |
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