Peace & Security

Today we are driving much more than we were in years past, and we are doing so in less efficient vehicles -- increasing our dependence on foreign oil from unstable regions. Consider these facts.

• In 1994, nearly 60% of U.S. households owned two or more cars and 19% owned three or more.
• Since 1970, vehicle miles traveled have increased 149% while U.S. population increased 39%.
• The 2000 census revealed that 3 out of 4 workers drive to work alone, an increase from both 10 and 20 years ago. In addition, less than 5% use public transportation and less than 3% telecommute.
• Fuel economy for passenger vehicles peaked in 1988 and is at a 22 year low. This is due to the increase in vehicles from the "light trucks" category (SUVs, vans, and pickups).
• SUVs, vans, and pickups are allowed by the federal corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards to use one third more fuel than cars. Since the CAFE law passed in 1975 they have seen explosive growth (SUVs have increased by a factor of 10 since 1975) and now account for nearly 50% of the market.

Peace & National & Economic Security

Congress originally passed the corporate average fuel economy law (CAFE) in 1975 for national security reasons, to make us less dependent on foreign oil from unstable regions. This is still an appropriate rationale. Unfortunately, for years members in the House of Representatives have attached a rider to the Department of Transportation (DOT) Appropriations bill to prevent the DOT from doing the mandated study necessary to raise CAFE standards. Thus, fuel economy is at a 22 year low, and we are more dependent than ever on foreign oil.

In 2001 the U.S. imported over 50% of the nation's oil, with about 25% coming from the Middle East.

• The U.S. spends $20-40 billion a year to defend Middle Eastern oil resources.
• The U.S. sends $200,000 overseas each minute to buy oil products.
• By 2020 oil imports are projected to be 64%.
• Up to 75% of the world's oil reserves are in the Middle East and are controlled by the OPEC oil cartel.
• Oil price spikes from 1979 to 1991 cost the U.S. economy about $4 trillion, and the economy went into recession after each major price shock.

As followers of the Prince of Peace, Christians should strive to lessen circumstances that could lead to violent conflicts by reducing our consumption of oil.