In any effort to decrease carbon emissions, it seems like a no-brainer to do something about gas-guzzling cars. And that's exactly what a bill under consideration in the Senate attempts to do by increasing the average fuel mileage of new cars. But with American car companies mobilizing in opposition, it's about time that Michigan's Congressional leaders stopped blindly supporting the auto industry and realized that increasing mileage standards is not only good for the environment, it's also a wake-up call that the Big Three needs to remain competitive.

The new bill, which will come to the Senate floor in early June, would increase the average fuel standard to 27.5 mpg for cars and 22.2 mpg for small trucks by 2008. Following this, the bill intends to continue increasing the standard by 4 percent each year until at least 2020. By 2020, the average mileage would be 35 mpg, equal to the current standard in Europe.

Considering that Americans own 30 percent of the world's cars and are responsible for 45 percent of the world's carbon emissions, this small increase in fuel efficiency would substantially reduce the world's total carbon emissions.

Despite these benefits, the automotive industry and Michigan politicians remain opposed to the bill and preoccupied with its short-term impact. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) hypothesizes that it would "cost American jobs" as more consumers turn to foreign companies like Toyota and Honda to purchase vehicles with higher fuel efficiencies.

Yet, this has already become a tangible issue for American carmakers as exorbitant gas prices force an increasing number of consumers to seek higher mileage cars. Amazingly, it is not fuel standards that are crippling car companies right now; it's the lack of fuel-efficient cars.

Carl Levin, Michigan's other Democratic senator, believes that these standards would halt technological developments like fuel cells. But the new requirements would only complement new technological developments. Tougher fuel standards would force companies to delve into other fuel-saving options, further improving the mileage of the vehicles and restoring the reputation of American car companies as innovators.

Instead of seeking the long-term solutions that might help solve the automotive industry's problems and also reduce the impact of global warming, Michigan's leaders are pursuing short-term, electorally-friendly strategies that are embarrassing to their constituents and counterproductive to their goals.

It's time for Michigan's leaders to do what they should have done 10 years ago: impel the American auto industry into being competitive.