The Declaration

Sponsored by the Student Alliance for National Security (SANS) at Indiana University. This declaration was part of a program to raise awareness of the importance of energy and climate change among college students.

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for a country to dissolve certain economic bands, which have connected them it other countries, in order to establish a more secure state, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that it should declare the causes which impel it to oil independence.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that America’s reliance on oil must be addressed immediately, and that we must develop innovative ways to fuel our Nation’s future. It is the right of the People to alter the status quo by urging lawmakers to enact legislation to combat this threat. Moreover, it is our right, it is our duty, to end this dangerous reliance, and to provide for our country’s security and prosperity. Let the following facts be noted:

• Our dependence on foreign oil is a national security threat that limits flexibility in American foreign policy
• The current high rate of oil consumption is accelerating global warming, putting our environment in danger
• Hundreds of billions of dollars are sent overseas annually to buy foreign oil, limiting our economic growth and
• Volatile oil prices have consistently created financial strain for hardworking Americans

We, therefore, the Representatives of the rising generation of Americans, assembled around the broad and diverse land of the United States of America, appeal to the United States Congress to enact legislation that will reduce American dependence on oil, combat climate change, expand use of alternative energy, and help American businesses and workers produce the energy innovations needed to stimulate the U.S. economy.

We vow to take a stand and declare our generation as independent from the grasp of foreign oil, in the hope that we can lead safer, healthier, and more prosperous lives.

• Oil Dependence

  
  Threatens the planet
  Transportation accounts for 30% of all US greenhouse gas emissions, a staggering 2 billion metric tons of CO2 per year, and that use is growing faster than all other sources of greenhouse gases.
  
  Distorts our foreign policy
  Whether it’s a commitment to protecting oil markets or limiting our policy choices, our oil use limits our standing in the world.
  
  Weakens our economy, shipping almost $1 billion per day overseas to pay for our oil imports. Moreover, energy prices have ripple effects in everything we do, from our farms to our industry.
   

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