California Leads in Cutting Global Warming Emissions
In 2002, California took a big step in fighting against global warming by passing the California Clean Cars Bill. This landmark law targets the state's biggest source of greenhouse gas pollution -- passenger vehicles. It gradually reduces greenhouse gas pollution from new cars sold in the state to meet a 30% cut by model year 2016.

In September, California air officials unanimously approved the rules, which require automakers to achieve maximum feasible and cost-effective reductions of greenhouse gas pollution from passenger vehicles.  Other states and the government of Canada are considering adopting similar rules, showing how one model policy can lead the way.

Auto Industry Hits the Brakes
Instead of rising to the challenge of deploying innovative technologies to cut California's global warming pollution, car companies are suing the state and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to try to block the new rule. The automakers are:

Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, DaimlerChrysler, Nissan, Hyundai, BMW, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Volkswagen, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Isuzu, Kia, Maserati, Peugeot, Renault, Subaru, Suzuki

"If GM, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota and Ford are going to survive, they have got to wake up to their responsibilities and produce vehicles that emit less greenhouse gas pollution," said Environmental Defense attorney Jim Marston. "It's especially disappointing to see Ford and Toyota filing suit, since they have been trying to position themselves as environmentally sensitive manufacturers."

Some car companies have fought the California Clean Cars Bill from the beginning, hiring high-priced lobbyists and consultants and devising fake grassroots "Astroturf" campaigns and misleading ads to try to derail it. Their tactics didn't work. But now, car companies have moved the battlefield to the courts.

Californians Overwhelmingly Support Lower Emissions
Californians have made it clear that they want better cars and cleaner vehicle choices. According to a Public Policy Institute of California poll, 81% of Californians, and even 77% of SUV drivers, support reducing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. In addition to decreasing pollution, the rules will make cars more fuel efficient, saving drivers hundreds of dollars at the fuel pump. Many of the technologies needed to achieve these reductions are available in cars today, giving automakers plenty of time to meet requirements a few years down the road.

Take Action - Urge Automakers to Innovate, Not Litigate
Send letters to the CEOs of Ford, General Motors, Toyota, DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen, and to the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, which represents the other companies party to the lawsuit.  Demand that they drop their lawsuit against California's landmark global warming policy.  Let them know that car consumers and the public want the companies to build cleaner cars, not to waste money on lawsuits to block progress.

 

Other Information and Action

• Find out more about California's landmark efforts to fight global warming.
• Sign a Petition - Supporting the Climate Stewardship Act, Congress's most effective option for cutting greenhouse gas emissions across the country.
• Find out more about efforts to promote cleaner cars and clean car technology. Visit www.cleancarcampaign.org