FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2001

CONTACT:
Allen Mattison, 202-675-7903
Sierra Club


                    BUSH BREAKS CAMPAIGN PLEDGE,
             RISKS CHILDREN'S FUTURE WITH GLOBAL WARMING U-TURN

WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush today broke his campaign promise to
curb carbon dioxide pollution, the primary gas causing global warming.  His
backpedaling after heavy lobbying by big-business interests deeply
distresses the Sierra Club and other Americans concerned about the
consequences of global warming.

"By failing to curb carbon dioxide pollution, President Bush is betraying
his pledge to the American people and taking a dive on a crisis with
disastrous consequences," said Carl Pope, the Sierra Club's executive
director.  "During the campaign, Gov. Bush tried to claim an environmental
mantle, but in the White House he's cowing to coal lobbyists instead of
honoring his commitment to our children."

On the campaign trail in September, then-Gov. Bush promised "mandatory
reduction targets for emissions of four main pollutants" including carbon
dioxide.  In recent weeks, his Environmental Protection Agency
administrator, Christie Whitman, spoke out in support of Bush's campaign
position, igniting the ire of coal and energy industry lobbyists.  Today,
President Bush
reversed his position in a letter to Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), promising
to reduce only three air pollutants.

"When energy industry lobbyists banged on the White House door, President
Bush made a
policy u-turn that will haunt our children," Pope said.  "America is
already experiencing the kinds of global warming catastrophes scientists
have warned us about, such as heat waves, droughts, coastal flooding and
malaria outbreaks."

President Bush's reversal rejects not only his campaign stance by also the
concerns of world leaders.  British Prime Minister Tony Blair raised his
global warming concerns with President Bush during their Camp David
meetings, and Administrator Whitman addressed the issue in a meeting with
the Group of Eight environment ministers.

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