Florida is increasingly becoming the epicenter of climate change impacts in the United States. The state faces numerous climate-related challenges, including rising sea levels, extreme heat, and intensified hurricanes. Meteorologists and climate scientists have been sounding the alarm for years, warning about the severe consequences if immediate actions are not taken to mitigate these effects.

Every day our cars and trucks guzzle an eye-popping 378 million gallons of gasoline, spewing millions of tons of global warming pollution into the air. This accounts for about 40 percent of U.S. oil consumption, with freight trucks adding another 14 percent.

Saving oil in transportation is crucial for reducing our perilous foreign energy dependence and addressing the climate challenge. Improving vehicle technology also would keep our domestic auto industry competitive in a world where fuel efficiency has become a significant advantage in the global marketplace.