The White House, President George W. Bush Click to print this document

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 20, 2007

Fact Sheet: Earth Day 2007
A Record Of Results In Protecting Our Environment

     Fact sheet President Bush Commemorates Earth Day 2007, Calls for Good Stewardship of Land and Oceans
     Fact sheet In Focus: Environment

President Bush Is Pursuing Common-Sense Policies To Protect The Environment. By encouraging cooperative conservation, innovation, and new technologies, this Administration has compiled a strong environmental record. Because of the President's efforts, America's air is cleaner, our water is purer, our natural resources are better protected, and we are taking positive steps to confront the important challenge of climate change. For example:

The President Is Acting On His Commitment To Good Stewardship And Conservation Of Our Air, Water, And Land

In The State Of The Union Address, President Bush Announced His "Twenty In Ten" Plan To Reduce U.S. Gasoline Usage By 20 Percent In The Next Ten Years. This goal requires progress on two fronts: reforming fuel economy standards for cars to make our use of gasoline more efficient, and harnessing the power of technology to increase the use of alternative fuels. Reaching this goal will help address climate change concerns by reducing carbon dioxide emissions from cars, light trucks, and SUVs.

The President's FY 2008 Budget Includes The Highest Increase Ever In Parks Operations Funding And Requests The First Funding For The National Parks Centennial Initiative. The President's National Parks Centennial Initiative will enhance our parks leading up to their 100th anniversary by providing up to $3 billion in public and private investment over 10 years. The Initiative includes a Federal commitment of $100 million per year over 10 years for improvements to our parks. In addition, the President's Centennial Challenge urges individuals, foundations, and the private sector to help support the parks by contributing $100 million annually for 10 years. The President's FY 2008 Budget proposes matching these contributions.

The President's 2007 Farm Bill Proposal Includes $56 Billion Over 10 Years To Conserve And Protect Natural Resources. This funding would increase by over 50 percent the protected acreage under the Wetlands Reserve Program, create a Regional Water Enhancement Program, and sustain the Conservation Reserve Program.

On April 13, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Proposed A New Clean Air Locomotive And Marine Diesel Rule To Set Stringent Emissions Standards For Locomotive And Marine Diesel Engines. This initiative would significantly reduce air pollution from these engines by cutting particulate matter by 90 percent and nitrogen oxides emissions by 80 percent.

Setting And Enforcing Tough Standards For Air Quality

The Administration Is Implementing New Clean Air Rules That Will Reduce Power-Plant Pollution By Approximately 70 Percent And Cut Pollution From Diesel Fuel Engines By More Than 90 Percent.

Preserving And Protecting Natural Resources Through Cooperative Conservation

The Administration Is Facilitating Cooperative Conservation To Protect The Environment Through Collaboration Between Government And Private Entities.

We Are Expanding Conservation To Improve And Protect Our Public Lands.

The President Is Committed To Protecting Our Oceans Through Wise Stewardship And Sensible Management.

Ensuring Public Health And Energy Security With Cleaner Fuels, Improved Efficiency, And New Technologies

The President Has An Aggressive Agenda To Strengthen America's Energy Security And Improve The Environment. His policies seek to reduce carbon monoxide and cancer-causing benzene emissions and can lead to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from cars, light trucks, and SUVs.

Providing A Realistic, Growth-Oriented Approach To Climate Change

The Administration's Climate Change Policy Is Science-Based, Encourages Research Breakthroughs, And Takes Advantage Of The Power Of Markets To Bring Technologies Into Widespread Use. President Bush has committed to reducing U.S. greenhouse gas intensity 18 percent by 2012, and we are well on track to meet this goal. According to the Energy Information Agency, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions increased only 0.6 percent between 2004 and 2005 (compared to an average annual 1 percent increase over the 1990-2005 period), and greenhouse gas intensity decreased 2.5 percent.

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