* The US imports more than 57% of the oil it uses and 67% is consumed by the transportation sector.

* On average, Americans' cars consume 345 million gallons of gasoline each day. For every gallon of gas a car burns, it puts about 20 pounds of carbon dioxide (the number one greenhouse gas) into the atmosphere.

* In one year, traffic congestion wastes about 2.3 billion gallons of gas--an annual supply for around 3.5 million cars.

* 200 million motor vehicles registered in the US use almost 4000 gallons of fuel per second, accounting for two-thirds of US oil consumption

* Twenty-six percent of the oil consumed worldwide is consumed by the US.

* Carbon dioxide is one of the "greenhouse gases" and is responsible for about 60% of the effect of "global warming." By trapping some of the sun's heat with a blanket of gases (carbon dioxide and methane), our atmosphere remains warm enough to support life. Because we constantly burn fossil fuel, we're now releasing so much carbon dioxide into the air that this blanket is getting thicker, causing the world to become warmer. Many scientists believe that it is possible for these warming temperatures to eventually melt polar caps, which would raise ocean levels and flood coastal areas.

* The US oil demand is up to 20 million barrels per day.  If the oil used was lined up in one-gallon cans, they would encircle the earth at the equator almost 6 times (about 147,000 miles of cans)—every day!

We Can Make A Difference

* Next oil change, try using a re-refined type oil. Oil doesn't get used up or worn out, it gets dirty. Re-refined oil is cleaned and ready to use again. This is one way to cut back our use of a non-renewable resource.

* Keep you car properly maintained; this will help improve your gas mileage and also reduce oil usage.

* According to some estimates, the average commuter car carries about 1.2 people each day. If we increase that by just one person, we would save millions of gallons of gasoline, and keep millions of pounds of "greenhouse gases" out of the atmosphere.

* Carpooling, using mass transit or bicycling to work and/or flexible work schedules are all ways to cut down on the number of cars that jam the roads during typical rush hour times. Cutting congestion levels will help our atmosphere, reduce energy consumption and reduce commute related stress.