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Executive Office of the President: Presidential Priorities (4) [3 of 7] [1992]
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285792603
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Executive Office of the President: Presidential Priorities (4) [3 of 7] [1992]
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Records pertain to the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
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62090-001
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Records of the White House Office of Science and Technology (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Allan D. Bromley Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
2005-0336-F
2005-0336-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Science and Technology Policy, Office of (OSTP)
Series:
Bromley, D. Allan, Files
Subseries:
Presidential Priorities Files
OA/ID Number:
62090
Folder ID Number:
62090-001
Folder Title:
Executive Office of the President: Presidential Priorities (4) [3 of 7] [1992]
Stack:
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Section:
Shelf:
Position:
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These are all
closed out
(UNCED Letters/
MATT
Document Originally
Attached to
Following Page
"Document Control"
TYPE:
PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201694
ORIGINATOR: 02
STATUS I
DIRECTORATE STATUS
FROM:
WEINZIERL, Hubert: GERMAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF
NATURE
TO:
PRESIDENT BUSH
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE: 02/27/92
SUBJECT: URGES THE PRESIDENT TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE U.S.
ROLE IN ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP AND ATTEND THE
UNCED "EARTH SUMMIT" IN BRAZIL.
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED: ENVIRONMENT
ASSIGNED:
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED: FOR DAB'S SIGNATURE
ACTION:
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
05/19/92
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT:
COPIES TO: D. Allan Bromley
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS:
OSTP RECEIVED: 05/12/92
DEPT RECEIVED:
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
*
169T
THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE
RECEIVED
REFERRAL
12 P12: 13
MAY 12, 1992
TO: OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
MAIL ROOM
ACTION REQUESTED:
DIRECT REPLY, FURNISH INFO COPY
DESCRIPTION OF INCOMING:
ID:
326867
MEDIA: LETTER, DATED FEBRUARY 27, 1992
TO:
PRESIDENT BUSH
FROM:
MR. HUBERT WEINZIERL
CHAIRMAN (PROJEKTSTELLE UNCED
DNR/BUND)
GERMAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE
PROTECTION OF NATURE AND THE *
KONIGSWINTERER STR. 665
5300 BONN 3 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
SUBJECT: URGES THE PRESIDENT TO BE CONSISTENT WITH
THE U.S. ROLE IN ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP
AND ATTEND THE UNCED "EARTH SUMMIT" IN
BRAZIL, JUN 92
PROMPT ACTION IS ESSENTIAL -- IF REQUIRED ACTION HAS NOT BEEN
TAKEN WITHIN 9 WORKING DAYS OF RECEIPT, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE
UNDERSIGNED AT 456-7486.
RETURN CORRESPONDENCE, WORKSHEET AND COPY OF RESPONSE
(OR DRAFT) TO:
AGENCY LIAISON, ROOM 91, THE WHITE HOUSE, 20500
SALLY KELLEY
DIRECTOR OF AGENCY LIAISON
PRESIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE
ID# 326867
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
DATE RECEIVED: MAY 08, 1992
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: MR. HUBERT WEINZIERL
SUBJECT: URGES THE PRESIDENT TO BE CONSISTENT WITH
THE U.S. ROLE IN ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP
AND ATTEND THE UNCED "EARTH SUMMIT" IN
BRAZIL, JUN 92
ACTION
DISPOSITION
ROUTE TO:
ACT
DATE
TYPE C COMPLETED
OFFICE/AGENCY
(STAFF NAME)
CODE YY/MM/DD
RESP
D
YY/MM/DD
KAR
OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLIC
ORG
92/05/88
/
N
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
RL
/ /
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
COMMENTS: INCOMING REC'D AT THE WHITE HOUSE MAY 4 92
* ENVIRONMENT
** CONSERVATION
ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENTS:
1 MEDIA:L INDIVIDUAL CODES: 3500 4610 4690
MI MAIL
USER CODES: (A)
(B)
(C)
*ACTION CODES:
*DISPOSITION
*OUTGOING
*
*
*
*CORRESPONDENCE:
*
*A-APPROPRIATE ACTION *A-ANSWERED
*TYPE RESP=INITIALS
*
*C-COMMENT/RECOM
*B-NON-SPEC-REFERRAL
*
OF SIGNER
*
*D-DRAFT RESPONSE
*C-COMPLETED
*
CODE = A
*
*F-FURNISH FACT SHEET *S-SUSPENDED
*COMPLETED = DATE OF
*
*I-INFO COPY/NO ACT NEC*
*
OUTGOING *
*R-DIRECT REPLY W/COPY *
*
*
*S-FOR-SIGNATURE
*
*
*
*X-INTERIM REPLY
*
*
*
REFER QUESTIONS AND ROUTING UPDATES TO CENTRAL REFERENCE
(ROOM 75, OEOB) EXT-2590
KEEP THIS WORKSHEET ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL INCOMING
LETTER AT ALL TIMES AND SEND COMPLETED RECORD TO RECORDS
MANAGEMENT.
Projektstelle
326867
OSTP
UNCED
DNR/BUND
Königswinterer Str. 665
5300 Bonn 3
Telefon: 0228 440203
Deutscher Naturschutzring, Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland
Telefax: 0228 443643
Königswinterer Str. 665, 5300 Bonn 3
President
of the United States of America
Bonn, denFeb. 27, 1992
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C.
USA
Dear Mr. President,
with this letter we are following up our courier of February 10,
1992. Regrettably, we have not yet received any reply.
Your recent statements about "a very important domestic operation"
hint that local and national problems may keep you from attending
the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
(UNCED) in June this year in Rio de Janeiro.
Despite domestic issues, we - the undersigned organizations,
representing 99 member organizations with 2.6 million individual
members - think the United States should help in the present
international developments where the future of the planet and of
mankind is at stake! Up to now in the preparatory negotiations on
UNCED, the United States has failed to exercise its often declared
general leadership.
Although the U.S. has held several positive positions during the
PrepCom process, its position overall has been to avoid commitment
to policies that will advance the goals of the Earth Summit and to
avoid leadership on critical environmental issues according to the
Consortium for Action to Protect the Earth (CAPE '92).
"The book has not yet been closed on preparations for Rio - the
centerpiece of the Earth Summit, an effective climate treaty,
remains to be negotiated. Come May, the United States will have to
provide legally binding commitments to limit carbon dioxide and
other greenhouse gases if Rio is to produce any meaningful
results. "
During the preparatory process towards UNCED, the United States
delegation has rather limited progress on the following policies:
- it has sought to remove the entire chapter addressing the impact
of consumption on the environment and to delete or weaken
references to consumption throughout the negotiations;
- it has assisted in substantially weakening recommendations on
promoting greater energy efficiency and renewables as well as on
incorporating full cost pricing on energy use - despite the fact
that at the London G-7 Summit, the United States agreed to seek to
'price energy from all sources so as to reflect costs fully,
including environmental costs'. The U.S. also strongly opposed
environmental impact assessments of policy measures relating to
energy despite the fact that it was supporting such assessments in
other parts of Agenda 21, for UN institutions, and in the proposed
Earth Charter.
- it has weakened language to remove price distortions and to
develop full cost environmental accounting and global corporate
environmental management;
- it has opposed proposals by other nations to adopt a ban on the
transboundary traffic of hazardous and radioactive wastes. Such
ban has been adopted between European and developing nations.
In addition to your consideration not to attend the Rio
Conference, all these points will contribute to a shrinking
respect of the United States abroad - and will bring your country
to isolation from the international community which is getting
ready to undergo the necessary changes to care for the Earth.
Preparations for the Earth Summit are nearing an end. The planning
process for a climate change treaty and other critical issues of
the Earth Summit will continue at the next and final round of
negotiations for the first (mentioned) in New York from April 30
to May 8.
Dear Mr. President, now is one of the last opportunities to
reconsider your position on the United Nations Conference.
We encourage you to be consistent to the United States' role in
environmental leadership, a role you have claimed so many times.
Strong commitments are needed for our common future ; the world is
watching the United States and its President - in particular for
this biggest and most important conference of the UN.
Therefore, we urgently ask you not to disappoint these
expectations which in many countries of the world, but certainly
in your own as well are linked especially to your person.
Looking forward to a more positive echo
we remain
Yours sincerely
W.G.J. Prof Dr. W. Engelhardt
Hubert Weinzierl
President
Chairman
Deutscher Naturachutzring
Bund für Umwelt und
Naturschutz Deutschland
(German League for the
(German Association for
Protection of the Environment
the Protection of Nature
and Nature Conservation)
and the Environment)
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 28, 1992
Dear Mr. Weinzierl and Professor Engelbart:
Thank you for your letter to President Bush about global environmental issues, particularly
regarding the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The
President appreciates your comments and suggestions.
The United States has been, and will continue to be, a leader in environmental stewardship.
President Bush believes that global stewardship is our shared responsibility and our shared
opportunity. He is committed to working with the international community to produce
strategies for managing the Earth's natural resources in ways that assure the sustainability of
humanity on this planet and in ways that maximize our potential for growth and opportunity
for all. It is the President's conviction that environmental protection and economic growth,
well managed, complement one another.
Global stewardship is a continuing process of political, economic, and social decision-making
that meets the needs of the present generation, while expanding the opportunities of future
generations. UNCED provides an unprecedented opportunity for addressing a broad range of
such concerns that are of vital interest to developed nations and the developing nations alike.
In keeping with his commitment to fostering greater cooperation in approaching the
environmental problems, the President has announced that he will attend the Rio Conference.
President Bush recognizes the widespread interest in addressing the issue of global climate
change. In that regard, the President is pleased with the successful negotiation of a framework
convention on climate change. Enclosed is a statement about the role that the United States
has played in safeguarding our environment and about issues relating to UNCED.
I hope that this information is helpful to you. It comes to you with the President's best wishes.
Sincerely yours,
Dauan Romley
D. Allan Bromley
The Assistant to the President
for
Science and Technology
Mr. Hubert Weinzierl
Professor W. Engelbart
Konigswinterer Str. 665
5300 Bonn 3
Federal Republic of Germany
"Document Control"
TYPE:
Presidential Priority
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201266
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
Merritt C. Bragdon
TO:
President Bush
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE: 02/26/92
SUBJECT: He is writing to urge the President to attend the
Earth Summit (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: Draft for DAB's signature
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT:
04/02/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS: See response on document #9201148
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 03/04/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
920166
6030 No. 16th St.
Arlington, VA 22205
Feb. 26, 1992
President George Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. Bush:
I strongly urge you to attend the Earth Summit this
coming June in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This UN Conference
on Environment and Development offers an extraordinary
chance to redirect resources away from military alloca-
tions and toward environmental protection and sustain-
able economic development. It also offers you an opportunity,
in an election year, to deliver on your promise to be an
"Enviromental President."
In particular, I hope that you will endeavor at
the Summit to obtain general agreement on conventions to
reduce carbon dioxide emissions, to cut air and water
pollution, and to protect the world's forests. Such agree-
ments must contain specific timetables in order to be
effective.
Sincerely,
menitt C Merritt C. Bragdon Bragdon
"Document Control"
TYPE:
Presidential Priority
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201258
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
Carolyn J. Dennis
TO:
President Bush
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE: 02/26/92
SUBJECT: She is writing to urge the President to attend the
Earth Summit (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: Draft for DAB'S signature
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 04/02/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS: See response on document #9201148
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 02/28/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
51
Earth
9201258 Feb. 26, 1992
Dear President Bush;
& am very concerned about
the upcoming UNCED meeting (United
nations Conference on Environment and
Development) in June in Brazil. This is such
an outstanding opportunity to set
world wide goals for improving and
safeguarding the environment, and,
alleviating poverty.
However, for some reason ??
your / our delegation has been
very disipalined to make any
agreements- - for example, we
have so far not agreed to any
control of our CO2 emissions,
We also need to push for
strong legal controls to implement
the agree ments,
In addition, & hope you
-2-
will push for reform of our
foreign aid - We need to increase
development aid (to at least aid%)
and decrease military
to attending this conference? - It
and how about committing now
promises to be a larger gathering
of world leaders than even
the world Summit for Children in
1990,
Let's take a leadership role
not a foot dragging role - and
be a model for other countries.
Sincerely,
Carolyn J Dennis
"Document Control"
TYPE:
Presidential Priority
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201213
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
Arthur Goldstein
TO:
President Bush
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE:
SUBJECT: He is writing to urge the President to attend the
Earth Summit (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: Draft for DAB's signature
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 04/02/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS: See response on docuement number 9201148
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 02/24/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
Memo from unced Arthur Goldstein 9201213
2/24/92
Diar Prees Bush-
I hope have time to
read thuse
articles. I have underluned
them to sall you fund.
I agree with them reasion 110%
were Environmental delemmas and
The all exacerbated by
reasonsfar the the
Environment for your
slowdowns. Please join us and become an
Certher GeldHu
Best sake
ARTHUR GOLDSTEIN, I.A.
7 WOODLAND AVENUE
LARCHMONT, N.Y. 10538
Lead Us to Rio,
Mr. President
2/22/92
Other nations seem to understand
By Michael Oppenheimer
that the warming effect of carbon
dioxide, like the ozone-depleting ef-
lobal warming negotia-
fect of chlorofluorocarbons, cannot be
tions at the United
reversed for decades. These coun-
Nations
remain
tries have learned not to use the need
stalled as the U.S. del-
for continued research as an excuse
egation and the world
for delay. In contrast, the Bush Ad-
await a White House
ministration uses scientific uncer-
shift in policy. Next week's session
tainty like a talisman to ward off
provides President Bush with one last
critics of its inaction. It seems intent
chance to become a global environ-
on repeating the misjudgments that
mental leader instead of a spoiler.
led to wholesale ozone depletion.
The Administration's recent deci-
The President's advisers hold a
sign to support measures that will
myopic economic view, focusing on
speed up the elimination of chloro-
exaggerated cost estimates for re-
fluorocarbons, the main ozone-deplet-
ducing emissions. Instead, they
ing chemicals, was welcome and nec-
should consider the economic oppor-
essary but it doesn't redeem Mr.
tunities that will arise in an increas-
Bush's 1988 campaign promise to be
ingly energy-efficient, environment-
an environmental President. The de-
conscious world. The climate agree-
cision to protect the earth's thinning
ment will exert more influence over
ozone layer came only after a year
technology and trade than a dozen
filled with increasingly dire scientific
Presidential trips to Japan. Our com-
reports. Furthermore, the Du Pont
petitors are preparing to take advan-
Company, the largest American pro-
tage of these possibilities while the
ducer of chlorofluorocarbons, had al-
U.S. only dithers.
Consider the future of the automo-
bile. Motor vehicles are responsible
for about a quarter of carbon dioxide
It's Bush's last
emissions from the U.S. There are
about two people for each car in
chance to be an
America but more than 500 people for
each car in China. An explosive
environmentalist.
growth in emissions would occur if
China and other developing countries
become as dependent on gas-guzzling
cars as we are.
Obviously, global efforts to protect
ready committed to most of the new
the climate will create the need for
requirements in October.
more efficient vehicles. Manufactur-
Our Government has generally un-
ers already have prototypes getting
derestimated the risk posed by
100 miles per gallon and emitting one
chlorofluorocarbons. It. has treated
quarter as much carbon dioxide as a
scientists like a flock of Chicken Lit-
typical new car. Carrying out a global
tles since they warned of this threat
warming treaty would create mar-
18 years ago. Meanwhile, measured
kets for such cars, and provide an
ozone depletion now exceeds any pre-
incentive for other U.S. companies to
vious prediction and will at least dou-
create the energy-efficient products
ble before the elimination of chloro-
the world will demand.
fluorocarbon emissions reverses its
Is the U.S. prepared to compete in
course.
these new markets? Not if it remains
The current U.N. negotiations are
a backwater of energy inefficiency
aimed at limiting the buildup of green-
among industrialized nations.
house gases, primarily carbon dioxide
Negotiators are rushing to draft a
emitted during fossil fuel combustion,
climate treaty before the so-called
that are expected to cause significant
earth summit in Rio de Janeiro in
global warming. Almost all the major
June. If the American delegation would
industrialized nations have agreed to a
promote an ironclad timetable for re-
modest first step: restricting emis-
ducing emissions of carbon dioxide and
sions of carbon dioxide by year 2000 to
other warming gases now, a strong
levels no higher than those in 1990. The
treaty that cleans up the atmosphere
U.S. has offered nothing.
and stimulates new jobs and industries
is likely. A weak treaty, or no agree-
Michael Oppenheimer is senior scien-
ment, could lead to environmental hav-
tist at the Environmental Defense
OC. That could be inevitable if the Pres-
Fund.
ident doesn't act next week.
The global food supply is threatened by effects of
our lifestyle; the destruction of the ozone layer is
Houston Post 1/26/92
letting out too many damaging ultraviolet rays, global
warming leading to higher rainfall and a rising sea
level will cause blights and pest to move northward.
The list goes on.
Campaigning for
Gore does not leave us to squirm mercilessly with
no relief. He has, like any good politician, a plan. He
calls it a global Marshall Plan, after the original Mar-
shall Plan that saw the United States and Britain invest
the environment
in the rebuilding of Europe after World War II.
He envisions annual environmental summit meet-
ings, where wealthy and poor nations get together to
and the future
decide what they can do to stop the damage. He sees
Brazil offering to stop the leveling of the rain forests
while more developed countries reduce their green-
house emissions.
Quickly dismissing the idea of a world government,
Gore turns to the United Nations as a last resort. He
a
EARTH IN THE BALANCE:
envisions the possibility of a stewardship council simi-
Ecology and the Human Spirit
lar to the security council we hear from so much these
e
d
days. He sees rich countries volunteering to pay for
Houghton Mifflin. 407 pp. $22.95.
pollution control equipment for poor countries, only
this time it wouldn't be the United States doling out
the cash. He volunteers Japan, Europe and the oil-
By STEPHANIE GLASS
producing states.
OF THE HOUSTON POST STAFF
He outlines five strategic goals for this international
effort: stabilize the world's population; develop envi-
OST REMEMBER Al Gore, Democratic sena
ronmentally appropriate technologies; create a new
M
for from Tennessee, from his days as a
economic svstem that takes into account ecological
contender for the 1988 Democratic presi-
consequences: establish a set of agreements, regula-
dential nomination. I remember him stumping in the
tions and enforcement actions that everyone would
Rio Grande Valley, getting up with the sun to jog
adhere to; and educate the masses about the global
around Rio Grande City surrounded by Secret Service
environment.
men both on foot and on wheels.
Tt is hard to imagine such cooperation, especially
This year Gore may have passed up the race, but
when there are more than 100 wars around the globe
he's stumping for something else: the future of the
and more conflicts simmering. And it may seem
environment.
strange to get this environmental warning from a
Instead of rushing from tarmac to tarmac. he's tour-
member of the United States Senate — especially one
ing the country's book stores to bring the message of
not actively campaigning. But forget about the mes-
environmental devastation on a global scale and what
senger and just worry about the message. It is not to
he thinks should be done about it.
be taken lightly.
It was probably much easier to analyze America's
Glass writes about environmental Issues for The Post.
problems and suggest solutions. When it comes to the
environment, oh, if it only meant cleaning up the
United States. What Gore is trying to tell us in Earth in
the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit is this: It's
everybody's problem and everyone must work toward
a solution. Either we fix it together or we all lose.
Gore's book is full of frightening scenarios that
should be required reading. It's easy to cover our
lawns with chemicals and not think about where the
runoff will go after a rain. Or watch developers clear,
land for another subdivision without thinking what
species may have been displaced. It is not easy to
read a book like this; one is filled with a sense of
anxiety, dread. futility, of powerlessness over the
problems displayed on such a grand scale.
In chilling detail, Gore dishes up the world's envi-
ronmental problems, going back thousands of years to
trace patterns of destruction. For those who turn a)
deaf ear to the prospect of global warming, there is
ample evidence of suffering from past climate
changes.
In the spring of 1815, a large series of volcanic
eruptions shook Indonesia. Almost 100,000 people
were killed from the eruptions and subsequent starva-
tion and disease. A year later the effects were felt in
Europe when crops failed, crime swelled, beggars
clogged roads and governments fell to revolution. In)
From "Earth in the Balance"
New England, it snowed in the summer.
We may think we can forget about the rest of the
Sen. AI Gore of Tennessee has developed
world when it comes to putting food on our table. But
what he calls a global Marshall Plan for the
Gore's background as a farmer in Carthage, Tenn
environment.
aids him in conveying how inextricably linked our
capacity to produce crops is with the condition of the
rest of the world.
"Document Control"
TYPE:
PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9200819
ORIGINATOR: 02
STATUS I
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
SEGGERMAN, Anne: THE FOURTH WORLD FOUNDATION
TO:
PRESIDENT BUSH
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE: 02/26/92
SUBJECT: SHE URGES THE U.S. TO BE IN THE FOREFRONT OF
SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION DEVELOPING AND CREATING AN
ATMOSPHERE FREE FROM FLUOROCARBONS AND CARBON
DIOXIDE.
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED: ENVIRONMENT
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED: DIRECT REPLY PER PRES. CO ACTION: Draft for DAB SIG
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
03/20/92
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 03/31/92
COPIES TO: D. Allan Bromley
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS: DAB signed letter; In enviro files: UNCED; PRES
OSTP RECEIVED: 03/16/92
DEPT RECEIVED:
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 31, 1992
Dear Mrs. Seggerman:
On behalf of President Bush, thank you for your comments and suggestions
about global environmental issues.
The United States, under President Bush's leadership, is aggressively
pursuing international efforts to address problems related to climate change,
ozone depletion, forests, oceans, biological diversity, and technology
cooperation with developing countries. The Administration has put forward
specific proposals in various international fora to address each of these
questions. More important, the United States is already taking specific steps
here at home, through both legislation and administrative action, to begin
tackling these problems.
Specifically regarding climate change, you may be pleased to know that the
United States has already begun taking actions that will have the effect of
reducing net emissions of greenhouse gases. These include:
*
President Bush proposed and signed into law the 1990 Clean
Air Act, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the
utility sector through restrictions on utility air pollutants;
*
The Bush Administration has proposed, both through the
National Energy Strategy and through various regulatory
measures, to improve energy efficiency in power generation and
transmission, buildings, appliances, lighting, and
transportation, which will restrain related carbon dioxide
emissions;
*
The President has proposed, through his tree planting
initiatives, to increase the acreage and to improve the
management of forests, which act as greenhouse gas "sinks";
*
The President has proposed to expand the use of renewable and
low-emission fuel sources;
*
Since President Bush took office, he has doubled funding for
conservation research and development (R&D) and increased
funding for renewable R&D by 69 percent; and
OSTP:ENVIRO:NGM:MS:March 31, 1992:#9200819: PRESIDENTIAL
Page 2 - Mrs. Seggerman
*
The Administration has not only proposed, but the President
has signed into law, the phaseout of ozone-depleting
compounds that are also greenhouse gases.
Additionally, in February 1992, in response to new scientific evidence,
President Bush was the first head of state to commit his country unilaterally
to accelerating the date for the complete phaseout of the production of
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The President's action moves up the phaseout
date of CFCs, which deplete the Earth's ozone layer, to December 31, 1995.
Due to a number of previous Administration actions, U.S. production of
ozone-depleting substances is already more than 40 percent below levels
allowed by the internationally agreed Montreal Protocol. Under the new
schedule, the U.S. will eliminate production four years ahead of the current
international deadline, thus continuing the record of U.S. leadership in this
area extending back to the mid-1970s.
The United States supports a comprehensive approach, addressing all
greenhouse gases, not just carbon dioxide, and "sinks," such as forests.
Focusing exclusively on carbon dioxide emissions, as some have proposed, is
an inadequate response.
The United States has committed $25 million to assist developing countries
in planning to mitigate and/or adapt to climate change. The U.S. has
stepped up its own climate action plan, first outlined in February 1991,
including actions in such areas as energy efficiency, transportation, reduced
emission supply technologies, agriculture, natural resources, and technology
R&D. The United States has also committed $50 million to the core fund of
the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and $150 million in parallel financing
through the U.S. Agency for International Development. In addition to
addressing global climate change, the GEF also funds projects concerning
biodiversity, international waters, and ozone.
The U.S. Global Change Research Program is the world's largest such
program and thus provides much of the scientific foundation for international
agreements on climate change and ozone depletion. The Bush Administration
has invested $2.6 billion in global change research, far more than any other
country, with an additional $1.3 billion proposed for year 1993 -- over six
times the fiscal 1989 level. Research on the scientific and economic aspects
of global climate change will enable policy makers to make better judgments
about potential impacts and policy actions.
Page 3 - Mrs. Seggerman
Regarding the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
(UNCED), scheduled this June in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, President Bush is
committed to achieving international agreement on a framework convention
on climate change. In addition to a global agreement on climate change, the
Bush Administration also hopes UNCED will produce strategies and specific
initiatives to improve conservation of forests, oceans, and biological diversity,
and to increase technology cooperation with developing countries. You can
be sure that the United States will be well represented at the conference.
As we move forward into the 1990s, the United States will continue to address
global environmental challenges within a context of expanding economic
opportunities for all the world's people. The United States wants concrete,
practical results from UNCED -- results that will guide future action on the
full range of environmental and developmental issues.
Thank you for taking the time to express your interest on these environmental
issues with President Bush. You can be sure that the President will continue
working with other nations to obtain global solutions to these challenging
issues.
With the President's best wishes,
Sincerely yours,
The Домаи Assistant D. Allan to Bromley the President Premly
for
Science and Technology
Mrs. Anne Seggerman
The Fourth World Foundation, Inc.
5060 Congress Street
Fairfield, Connecticut 06430
OSTP STAFFING SHEET
SUBJECT:
UNCED and the President
ORIGINATOR:
Nancy Maynard and Matt Stader
PHONE X6202
DATE ORIGINATED: 3/31/92
DATE DUE 3/31/92
CORR TRACKING NO: 9200819
EXTERNAL COORDINATION:
COMMENTS
DATE
DIRECTOR
X
CHIEF OF STAFF
GENERAL COUNSEL
EXBC. ASST.
X
ACTION REQUESTED:
Damar: Please have Dr. Bromley sian this 3 page letter and
return to Signed letter to Kara for processing
COORDINATION
DATE
COMMENTS
Concur
Henderson. D.A.
Nonconcur
Concur
Phillips, W.
Nonconcur
Conour
Ratchford,
J.T.
Nonconcur
Concur
Wong, E
Nonconcur
maynard, NConcur
3/27
Input comments & Put in Final Form
Nonconcur
Concur
Nonconcur
Concur
Nonconour
Concur
Nonconcur
Concur
Nonconcur
Concur
Nonconcur
Concur
Nonconcur
Conour
Nonconcur
Concur
Nonconcur
THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE
REFERRAL
RECEIVED
MARCH 13, 1992 09
TO: OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
ATTN: NANCY MAYNARD
MAIL ROOM
ACTION REQUESTED:
DIRECT REPLY, FURNISH INFO COPY
DESCRIPTION OF INCOMING:
ID:
314310
MEDIA: LETTER, DATED FEBRUARY 26, 1992
TO:
PRESIDENT BUSH
FROM:
MRS. ANNE SEGGERMAN
THE FOURTH WORLD FOUNDATION, INC.
5060 CONGRESS STREET
FAIRFIELD CT 06430
SUBJECT: URGES THE U.S. TO BE IN THE FOREFRONT OF
SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION DEVELOPING AND CREATING
AN ATMOSPHERE FREE FROM FLUOROCARBONS AND
CARBON DIOXIDE
PROMPT ACTION IS ESSENTIAL -- IF REQUIRED ACTION HAS NOT BEEN
TAKEN WITHIN 9 WORKING DAYS OF RECEIPT, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE
UNDERSIGNED AT 456-7486.
RETURN CORRESPONDENCE, WORKSHEET AND COPY OF RESPONSE
(OR DRAFT) TO:
AGENCY LIAISON, ROOM 91, THE WHITE HOUSE, 20500
SALLY KELLEY
DIRECTOR OF AGENCY LIAISON
PRESIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE
ID# 314310
THE WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENCE TRACKING WORKSHEET
INCOMING
DATE RECEIVED: MARCH 11, 1992
NAME OF CORRESPONDENT: MRS. ANNE SEGGERMAN
SUBJECT: URGES THE U.S. TO BE IN THE FOREFRONT OF
SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION DEVELOPING AND CREATING
AN ATMOSPHERE FREE FROM FLUOROCARBONS AND
CARBON DIOXIDE
ACTION
DISPOSITION
ROUTE TO:
ACT
DATE
TYPE C COMPLETED
OFFICE/AGENCY
(STAFF NAME)
CODE YY/MM/DD
RESP
D
YY/MM/DD
RAR 9LD 13
OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLIC
ORG
92/03/11
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE: ATTN: NANCY MAYNARD
/ /
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
/ /
/ /
REFERRAL NOTE:
COMMENTS: INCOMING REC'D IN CORRESP. ANALYSIS THRU
PATTY PRESOCK AND SHIRLEY GREEN PER ATTACHED
NOTES
ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENTS:
MEDIA:L INDIVIDUAL CODES: 4800
MI MAIL
USER CODES: (A)
(B)
(C)
*ACTION CODES:
*DISPOSITION
*OUTGOING
*
*
*
*CORRESPONDENCE:
*
*A-APPROPRIATE ACTION
*A-ANSWERED
*TYPE RESP=INITIALS
*
*C-COMMENT/RECOM
*B-NON-SPEC-REFERRAL
*
OF SIGNER
*
*D-DRAFT RESPONSE
*C-COMPLETED
*
CODE = A
*
*F-FURNISH FACT SHEET
*S-SUSPENDED
*COMPLETED = DATE OF
*
*I-INFO COPY/NO ACT NEC*
*
OUTGOING *
*R-DIRECT REPLY W/COPY *
*
*
*S-FOR-SIGNATURE
*
*
*
*X-INTERIM REPLY
*
*
*
REFER QUESTIONS AND ROUTING UPDATES TO CENTRAL REFERENCE
(ROOM 75, ,OEOB) EXT-2590
KEEP THIS WORKSHEET ATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL INCOMING
LETTER AT ALL TIMES AND SEND COMPLETED RECORD TO RECORDS
MANAGEMENT.
Patty Presock
3/2
Phil:
POTUS has not seen.
P.
To
Lillie
THE WHITE HOUSE
CEQ
WASHINGTON
Date:
3/3/92
FOR:
SHIRLEY GREEN
FROM: PHILLIP BRADY
K
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Information
XXX
Action
Let's Discuss
record? Jan- friend? any
records (from VP days
too) attached, but Patty
says 2 responses were courtesy.
He does not know, but he sat next
to her at some lunch and said she
could write in care of Patty. fan
214310
Nanay
The Fourth World Foundation, Inc.
5060 Congress Street, Fairfield, Conn. 06430, Phone 203 255-4459
February 26, 1992
Dear Mr. President,
As we have had the opportunity in the past to correspond on
domestic policy, I hope to call your attention to another
2/22
pressing issue which was raised last Saturday in the New York
Times by Michael Oppenheimer: The Environment:
While many scholars applaud your action to hasten the elimination
of carbon dioxide and fluorocarbon emissions which are hazardous
to the ozone layer, it is apparent that there exists an even
greater opportunity. This opportunity is the creation of a crash
program for the research and development of alternative energy
sources. This program would place the United States at the
forefront of the resource movement. Here we can create a vision
utilizing our advantage of elite science and technology experts,
to lead the way in developing natural more environmentally
friendly energy sources. This domestic program would also
provide a unique opportunity to employ Soviet nuclear
intellectuals in projects that would benefit all of man kind.
As the goal of reversing 'global warming' gains momentum,
legislation for reductions in the production of both carbon
dioxide and fluorocarbons should be enacted. While some theories
state that 'global warming' may be partially caused by sun spots
and other environmental effects, this has yet to be proven.
Therefore at this time it is imperative that the United Stated
take a leadership position in `cooling' down the atmosphere.
Given that the world is organizing these standards, many of
which will be presented at the earth summit in Rio de Janeiro
this June, your position to phase out fluorocarbons ahead of
schedule should be followed to its fullest vision by
reallocating our resources and researching and creating
alternatives energy models, such as solar, wind and geothermal
energy.
In order to create and thrive in an atmosphere free from
fluorocarbons and carbon dioxide, the United States should be at
the forefront of scientific innovation developing such
alternatives and presenting them to the world. Such bold
initiative would reduce our dependence on outside nations for
oil and other fossil fuels and give the United States a corner on
the world market for such products. The climate agreement and
other such programs would effectively create a new industry and
give the United States an international economic comparative
advantage by reducing the cost of doing business. Both of these
beneifts would provide great long term benefits to the economy.
In summary at this critical junction in time the United States
has the opportunity to improved the environment while creating
long term structural benefits to the domestic economy. The
global warming negotiations taking place at the United Nations
could be a prominent opportunity to present these ideas.
Thank you for the opportunity to express my views.
Respectfully with warm personal regards,
ame Segzerman
032171CU
DOCUMENT=
1 OF
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PAGE =
1 OF
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OPID
DG
DOCDATE 890421
RECTYP
IBA
MEDIA
L
pres
STAFF
C. BOYDEN GRAY
CUGRAY
days
NAME
ANNE CRELLIN SEGGERMAN
STREET
5060 CONGRESS STREET
ADDR
FAIRFIELD
CT 06430
SUBJECT
LETTER THANKING BOYDEN GRAY FOR RECOMMENDING
HER TO THE COMMITTEE FOR HOUSING FOR
HANDICAPPED FAMILIES
SUBCODE
FG999
HS
HE001-06
INDCODE
4000
ACTION
CUOFC ORG 890428 C 890510
CUAT07 RSA 890501 C 890510
CUGRAY RSI 890501 C
COMMENTS NO RESPONSE NECESSARY - CLOSE OUT
I0607 * End of document.
104433
DOCUMENT=
3 OF
3
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2
OPID
CB
DOCDATE
891212
RECTYP
OBA
MEDIA
L
NAME
MRS. ANNE C. SEGGERMAN
PSAL
ANNE
ORG
THE FOURTH WORLD FOUNDATION, INC.
STREET
5060 CONGRESS STREET
ADDR
FARIFIELD
CT 06430
SUBJECT
THANKS FOR THAT THOUGHTFUL LETTER AND YOUR
INVITATION TO STOP BY YOUR HOME DURING OUR
UPCOMING VISIT TO ST. MARTIN -- BARBARA JOINS
ME IN SENDING OUR WARMEST BEST WISHES TO YOU
AND HARRY FOR A SPECIAL HOLIDAY SEASON
FILLED WITH MUCH HAPPINESS AND PEACE
SUBCODE
IV089
CO173
TR050
PP005-01 HO006
CO051
INDCODE
4690
ACTION
RM DSP 891213 CP2 A 891212
COMMENTS
REGRETTED BY PHONE TO ANNE SEGGERMAN -BRIDGET
SysAvl
Appl
496815VP
DOCUMENT=
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OPID
TM
DOCDATE
870708
SOURCE
IBA
MEDIA
L
PRECIP
GEORGE BUSH
VPBUSH
AUTHOR
ANNE CRELLIN SEGGERMAN
PSAL
ANNE
STREET
5060 CONGRESS STREET
ADDR
FAIRFIELD
CT 06430
SUBJECT
ENCLOSED REPORT AND PRESENTATION TO THE
PRESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE ON MENTAL RETARDATION
SUBCODE
RS
HE001-04
OTHCNTL
VP
ACTION
VPGRE1 ORG 870714 C 870728
VPBUSH RSI 870714 GB C 870810
I0607 * End of document.
557357VP
DOCUMENT=
6 OF
8
PAGE =
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OPID
TM
DOCDATE
880421SysAvl
Appl
SOURCE
IBA
MEDIA
L
PRECIP
GEORGE BUSH
VPBUSH
AUTHOR
ANNE CRELIN SEGGERMAN
PSAL
ANNE
STREET
5060 CONGRESS STREET
ADDR
FAIRFIELD
CT 06430
SUBJECT
PERSONAL
SUBCODE
AF
OTHCNTL
VP
ACTION
VPBUSH ORG 880425 GB A 880429
I0607 * End of document.
570885VP
DOCUMENT=
7 OF
8 PAGE =
1 OF
1
OPID
TM
DOCDATE
880511
SOURCE
IBA
MEDIA
L
PRECIP
GEORGESBHAH1
Appl
VPBUSH
AUTHOR
HARRY G. A. SEGGERMAN
STREET
5060 CONGRESS STREET
ADDR
FAIRFIELD
CT 06430
SUBJECT
COMMENTS ON PLANT CLOSING BILL
OTHCNTL
VP
ACTION
VPGRE1 ORG 880517 S 880531
VPBUSH RSI 880517 C 880517
I0607 * End of document.
DOCDATE
850723
SOURCE. IBA
MEDIA
L
vp days
PRECIP
GEORGE BUSH
VPBUSH
AUTHOR
MR. HARRY G. A. SEGGERMAN
STREET
5060 CONGRESS STREET
ADDR
FAIRFIELD
CT 06430
SUBJECT
COMMENTS MADE ON THE DAVID BRINKLEY SHOW
ON SUNDAY, JUL 21
INDCODE 4000
OTHCNTL
VP
ACTION
VPGREG ORG 850806 C 850820
VPBUSH RSI 850806 C 850806
COMMENTS
NOT RETURNED TO FILES
I0607 * End of document.
420848VP
DOCUMENT=
2 OF
8
PAGE =
1 OF
1
OPID
LC
DOCDATE
860728
SOURCE
IBA
SysAvl
Appl
MEDIA
L
PRECIP
GEORGE BUSH
VPBUSH
AUTHOR
MR. AND MRS. HARRY SEGGERMAN
STREET
5060 CONGRESS STREET
ADDR
FAIRFIELD
CT 06430
SUBJECT
INVITATION FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MRS.
BUSH TO ATTEND A RECEPTION IN HONOR OF DR.
THOMAS PATRICK MELADY AND ROBERT PRESTON
IN FAIRFIELD, CT ON 10 AUG 86
SUBCODE VI086
OTHCNTL
INVT860810
ACTION
VPHUTT ORG 860728 RGRT BY PHONE C 860804
VPBUSH RSI 860728 C 860728
VPROSE RSI 860728 C 860728
I0607 * End of document.
479351VP
DOCUMENT=
3 OF
8
PAGE =
1 OF
1
OPID
TM
DOCDATE
870509
SOURCE
IBA
MEDIA
L
PRECIP
GEORGE BUSH
VPBUSH
AUTHOR
ANNE C. SEGGERMAN
ORG
THE SHROUD OF TURIN EXHIBITION
COMMITTEE
STREET
5060 CONGRESS STREET
ADDR
FAIRFIELD
CT 06430
SUBJECT
INVITATION - THE SHROUD OF TURIN LUNCHEON AND
PRESENTATION WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 13, 87
SUBCODE
VI087
OTHCNTL
VP
ACTION
VPIRAS ORG 870512 HI A 870526
VPBUSH RSI 870512 C 870512
VPBATE RSI 870512 C 870512
I0607 * End of document.
"Document Control"
TYPE:
Presidential Priority
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201273
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
Steve Spriggs
TO:
President Bush
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE: 02/26/92
SUBJECT: He is urging the President to attend the Earth
Summit (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: Draft for DAB's signature
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 04/02/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS: See response on document #9201148
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 02/29/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
5.1
9201273
SC FUNDING CORPORATION
ISC SC FUNDING CORP
5 PARK PLAZA . SUITE 1150 IRVINE, CALIFORNIA . 92714
(714) 724-1442 . (800) 562-4404 FAX (714) 724-1341
February 26, 1992
President George Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
The Earth Charter is an idea that deserves your
support. I support the Earth Charter. As a grand-
father you should also.
Sincerely yours,
the Spees
Steve Spriggs
Please Call
STEVE SPRIGGS
PAGER # : (714) 637-7243 ACCESS CODE : 921342
"Document Control"
TYPE:
Presidential Priority
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201224
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
Louis S. Campbell
TO:
President Bush
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE: 02/25/92
SUBJECT: He is writing to urge the President to attend the
Earth Summit (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: Draft for DAB's signature
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 04/02/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS: See response on document number 9201148
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 02/27/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
UNcord
9201224
P.O. Box 7259
Corona-Elmhurst, N.Y. 11373
February 24, 1992
President George Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Bush:
This coming June of 1992, heads of state, government
ministers, and non-government officials will meet in Brazil
for a United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
(UNCED). The aim: to find ways to reconcile economic activities
with the need to protect the earth and ensure a sustainable
future.
For developing nations, the challenge is to break the
vicious circle of dependence on Western technology and indebtedness.
For industrialized nations, the task is to reorient patterns
of economic activity, to curb their outsize consumption of the
planet's natural resources and the enormous contamination that
results.
The Sierra Club has joined the Consortium for Action
to Protect the Earth (CAPE 92), an environmental coalition
to coordinate efforts on UNCED.
I respectfully unge you, Mr. President, to undertake
a conservation-oriented energy policy that will curb carbon
dioxide emissions by 20 percent from 1988 levels by the year
2000, to seek preservation of primary forests as the main goal
of a global forest agreement--and as a demonstration of United
States commitment, demand an immediate halt to logging of primary
and ancient forests in the United States, especially since,
as you know, trees absorb carbon dioxide.
I also urge expansion of existing international treaties,
such as the law of the Sea Convention, to reverse the decline
of marine ecosystems and to focus on land-based sources of ocean
pollution, and work for a strengthened United Nations for setting
environmental standards, monitoring, and assisting nations'
compliance.
Mr. President, our great and universally respected nation
has always been a leader among nations in "doing the right thing."
I sincerely and whole-heartedly believe that it is our country 1
obligation to take and maintain a leadership role in curbing
global warming and the destruction of tropical forests, in order
to avoid the otherwise certain destruction of the earth and
all its inhabitants.
Sincerely yours,
Louis S. Campbell
Runs S.Carpbell
Member, Sierra Club
"Document Control"
TYPE:
Presidential Priority
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201226
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
Sara Ebenreck, PhD
TO:
President Bush
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE: 02/25/92
SUBJECT: She is writing to urge the President to attend the
Earth Summit (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: Draft for DAB'S signature
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 04/02/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS: See response on document number 9201148
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 02/27/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
a N conference
SARA EBENRECK
3451 Sixes Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(301) 855-1064
9201226
February 25, 1992
President George Bush
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington DC
Dear President Bush:
This letter is to add my voice to many others urging that
you personally go to the June 1992 UN Conference on
Environment and Development in Brazil.
Global environmental and justice issues, ranging from
depletion of the ozone layer to trade agreements, are at the
heart of issues that we need to face as a nation. Your
appearance at that conference gives a highly important
symbolic support to the working of crafting agreements that
can help us assure planet Earth remains systainable for just
human habitation for the next century.
Sincerely,
Sara Ebenreck, PhD
"Document Control"
TYPE:
PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201147
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
GEBERT, ANDREW
TO:
PRESIDENT BUSH
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE: 02/25/92
SUBJECT: HE IS WRITING TO URGE THE PRESIDENT TO ATTEND THE
EARTH SUMMIT (UNCED) IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: DRAFT FOR DAB'S SIGNATURE
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 04/02/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS:
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 03/13/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
9201142
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 2, 1992
Dear Mr. Gebert:
On behalf of President Bush, thank you for your comments and suggestions
about global environmental issues and the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED). The President appreciates your
concerns and has asked that I respond to your letter of February 25, 1992
regarding these issues.
The United States, under President Bush's leadership, is aggressively
pursuing international efforts to address problems related to climate change,
ozone depletion, forests, oceans, biological diversity, and technology
cooperation with developing countries. The Administration has put forward
specific proposals in various international fora to address each of these
questions. More important, the United States is already taking specific steps
here at home, through both legislation and administrative action, to begin
tackling these problems.
Specifically regarding climate change, you may be pleased to know that the
United States has already begun taking actions that will have the effect of
reducing net emissions of greenhouse gases. These include:
*
President Bush proposed and signed into law the 1990 Clean
Air Act, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the
utility sector through restrictions on utility air pollutants;
*
The Bush Administration has proposed, both through the
National Energy Strategy and through various regulatory
measures, to improve energy efficiency in power generation and
transmission, buildings, appliances, lighting, and
transportation, which will restrain related carbon dioxide
emissions;
*
The President has proposed, through his tree planting
initiatives, to increase the acreage and to improve the
management of forests, which act as greenhouse gas "sinks";
*
The President has proposed to expand the use of renewable and
low-emission fuel sources;
Page 2 - - Mr. Gebert
*
Since President Bush took office, he has doubled funding for
conservation research and development (R&D) and increased
funding for renewable R&D by 69 percent; and
*
The Administration has not only proposed, but the President
has signed into law, the phaseout of ozone-depleting
compounds that are also greenhouse gases.
Additionally, in February 1992, in response to new scientific evidence,
President Bush was the first head of state to commit his country unilaterally
to accelerating the date for the complete phaseout of the production of
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The President's action moves up the phaseout
date of CFCs, which deplete the Earth's ozone layer, to December 31, 1995.
Due to a number of previous Administration actions, U.S. production of
ozone-depleting substances is already more than 40 percent below levels
allowed by the internationally agreed Montreal Protocol. Under the new
schedule, the U.S. will eliminate production four years ahead of the current
international deadline, thus continuing the record of U.S. leadership in this
area extending back to the mid-1970s.
The United States supports a comprehensive approach, addressing all
greenhouse gases, not just carbon dioxide, and "sinks," such as forests.
Focusing exclusively on carbon dioxide emissions, as some have proposed, is
an inadequate response.
The United States has committed $25 million to assist developing countries
in planning to mitigate and/or adapt to climate change. The U.S. has
stepped up its own climate action plan, first outlined in February 1991,
including actions in such areas as energy efficiency, transportation, reduced
emission supply technologies, agriculture, natural resources, and technology
R&D. The United States has also committed $50 million to the core fund of
the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and $150 million in parallel financing
through the U.S. Agency for International Development. In addition to
addressing global climate change, the GEF also funds projects concerning
biodiversity, international waters, and ozone.
The U.S. Global Change Research Program is the world's largest such
program and thus provides much of the scientific foundation for international
agreements on climate change and ozone depletion. The Bush Administration
has invested $2.6 billion in global change research, far more than any other
country, with an additional $1.3 billion proposed for year 1993 over six
times the fiscal 1989 level. Research on the scientific and economic aspects
Page 3 - - Mr. Gebert
of global climate change will enable policy makers to make better judgments
about potential impacts and policy actions.
Regarding the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
(UNCED), scheduled this June in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, President Bush is
committed to achieving international agreement on a framework convention
on climate change. In addition to a global agreement on climate change, the
Bush Administration also hopes UNCED will produce strategies and specific
initiatives to improve conservation of forests, oceans, and biological diversity,
and to increase technology cooperation with developing countries. You can
be sure that the United States will be well represented at the conference.
As we move forwardinto the 1990s, the United States will continue to address
global environmental challenges within a context of expanding economic
opportunities for all the world's people. The United States wants concrete,
practical results from UNCED - results that will guide future action on the
full range of environmental and developmental issues.
Thank you for taking the time to express your interest on these environmental
issues with President Bush. You can be sure that the President will continue
working with other nations to obtain global solutions to these challenging
issues.
With the President's best wishes,
Sincerely yours,
D.Anan Biamley
D. Allan Bromley
The Assistant to the President
for
Science and Technology
Mr. Andrew Gebert
4 Briarwood Lane
Woodstock, New York 12498
UNLED
ZIP A1COMPUS 6208013A001 (C1ENGLE4 - 0067) 2/25/92 17:23
20501
THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE
1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE. NW
WASHINGTON DC 20501
Re: Global Warming Treaty
Dear President George W. Bush :
It is imperative that the US reverse its stand on CO2 emmissions
in the current negotiations at the UN toward a framework treaty on
climate change. Even before new scientific evidence cast doubt on the
administration's claims that the US could fulfill its responsibility
in this matter simply by reducing CFC emissions, the potentional
consequences of global warming are too massive and dire to merit any
but the most serious and cautious approach. The threat of climate
cachange is one of equity - equity between generations, equity betwee
hemispheres. For it is the people who have enjoyed littled or none
of the benefits and conveniences of our squanderous energy policies
- the people of the Third World and the people of future generations
- who will be forced to deal with the consequences of those policies
We must act now - erring, if necessary, on the side of caution - t
e reduce what experts agree is the single greatest threat to the
human future.
Please follow up on your promise to be the "Environmental
President." At base, economic growth and environmental protection
are not incompatible. The upcoming UNCED conference in Brazil
will be a major step toward defining a new paradigm of economic
growth - sustainable development - and I urge you to attend as
a constructive participant. Finding this new paradigm will, more
than anything, require vision, a quality which the American
people have come to expect and appreciate in you.
Sincerely,
Andrew Gebert
4 Briarwood Lane
Woodstock NY
Woodstock, NY 12498
CompuServe Mail: 70413, 2053
"Document Control"
TYPE:
Presidential Priority
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201222
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
Sister Anne Greenslade
TO:
President Bush
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE:
SUBJECT: She is writing to urge the President to attend the
Earth Summit (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: Draft for DAB'S signature
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 04/02/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS: See response on document number 9201148
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 02/25/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
Earth Summit
LORETTO EARTH NETWORK
February 25, 1992
9201222
President George Bush
The White House
Washington, D.C., 20500
LORETTO EARTH NETWORK
South Platte Bioregion
Dear Mr. President:
3001 S. Federal Blvd.
Denver, CO 80236-2798
In your April, 1991 address to Congress on "Strategic
Principals" for future United States environmental
policies, you elaborated on the following principals:
1) Harnessing the Power of the Marketplace
LORETTO EARTH NETWORK
Mississippi River Bioregion
2) Stewardship of the Natural Resources
590 East Lockwood
3) Creative Partnerships
St. Louis, MO 63119-3279
4) Pollution prevention
5) Vigorous Law Enforcement
6) Cooperative International Solutions
President Bush, as the leader of the most powerful
nation on earth, I urge you to accept the invitation
of the General Assembly of the United Nations to
participate in the EARTH SUMMIT. Do let the world
know that you will attend the EARTH SUMMIT. I also
urge you to direct your Administration to give positive
leadership on the important issues that are under
consideration now in preparation for the EARTH SUMMIT.
Much of the world now sees the United States as
blocking agreements.
One major issue is global warming and energy use
related to it. Targets and timetables are needed.
Europe is serious about this. The developing nations
will not act unless they see the industrialized
countries willing to do so and/or help them to do SO.
LORETTO EARTH NETWORK
We should aim to reduce carbon dioxide emmissions from
Ohio River Bioregion
Loretto Motherhouse
1988 levels by 20% by the year 2000.
Nerinx, KY 40049-9999
Two other major specific areas which we can give needed
leadership are biodiversity and forest protection.
Binding agreements as soon as possible are important.
It should be unthinkable, on behalf of this and future
LORETTO EARTH NETWORK
generations, that we continue to lose species as we now
Rio Grande Bioregion
are. It is all kinds of forests, both ours and tropical
1300 Hardaway
El Paso, TX 79903-3198
forests, that need protection.
In conclusion, I ask you to support:
page 2
LORETTO EARTH NETWORK
1) An international convention with targets and
LORETTO EARTH NETWORK
timetables to reduce the threat of global climate
South Platte Bioregion
3001 S Federal Blvd.
change.
Denver, CO 80236-2798
2) Forest principles calling for programs to curb
global deforestation, protect substantial portions
of mature native forests, give indigenous forest-
dwellers legal control of their own territories,
LORETTO EARTH NETWORK
and provide incentives for sustainable management
Mississippi River Bioregion
590 East Lockwood
of production forests.
St Louis. MO 63119-3279
3) A global convention with action plans to preserve
the biological diversity of plant and animal species.
4) New global institutions and financing to protect
and restore the world's environment.
President Bush, your presence and your leadership are
essential, not only to the international negotiations
that are being considered now, but also at the EARTH
SUMMIT that will be held in Rio de Janeiro June 1-12.
I pray that you will respond to these major and critical
issues and ask that the Holy Spirit will guide and
direct you.
Very Sincerely,
Lister arre Greenslade, I.L.
LORETTO EARTH NETWORK
Ohio River Bioregion
Sister Anne Greenslade, S.L.
Loretto Motherhouse
Nerinx, KY 40049-9999
4000 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Littleton, CO 80123
LORETTO EARTH NETWORK
Rio Grande Bioregion
1300 Hardaway
El Paso, TX 79903-3198
"Document Control"
TYPE:
Presidential Priority
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201232
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
Philip Lessin
TO:
President Bush
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE: 02/25/92
SUBJECT: He is writing to urge the President to attend the
(UNCED) conference in Rio de Janeiro
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: Draft for DAB'S signature
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 04/02/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS: See response on document #9201148
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 02/27/29
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
9201232 Feb25, 1992
President George Bush
White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C 20500
Dear Mr prresident,
I Im writing to impress you with the
need tor you to support a strong climate
convention with specific timetables
for reduction of C02 emissions
Sincerely yours,
Philip Lessin
10401 GROSVENORPL#1410
ROCKVILLE, MD. 20852
P.Lessin
10401 GROSVENOR
Pa 1410
BEBAIL # P.M. MD MSC
29 USA
26FEB 30
ROCKVILLE, MD. 2023
1992
PRESIDENT BUSH
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.,N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20500
"Document Control"
TYPE:
Presidential Priority
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201217
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
Bruce E. Rittenhouse
TO:
President Bush
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE:
SUBJECT: He is writing to urge the President to attend
theEarth Summit (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: Draft for DAB'S signature
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 02/04/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS: See response on document number 9201148
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 02/25/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
10443 Red Granite Ter.
Oakton, VA 22124
February 25, 1992
President George Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Bush:
I strongly urge you to make an immediate public commitment to the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development (the "Earth Summit"). U.S. participation
in this process is needed now to catalyze an international consensus to address the
greatest threat our nation faces.
We are part of a process which is rapidly destroying the ability of our world to sustain
human agriculture, economic activity, and ultimately human society. Carbon dioxide and
other greenhouse gases are being added to the atmosphere at a rate which will change the
earth's climate faster than natural ecosystems can adapt. This has the potential to create
droughts, flooding, agricultural failures and mass extinctions. These, in turn, will lead to
famine, mass migrations, and conflict over food and water resources. Old growth northern
forests and tropical rain forests are being logged at a rate which destroys their other
economic benefits: storing carbon, generating oxygen, preserving rainfall patterns, slowing
water runoff, preventing erosion, preserving habitat for tens of thousands of species (many
of which have economic as well as intrinsic value), and creating recreational opportunities.
We still have the ability to slow the pace of global warming, to preserve the ecological
integrity of the remaining forests, and to prevent the extinction of thousands of species.
But you must act now, to bring proposals to address these issues to the final preparatory
meeting for the Earth Summit, beginning March 2.
The environment cannot wait until after this year's electoral process. U.S. intransigence
now will be used by other nations to justify another decade of unsustainable depletion of
the natural capital upon which our economic and social institutions are based.
I can think of no better forum than the Earth Summit for you to showcase the necessity of
your belief in international cooperation. We cannot afford the new isolationism of left or
right which would ignore the global concerns which will define our safety and our
livelihood in the years to come. This is a defining moment. Your actions now will help
determine whether your legacy is an inheritance of health and prosperity, or disease and
want. Please attend the Earth Summit and commit the U.S. to participating in global
conventions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, reduce air and water pollution, protect
species from extinction, and protect forests. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Brune Rittinhouse
Bruce E. Rittenhouse
"Document Control"
TYPE:
Presidential Priority
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201223
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
Francine Salom
TO:
President Bush
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE: 02/25/92
SUBJECT: She is writing to urge the President to attend the
Earth Summit (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: Draft for DAB's signature
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 04/02/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS: See response on document number 9201148
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 02/27/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
BREATEN OF BORRD RD
Board of Education
City of New York
UNCONP
CITY OF CITY OF NEW THE
Science Advisory Standing Committee
Francine Salom, Chairman
Standing Committee
South Shore High School
6565 Flatlands Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11236
22/01/23
531-4454 Ext. 24
February 25, 1992
President Bush
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Bush:
You call yourself the "environmental President. " Unfortunately,
your actions have done much to demonstrate your anti-environment
philosophy. We urge you to commit the United States to cutting
carbon dioxide emissions in the climate treaty negotiations and attend
the Earth Summit to provide the leadership needed to address critical
global environmental issues.
We are also very concerned with your destructive wetland policy
and are most anxious to learn what is being done to restore and protect
the wetlands. Redefining wetlands to serve special interests does not
and will not help but will only exacerbate the problems.
Keep in mind the words of Nobelist Dr. Richard Feynman. "For a
successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations
for Nature cannot be fooled. Obviously, politics is just the reverse.
Public relations takes precedence over reality. Nevertheless, the ozone
layer is being depleted; our natural resources are being needlessly
destroyed, never to be replaced. It is essential that personal biases
and misconceptions not endanger us all.
Your cooperation is vital. We would appreciate hearing from you
about this matter, and request a realistic, honest response and not
self-serving public relations.
Sincerely yours,
Francine Salom
"Document Control"
TYPE:
Presidential Priority
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201225
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
Arthur Strauss, M.D.
TO:
President Bush
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE: 02/25/92
SUBJECT: He is writing to urge the President to attend the
Earth Summit (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: Draft for DAB'S signature
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 04/02/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS: See response on document number 9201148
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 02/27/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
global warming
February 25, 1992
President George Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Bush:
I am writing you about a subject of great concern to millions of
people - global warming. This impending crisis needs to be
addressed immediately.
Long-term savings, according to a recent study "America's Energy
Choices," from a more energy-efficient economy and rapid
commercialization of renewable energy technologies, can be in the
trillions of dollars by the year 2030.
I am asking you to take a leadership role regarding the global
warming crisis, put politics aside and realize your promise of
being "the environmental President" by:
1) reverse the United State's position on global climate change
and join virtually every other industrial country in
committing to at least stabilize U.S. carbon dioxide emissions
at 1990 levels.
2)
attend the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro this June.
Sincerely,
9201225
ASPABSS
Arthur Strauss, M.D.
50 Sunlight
Irvine, CA 92715
AS: djc
CC: C. Riddiough
"Document Control"
TYPE:
Presidential Priority
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201218
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
Jodean Marks Mark Allen
TO:
President Bush
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE:
SUBJECT: They are urging the president to attend the Earth
Summit (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: Draft for DAB'S signature
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 02/04/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS: See response on document number 9201148
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 02/24/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
7201218
3815 W Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
February 18, 1992
President George Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. President:
We are writing out of our concern about the environment. A unique
opportunity presents itself for the United States, the world's
lone superpower, to provide leadership in the global effort to
protect the environment. The United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED), is coming up this June in
Brazil. We ask that you lead the United States delegation to
UNCED in order to show this country's commitment to sustainable
development in the context of environmental protection. An
agreement on global warming that binds the nations of the world
to a twenty percent cut in greenhouse emissions is an essential
first step to curbing huge and potentially disastrous shifts
in climate. The international scientific consensus is that global
warming is happening and the consequences could include disruption
of agriculture, flooding of all coastal cities, and massive
extinctions of plant and animal populations due to inability
to migrate as rapidly as climate zones shift. All of these
changes are likely to occur in the next 50 to 100 years. In
addition, the United States must agree to a ban on international
traffic in toxic wastes. Apparently, at present we are the only
nation opposed to such a ban. In sum, the United States must
join, and in fact should lead, the nations of the world in putting
the needs of humanity and the Earth above the needs of business
as usual. The recent announcement that the ozone layer is
thinning above major United States population centers should
also lend a sense of urgency to our role at UNCED. Please do
all you can to maximize the United States' constructive role
at UNCED.
Sincerely,
polean marks
Jodean Marks
MarhAller
Mark Allen
"Document Control"
TYPE:
PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201142
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
HALL, LEA
TO:
PRESIDENT BUSH
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE: 02/24/92
SUBJECT: SHE IS WRITING TO URGE THE PRESIDENT TO ATTEND THE
EARTH SUMMIT (UNCED) IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: DRAFT FOR DAB'S SIGANTURE
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 04/02/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS:
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 03/13/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
9261142
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 2, 1992
Dear Ms. Hall:
On behalf of President Bush, thank you for your comments and suggestions
about global environmental issues and the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED). The President appreciates your
concerns and has asked that I respond to your letter of February 24, 1992
regarding these issues.
The United States, under President Bush's leadership, is aggressively
pursuing international efforts to address problems related to climate change,
ozone depletion, forests, oceans, biological diversity, and technology
cooperation with developing countries. The Administration has put forward
specific proposals in various international fora to address each of these
questions. More important, the United States is already taking specific steps
here at home, through both legislation and administrative action, to begin
tackling these problems.
Specifically regarding climate change, you may be pleased to know that the
United States has already begun taking actions that will have the effect of
reducing net emissions of greenhouse gases. These include:
*
President Bush proposed and signed into law the 1990 Clean
Air Act, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the
utility sector through restrictions on utility air pollutants;
*
The Bush Administration has proposed, both through the
National Energy Strategy and through various regulatory
measures, to improve energy efficiency in power generation and
transmission, buildings, appliances, lighting, and
transportation, which will restrain related carbon dioxide
emissions;
*
The President has proposed, through his tree planting
initiatives, to increase the acreage and to improve the
management of forests, which act as greenhouse gas "sinks";
*
The President has proposed to expand the use of renewable and
low-emission fuel sources;
Page 2 - Ms. Hall
*
Since President Bush took office, he has doubled funding for
conservation research and development (R&D) and increased
funding for renewable R&D by 69 percent; and
*
The Administration has not only proposed, but the President
has signed into law, the phaseout of ozone-depleting
compounds that are also greenhouse gases.
Additionally, in February 1992, in response to new scientific evidence,
President Bush was the first head of state to commit his country unilaterally
to accelerating the date for the complete phaseout of the production of
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The President's action moves up the phaseout
date of CFCs, which deplete the Earth's ozone layer, to December 31, 1995.
Due to a number of previous Administration actions, U.S. production of
ozone-depleting substances is already more than 40 percent below levels
allowed by the internationally agreed Montreal Protocol. Under the new
schedule, the U.S. will eliminate production four years ahead of the current
international deadline, thus continuing the record of U.S. leadership in this
area extending back to the mid-1970s.
The United States supports a comprehensive approach, addressing all
greenhouse gases, not just carbon dioxide, and "sinks," such as forests.
Focusing exclusively on carbon dioxide emissions, as some have proposed, is
an inadequate response.
The United States has committed $25 million to assist developing countries
in planning to mitigate and/or adapt to climate change. The U.S. has
stepped up its own climate action plan, first outlined in February 1991,
including actions in such areas as energy efficiency, transportation, reduced
emission supply technologies, agriculture, natural resources, and technology
R&D. The United States has also committed $50 million to the core fund of
the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and $150 million in parallel financing
through the U.S. Agency for International Development. In addition to
addressing global climate change, the GEF also funds projects concerning
biodiversity, international waters, and ozone.
The U.S. Global Change Research Program is the world's largest such
program and thus provides much of the scientific foundation for international
agreements on climate change and ozone depletion. The Bush Administration
has invested $2.6 billion in global change research, far more than any other
country, with an additional $1.3 billion proposed for year 1993 over six
times the fiscal 1989 level. Research on the scientific and economic aspects
Page 3 - - Ms. Hall
of global climate change will enable policy makers to make better judgments
about potential impacts and policy actions.
Regarding the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
(UNCED), scheduled this June in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, President Bush is
committed to achieving international agreement on a framework convention
on climate change. In addition to a global agreement on climate change, the
Bush Administration also hopes UNCED will produce strategies and specific
initiatives to improve conservation of forests, oceans, and biological diversity,
and to increase technology cooperation with developing countries. You can
be sure that the United States will be well represented at the conference.
As we move forward into the 1990s, the United States will continue to address
global environmental challenges within a context of expanding economic
opportunities for all the world's people. The United States wants concrete,
practical results from UNCED - results that will guide future action on the
full range of environmental and developmental issues.
Thank you for taking the time to express your interest on these environmental
issues with President Bush. You can be sure that the President will continue
working with other nations to obtain global solutions to these challenging
issues.
With the President's best wishes,
Sincerely yours,
D.Anan Ramley
D. Allan Bromley
The Assistant to the President
for
Science and Technology
Ms. Lea Hall
5042 Queen Avenue, South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55410
UNCED
NATURE
REPAY OUR DEBT TO
"REPLANT RAINFOREST
February 24, 1992
President George Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20515
Dear President,
Ambassador Ryan visited Minneapolis/St. Paul this week and we
were glad of the opportunity to meet with him. We hold high hopes
for the outcomes of the Earth Summit.
I am a small business owner, and because I import wood products
from Central America, I am mindful every day of my dependence on
the forests of the world. For other businesses, the connection
between survival, profitability, and earth stewardship is less
apparent but real.
The time has come when not only environmental activists but also
the business community is recognizing the critical need for
international accords on forest management, water management,
greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting chemicals, and generally
sustainable use of all natural resources.
Your performance as environmental president has been widely and
rightly criticized. The Earth Summit presents a critically important
moment in history, and I urge you to apply your considerable
statesmanship to supporting its success. See to it that we come out
of it proudly, as global leaders in the fashioning of an Earth Charter
that no nation can afford to violate.
Sincerely,
Lea Hall
Lea Hall, President
TERRA TRADING
5042 Queen Ave., South
Minneapolis, MN 55410
(612) 925-3434
"Document Control"
TYPE:
Presidential Priority
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201316
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
L. Christian Hauck
TO:
President Bush
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE: 02/24/92
SUBJECT: He is writing to show his support for President
Bush's "No Regret's Policy" position.
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: Draft for DAB's signature
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 04/02/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS:
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 03/10/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
OSTPI maynard
9101316
SUNFLOWER ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION
P.O. Box 980
301 West 13th Street
Hays, Kansas 67601
913 - 628 - 2845
February 24, 1992
The Honorable George Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Sunflower Electric Power Corporation is a rural wholesale power supplier, created with the
assistance of the Rural Electrification Administration to fill the bulk electrical power needs
of the people of western Kansas. Our existence and viability is tied to the continued
operation of our Holcomb Station powerplant, a 325 MW coal-fired installation located in
the southwestern part of Kansas.
Millions of consumer dollars have been spent on the environmental protection features
incorporated into the Holcomb Station design; it complies with the strictest EPA standards,
and is fueled with low-sulfur Wyoming federal coal brought by rail over 700 miles for
conversion into electricity.
We see no threat more serious to our continued existence than a tax or penalty on coal or
its combustion, or a tax or cap on carbon dioxide emissions. We know that you are under
pressure to abandon your "no regrets" policy on this issue. Your policy is well-considered
and sensible, and we urge that it not be abandoned or modified.
We would also respectfully suggest that you not attend the United Nations conference in
Brazil this Spring. From the "science" that will be the basis for any actions taken with
respect to SO₂ at the UN conference, it appears that acceptance of global warming as a
fact, and a determination that CO₂ is the culprit is at once ill-advised and predetermined.
Sunflower's Board of Directors is very interested in this issue, and unanimously adopted
the resolution enclosed with this letter. We sincerely hope that our views are helpful to
you as this issue is approached.
Manch Very truly yours,
L. Christian Hauck
President and CEO
LCH:wpw
RESOLUTION
Of the Board of Directors of
Sunflower Electric Power Corporation
Unanimously Adopted on February 21, 1992
WHEREAS, current popular theories of catastrophic global warming are not
substantiated by scientific evidence and there is considerable scientific debate as to
whether or not any global warming is actually occurring; and
WHEREAS, the United States is being pressured to sign a treaty at the United
Nations Council for Environment and Development (UNCED) meeting in June which would
limit carbon dioxide (CO₂) production; and
WHEREAS, several proposals have been made in Congress to impose taxes on carbon
fuels or CO₂ emissions as a means of limiting such emissions; and
WHEREAS, such CO2 caps and taxes would substantially increase the cost of
electricity produced by Sunflower Electric Power Corporation and other electric utilities
relying on coal for their power supply, resulting in severe cost impacts on electric
consumers and ultimately damaging the economy of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Sunflower owns and operates Holcomb Station as the primary source of
electric energy for the 150,000 rural western Kansas consumers that own Sunflower
through Sunflower's member cooperatives; and
WHEREAS, Holcomb Station is one of the nation's few "superclean" coal-fired power
plants, constructed and operated under extremely stringent environmental restrictions which
already have imposed significant capital and operating cost penalties on Sunflower and its
consumers; and
WHEREAS, the use of domestic coal for the production of electricity is a benefit to
the economic security of the nation in that it replaces the use of imported oil in meeting the
nation's energy needs; and
WHEREAS, President Bush, in the face of mounting unjustified pressure, has
steadfastly held firm to a position that is known as the "no regrets" policy, which policy has
been strongly endorsed by our National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), in a
letter from NRECA's Executive Vice President to President George Bush; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of Sunflower
Electric Power Corporation, representing the interests of the 150,000 Americans served by
the Sunflower-associated systems:
1. Strongly commends President Bush for adhering to the "no regrets"
policy position as the most sensible approach to global climate issues
when the science is yet uncertain, and
2. Urges the formal addition of a "no-tax, no-cap" position on CO₂ to the
"no regrets" policy.
SUNFLOWER ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION
P.O. Box 980
301 West 13th Street
Hays, Kansas 67601
913 - 628-2845
February 24, 1992
The Honorable George Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Sunflower Electric Power Corporation is a rural wholesale power supplier, created with the
assistance of the Rural Electrification Administration to fill the bulk electrical power needs
of the people of western Kansas. Our existence and viability is tied to the continued
operation of our Holcomb Station powerplant, a 325 MW coal-fired installation located in
the southwestern part of Kansas.
Millions of consumer dollars have been spent on the environmental protection features
incorporated into the Holcomb Station design; it complies with the strictest EPA standards,
and is fueled with low-sulfur Wyoming federal coal brought by rail over 700 miles for
conversion into electricity.
We see no threat more serious to our continued existence than a tax or penalty on coal or
its combustion, or a tax or cap on carbon dioxide emissions. We know that you are under
pressure to abandon your "no regrets" policy on this issue. Your policy is well-considered
and sensible, and we urge that it not be abandoned or modified.
We would also respectfully suggest that you not attend the United Nations conference in
Brazil this Spring. From the "science" that will be the basis for any actions taken with
respect to SO₂ at the UN conference, it appears that acceptance of global warming as a
fact, and a determination that CO₂ is the culprit is at once ill-advised and predetermined.
Sunflower's Board of Directors is very interested in this issue, and unanimously adopted
the resolution enclosed with this letter. We sincerely hope that our views are helpful to
you as this issue is approached.
Very truly yours,
Mandh
L. Christian Hauck
President and CEO
LCH:wpw
RESOLUTION
Of the Board of Directors of
Sunflower Electric Power Corporation
Unanimously Adopted on February 21, 1992
WHEREAS, current popular theories of catastrophic global warming are not
substantiated by scientific evidence and there is considerable scientific debate as to
whether or not any global warming is actually occurring; and
WHEREAS, the United States is being pressured to sign a treaty at the United
Nations Council for Environment and Development (UNCED) meeting in June which would
limit carbon dioxide (CO₂) production; and
WHEREAS, several proposals have been made in Congress to impose taxes on carbon
fuels or CO₂ emissions as a means of limiting such emissions; and
WHEREAS, such CO₂ caps and taxes would substantially increase the cost of
electricity produced by Sunflower Electric Power Corporation and other electric utilities
relying on coal for their power supply, resulting in severe cost impacts on electric
consumers and ultimately damaging the economy of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Sunflower owns and operates Holcomb Station as the primary source of
electric energy for the 150,000 rural western Kansas consumers that own Sunflower
through Sunflower's member cooperatives; and
WHEREAS, Holcomb Station is one of the nation's few "superclean" coal-fired power
plants, constructed and operated under extremely stringent environmental restrictions which
already have imposed significant capital and operating cost penalties on Sunflower and its
consumers; and
WHEREAS, the use of domestic coal for the production of electricity is a benefit to
the economic security of the nation in that it replaces the use of imported oil in meeting the
nation's energy needs; and
WHEREAS, President Bush, in the face of mounting unjustified pressure, has
steadfastly held firm to a position that is known as the "no regrets" policy, which policy has
been strongly endorsed by our National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), in a
letter from NRECA's Executive Vice President to President George Bush; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of Sunflower
Electric Power Corporation, representing the interests of the 150,000 Americans served by
the Sunflower-associated systems:
1. Strongly commends President Bush for adhering to the "no regrets"
policy position as the most sensible approach to global climate issues
when the science is yet uncertain, and
2. Urges the formal addition of a "no-tax, no-cap" position on CO₂ to the
"no regrets" policy.
SUNFLOWER ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION
P.O. Box 980
301 West 13th Street
Hays, Kansas 67601
913 628 2845
February 24, 1992
The Honorable George Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Sunflower Electric Power Corporation is a rural wholesale power supplier, created with the
assistance of the Rural Electrification Administration to fill the bulk electrical power needs
of the people of western Kansas. Our existence and viability is tied to the continued
operation of our Holcomb Station powerplant, a 325 MW coal-fired installation located in
the southwestern part of Kansas.
Millions of consumer dollars have been spent on the environmental protection features
incorporated into the Holcomb Station design; it complies with the strictest EPA standards,
and is fueled with low-sulfur Wyoming federal coal brought by rail over 700 miles for
conversion into electricity.
We see no threat more serious to our continued existence than a tax or penalty on coal or
its combustion, or a tax or cap on carbon dioxide emissions. We know that you are under
pressure to abandon your "no regrets" policy on this issue. Your policy is well-considered
and sensible, and we urge that it not be abandoned or modified.
We would also respectfully suggest that you not attend the United Nations conference in
Brazil this Spring. From the "science" that will be the basis for any actions taken with
respect to SO₂ at the UN conference, it appears that acceptance of global warming as a
fact, and a determination that CO₂ is the culprit is at once ill-advised and predetermined.
Sunflower's Board of Directors is very interested in this issue, and unanimously adopted
the resolution enclosed with this letter. We sincerely hope that our views are helpful to
you as this issue is approached.
Very truly yours,
Wound
L. Christian Hauck
President and CEO
LCH:wpw
RESOLUTION
Of the Board of Directors of
Sunflower Electric Power Corporation
Unanimously Adopted on February 21, 1992
WHEREAS, current popular theories of catastrophic global warming are not
substantiated by scientific evidence and there is considerable scientific debate as to
whether or not any global warming is actually occurring; and
WHEREAS, the United States is being pressured to sign a treaty at the United
Nations Council for Environment and Development (UNCED) meeting in June which would
limit carbon dioxide (CO₂) production; and
WHEREAS, several proposals have been made in Congress to impose taxes on carbon
fuels or CO₂ emissions as a means of limiting such emissions; and
WHEREAS, such CO₂ caps and taxes would substantially increase the cost of
electricity produced by Sunflower Electric Power Corporation and other electric utilities
relying on coal for their power supply, resulting in severe cost impacts on electric
consumers and ultimately damaging the economy of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Sunflower owns and operates Holcomb Station as the primary source of
electric energy for the 150,000 rural western Kansas consumers that own Sunflower
through Sunflower's member cooperatives; and
WHEREAS, Holcomb Station is one of the nation's few "superclean" coal-fired power
plants, constructed and operated under extremely stringent environmental restrictions which
already have imposed significant capital and operating cost penalties on Sunflower and its
consumers; and
WHEREAS, the use of domestic coal for the production of electricity is a benefit to
the economic security of the nation in that it replaces the use of imported oil in meeting the
nation's energy needs; and
WHEREAS, President Bush, in the face of mounting unjustified pressure, has
steadfastly held firm to a position that is known as the "no regrets" policy, which policy has
been strongly endorsed by our National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), in a
letter from NRECA's Executive Vice President to President George Bush; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of Sunflower
Electric Power Corporation, representing the interests of the 150,000 Americans served by
the Sunflower-associated systems:
1. Strongly commends President Bush for adhering to the "no regrets"
policy position as the most sensible approach to global climate issues
when the science is yet uncertain, and
2. Urges the formal addition of a "no-tax, no-cap" position on CO₂ to the
"no regrets" policy.
April 8, 1992
Dear Mr. Hauck:
On behalf of President Bush, thank you for your very kind comments on US
activities related to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on
a framework convention on climate change. The President appreciates your
support and has asked that I respond to your letter of February 24, 1992
regarding this issue.
The President strongly believes that US policies in this area must be based
on the most solid scientific and economic information base available. As you
mentioned, the US Global Change Research Program is the world's largest
such program and thus provides much of the scientific foundation for
international agreements on climate change and ozone depletion. In fact, the
Bush Administration has invested $2.6 billion in global change research to
date, with an additional $1.3 billion proposed for fiscal 1993. Research on
the scientific and economic aspects of global climate change will enable policy
makers to make better judgements about potential impacts and policy
actions.
Thank you for taking the time to express your interest on this issue and we
appreciate your support.
With the President's best wishes,
Sincerely yours,
D. Allan Bromley
The Assistant to the President
for
Science and Technology
Mr. L. Christian Hauck
President, Sunflower Electric Power Corporation
P.O. Box 980, 301 West 13th Street
Hays, Kansas 67601
"Document Control"
TYPE:
Presidential Priority
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201220
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
Paul and Debbie Johansson
TO:
President Bush
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE:
SUBJECT: He is writing to urge the President to attend the
Earth Summit (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: Draft for DAB'S signature
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 04/02/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS: See response on document number 9201148
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 02/24/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
9201220
UNCOM
President George Bush
1600 Pensylvania Ave.
Washington DC 20500
Feb. 18/1992
Re: UNCED meeting.
Dear President Bush,
We are deeply concerned about Your Adninistrations
opposition to many of the suggestions proposed for the
UNCED meeting in Rio de Janeiro 6/1/1992. We urge you to
work with all other Countries toward finding solutions for
the many serious problems that face our Planet.
As you well know, our environmental problems are growing
more severe every day and solutions are available, it is
the political will that is missing. We believe you are not
supplying the leadership needed on this issue. We urge you
to change your mind.
Sincerely Yours
Paul and Debbie Johansson
595 Bluebird Canyon Dr.
Laguna Beach, Calif. 91651
"Document Control"
TYPE:
Presidential Priority
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201229
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
John B. Marks
TO:
President Bush
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE: 02/24/92
SUBJECT: He is writing to urge the President to attend the
(UNCED) conference in Rio de Janeiro
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: Draft for DAB's signature
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 04/02/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS: See response on document number 9201148
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 02/27/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITY
CENTRAL FILES:
9401229
0668 S.W. PALATINE HILL Road
PORTLAND, OR 97219
24 Fet 92
Dear the President:
tiators to press forward toward international
Congratulation on instructing our nego-
banning CFCs
Now. of the time to accompany and this
with new initiatives is on carbon choxide
methon lmissions which are causing the global
craiming The U.S. should but
world in this, hot hold it back
Respectfully,
John B. marks
EORTLA 24FEB 1992 I
PM
29
USA
Resident Denge Bush
The White House
Washing to DC20500
"Document Control"
TYPE:
Presidential Priority
DOCUMENT NUMBER: 9201221
ORIGINATOR: 05
STATUS
DIRECTORATE STATUS C
FROM:
Sharon Morkin
TO:
President Bush
DATE OF
CORRESPONDENCE:
SUBJECT: She is writing to urge the President to attend the
Earth Summit (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro
DIRECTORATE
STAFF
ASSIGNED:
ASSIGNED: Nancy Maynard
ACTION
STAFF
REQUIRED:
ACTION: Draft for DAB'S signature
SENDER'S DUE DATE:
OSTP DUE DATE:
STAFF DUE DATE
DATE COMPLETED:
DATE COMPLETED/DEPT: 04/02/92
COPIES TO:
WHITE HOUSE TRACKING #:
CONTACT PERSON:
PHONE:
EXT:
REMARKS: See response on document number 9201148
OSTP RECEIVED:
DEPT RECEIVED: 02/24/92
FILE: P-EOP-PRESIDENTIAL
CENTRAL FILES:
UNCOM
February 17, 1992
Presidents Day
President George Bush
White House
Washington, D.C.
Sharon Morkin
Oakland School
1605 East Oakland Avenue
920RL/
Bloomington, Illinois 61701
Dear President Bush,
My name is Sharon Morkin. I am a second grade teacher
at Oakland School in Bloomington, Illinois and have been
for more than twenty-six years. In 1990 I was selected as
one of the top ten elementary science teachers in the state
of Illinois. Last year I was one of three finalists in
Illinois for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in
Teaching Science. I work hard to develop in my young
students a sense of wonder, an appreciation and respect for
life, as well as, a responsibility for the care and
preservation of our fragile environment. These children are
the bright future of our country and need your support to
help ensure that future in a healthy environment.
Your administration must play a lead role in
encouraging environmental protection. The United States
needs to be a world leader in environmental protection. We
should be helping other industrialized and developing
nations move toward a clean and healthy environment.
President Bush, I strongly urge you to:
a) Support a global warming treaty to cut emissions of
carbon dioxide and other ozone-destroying gases;
b) Agree to a ban on the international trafficking of
toxic waste; and
c) Commit to attending the United Nations Conference
on Environment and Development (UNCED), taking place in Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil, from June 1-12, 1992.
This conference is a beginning of the end to acid rain,
global warming, rainforest destruction, ocean polution,
hunger and poverty. If all countries of the world would
unite with this common goal an environmentally sustainable
future would be there for my second grade students. It is
my opinion that this conference will be a failure without
the strong leadership of the United States.
As a Republican I supported you in the defeat of Communism.
Now I hope to support you in the defeat of the next biggest
threat to our world--the destruction of our global
environment. Please make environmental protection a high
priority.
Sincerely yours,
Sharon Morkin