Babbitt assails Bush's environmental record

FROM THE ARCHIVE

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APRIL 23, 2001

Former Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt on Sunday made his first public speech since leaving office and wasted little time joining the chorus of critics who have criticized the Bush administration's recent environmental decisions.

Although he admitted some hesitance, Babbitt said it was time to "break the silence" and speak out on President George W. Bush's withdrawal from a global warming treaty, the decision to renege on a campaign promise, a delay on implementing an arsenic in water standard, and the proposal to "vandalize" the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska by opening it up to oil and gas development.

Addressing his chosen topic of climate change at an Earth Day lecture at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Babbitt said he was armed with facts that should raise anyone's attention to the problem. Snowcaps on Mount Kilimanjaro are disappearing, glaciers are melting, and temperatures are rising, said President Clinton's seven-year Interior Secretary.

But these and other warning signs "pale in comparison to the political events taking place in Washington, DC," he charged, blaming Bush for not taking a firm stand on environmental issues during his first one hundred days as President.

"America, in my view, deserves better," said Babbitt.

For Babbitt, Bush's withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol and the conclusion that reducing carbon dioxide emissions would harm the economy were particularly troublesome. While Babbitt acknowledged the Kyoto Protocol is far from perfect and isn't "the only game in town," he chastised Bush for not presenting an alternative.

"Your silence demeans our country," said Babbitt of Bush.

Negotiated in Kyoto, Japan, and signed by the President Clinton, the agreement calls on industrial countries to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, which are believed to contribute to global warming. The Senate had refused to ratify it, however, calling for additional measures affecting developing nations.

But even at home, Babbitt said Bush should be taking positive steps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. He pointed to a sulfur dioxide reductions program which is based on emissions trading, a policy the Bush administration has otherwise touted as key to developing true partnerships with states and businesses.

"Given this record of proven success, why is the President backing down?" wondered Babbitt. "We can't move away from the carbon economy on a wing and a prayer. We can only learn by doing."

Babbitt later defended his decision not to recommend Clinton declare ANWR a national monument. He said that the designation would not add any legal safeguards to the refuge.

At a private reception following the lecture, Babbitt declined to comment to Indianz.Com on his views affecting Indian Country. He instead referred requests be made through Latham & Walkins, a Washington, DC, law firm of which he serves as counsel.

At a speech before the winter conference of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Babbitt promised to support tribal issues after he left office.

"Our partnership has been one of the greatest, most transcendent experiences of my life, and I will always, always be available to speak and fight for your cause, whenever and wherever you call upon me to do so," said Babbitt.

Babbitt also said he wasn't "going to practice law" or be a "paid lobbyist." Latham & Walkins announced Babbitt was joining its ranks on January 22, two days after the end of the Clinton administration.

Relevant Links:
Latham & Walkins - http://www.lw.com
Global warming, Environmental Protection Agency - http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming
The Kyoto Protocol - http://www.unfccc.de/resource/docs/convkp/kpeng.html
Perspectives on the Kyoto Protocol - http://www.iisd.ca/linkages/climate/ba/perspectives.html