I hope you will join me in urging the United States Congress to re-authorize and strengthen the present tax credit for the purchase of hybrid cars and trucks by individuals and businesses. The world’s scientists have recently sent us a powerful warning about global warming and its devastating impact on climate change. It does not take a rocket scientist to know that the more oil we use the faster we move toward environmental and economic disaster.

German Environment Minister Siegmar Gabriel said Tuesday he has no plans to change to a Japanese hybrid vehicle even though his official car is not classed as environmentally friendly. The minister, who is chauffered around in a gas-guzzling Audi A8, said he had a responsibility to workers in Germany whose taxes pay his salary. “I don’t spend my time in a car because I want to. I use it as an office,” he said.