But digging up and drilling America's cherished wildlands - including the incomparable Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska - will never help us accomplish energy independence. America holds less than three percent of the world's oil reserves, yet we use 25 percent of the world's oil production.

Energy experts agree that making cars more fuel efficient is the single most effective thing the U.S. can do to decrease dependence on foreign oil and thus increase national security. We must call on our nation's leaders to put in place a comprehensive energy policy that includes aggressive conservation and efficiency measures that will:

• reduce demand for gasoline with better gas mileage
• promote cleaner fuels
  
• make available, quickly, hybrid and fuel cell technologies
  
• promote public transportation
• support "smart growth" development patterns that reduce driving, cut gasoline use, and offer a better quality of life

TAKE THE ENERGY PLEDGE

With just three percent of the world's oil reserves, America consumes 25 percent of the world's oil. Although oil is relatively inexpensive today (the average price of gasoline is about as low as it ever has ever been after adjusting for inflation) and we face no energy crisis, the truth is we simply cannot continue to consume oil at this pace. It's bad for the environment; it's bad for the nation.

Please take the pledge:

I pledge:

1. To drive eight percent fewer miles - on average, about 3 miles less per day. 
2. To keep car tires properly inflated. 
3. To buy replacement tires that are as fuel-efficient as the originals. 
4. To make sure the next car or truck I buy gets at least three miles per gallon more than the one I drive today.