For the sake of our environmental and economic well-being, we believe that any tax reform proposal must be measured against its ability to meet these three goals. Moving toward these three goals together will move us toward a truly Sustainable America. Friends of the Earth believes that these proposals will not ensure environmental sustainability, will not improve standards of living, and will not create better jobs. Borrowing from Future Generations Persuasive evidence exists that today's lifestyles are dependent upon borrowing from future generations. The threat encompasses more than the federal government's level of debt.
Economists say our saving rate is so low that it risks a strong economic future for our children.
Similarly, our current behavior is contributing to a mounting environmental debt that will compromise the future. For example, the U.S. ranks first among industrial nations in emitting pollution that contributes to global warming. Scientists tell us that our present CO2 pollution rate threatens the fundamental health of the global environment. Present generations are unfairly borrowing from future generations' economic and environmental well being. They are critical to tax reform because the single largest influence on the health of the environment is the federal government's budget and how the government collects revenue to fund the budget.