Released on May 10, 2007 at the United Nations, New York

We are citizens of the United States of America.

We love our country and are committed to protecting our democracy and the promise of a society that respects the rights and well-being of all.

As citizens, we not only have rights but also responsibilities -- to inform and educate ourselves about the full impacts of our choices, in what we buy and consume, in what we produce in our work and livelihoods, and in the laws we enact.

We also have responsibilities as citizens of the global community, especially given our country's current influence and potential. Given the immense threats posed by climate change and other impacts from our fossil-fuel dependent economy, we acknowledge our unenviable status: with a mere five percent of the world’s population, we generate one-quarter of climate-altering emissions, while consuming one-quarter of the earth's energy resources. Therefore, we must take immediate and comprehensive action to greatly reduce our carbon footprint. For the health of Earth’s ecosystems and future generations we must transform the ways we produce and consume energy in our individual households, communities, regions and nation.

Despite our government’s reticence to acknowledge these responsibilities, we know in our hearts that as a nation we can rise to the long-term challenge of a post-carbon economy and civilization. Nor are we deterred by false claims of so-called “clean” technologies for fossil fuels and nuclear, which rationalize their increased use. Some “solutions” create problems of their own, such as:

•   large-scale biofuel production on small farmers and price of food,
•   nuclear power, and
•   mountaintop removal, causing the destruction of rural and native communities by increased mining of coal.

The comforts and conveniences provided by this economy come at an appalling cost. President Bush told us the United States is addicted to fossil fuels. We are prepared to respond to this challenge, despite the difficulties of changing our habits. Therefore, we agree

1. To inform and educate ourselves about the energy we consume -- to know where it comes from, how it is produced, and what impacts that production and consumption has on other families, communities and environment.

2. To change the ways we consume energy in our households and daily lives, to reduce and end the harm to others and the planet caused by unsustainable production and habits.

3. To challenge and support community leaders to change the ways energy is produced and distributed in our communities, develop policies and plans resulting in practices that significantly reduce harmful pollution and emissions, with time-bound targets to implement those changes.

4. To elect leaders of our national government who will develop a National Sustainable Energy Strategy that will significantly reduce and end the harmful impacts of our fossil-fuel economy on the world's climate and communities.

5. That this strategy must involve full participation of the American public in a national dialogue on a sustainable energy future.

We embrace our responsibility as citizens of the United States and the ecological communities upon which we all depend.

IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE ENDORSE THIS STATEMENT!  LET US KNOW AT:

info@citnet.org

* If you are an organization, tell us the name, state, contact person, email address, and website (if you have one).
* If you are an individual, tell us your name, state, organizational affiliation (if applicable), and email address.