Results for America in the Environment

Who are we?
Results for America is a project initiated by the Civil Society Institute, a non-profit, independent organization dedicated to supporting and encouraging the involvement of community level groups and individuals in the public life of the country.

We are citizens who care about the environment. We are community health professionals, factory workers and responsible investors, corporate executives, scientists and consumer activists. We are civil society—the people who make our communities work. And now it is time for us to speak out together. Join us.

Results for America calls on politicians and candidates from all parties to discover America and listen to the voices of experience and wisdom on the challenges we face together as a nation.

Why have we come together?
At a time when the need for sustainable energy policy is more critical than ever, public debate at the federal level has been derailed by oil, coal, timber and other monied interests—the same interests now profiting from the dismantling of our hard-won environmental safeguards.

It is time for the voices of ordinary Americans to be heard in opposition to continuing environmental degradation and in support of innovative ideas that really work.

We are asking tough questions.
Finding the right answers means asking the right questions.

Look over the following questions. Add some of your own. Share what is on your mind with your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues.

Even better, ask candidates, policymakers and the media these same questions—and make it clear that you want straight answers.

Ask:

• Who are the chief beneficiaries of current US energy policy?
• What would be the economic benefits of investing in sustainable and renewable energy sources?
• Are state and federal regulatory agencies aggressive enough in assuring that environmental standards are met?
• What would be the impact on the average American household of a national investment in sustainable energy?
• Why are US auto manufacturers resistant to increased fuel efficiency?
• What can local schools and governments do to reduce energy consumption?
• How does the air in our community measure up to state and federal standards?
• Why are we failing to take action on global warming while there is still time to reduce and reverse the effects?

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We are supporting ideas that work.
The truth is that many of the most important elements of a sane and sustainable national energy policy are available right now. We could see positive economic and environmental results right away if we focused on ideas like these:

• A national investment in renewable energy sources for electricity.
• More stringent pollution controls for existing industries and power plants.
• Using already available technology to increase auto fuel efficiency averages to 40 miles per gallon.
• A reasonable goal of deriving 20 percent of US energy from sustainable sources.
• Investing in alternative fuels for cars, trucks and mass transit.
• Decreasing America's perilous reliance on foreign energy sources.
• New investments in public transportation.
• Promotion of the economic and public-health benefits of sustainable energy sources.
• Creating new economic incentives for energy conservation in homes and businesses.

We are creating a new dialogue about energy and environmental policies.
Few things could be more important to the long-term health of our economy and our country than the air we breathe.

So we are creating new opportunities for the discussion of environmental issues and developing forums where our voices will be heard by policymakers. Throughout the next year and beyond, we will keep looking for new ways to put environmental concerns high on everyone's agenda.

Be sure to share your concerns, ideas and dreams for how to protect our environment. You can write to local, state or national elected officials or people running for local, state or national office. Tell them what is working and what needs improvement.

We cannot afford to allow the environment to further decline. Every candidate needs to know that we expect real leadership on the environment.

How can you do more?
Download your Results for America environmental toolkit.

In your toolkit, you will find everything you need to help make energy and the environment vital issues in 2004 and beyond. You will discover ways to connect with others in your community and nationwide who share your hopes and concerns. Download eye-opening articles, suggested talking points and postcards. You can even send personalized emails to your friends and neighbors to encourage them to get involved.

We invite you to join us in getting Results for America on the environment.

It is our chance to make a difference.

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What is the problem?
With only 4 percent of the world's population, the US consumes a quarter of the world's annual fossil fuel and contributes proportionately to global warming, a growing threat to our economy and our health. Global warming is caused by excess carbon dioxide and other gases trapped in our atmosphere. Doctors have now linked global warming to the spread of tropical diseases such as the West Nile virus in the United States. We also have an epidemic of asthma in parts of our country, due partially to excessive air pollution.

Many policymakers have chosen to disregard the warnings of scientists worldwide and have labeled dozens of studies linking fossil fuel consumption with dire global consequences as inconclusive—much as the tobacco industry attempted to do for years with links between smoking and cancer.