Bush's Environmental Legacy

Eight years of Bush’s environmental actions—the good, the bad, and the ugly 5

Grist came of age over the past eight years, so it seems only fitting to compile George W. Bush’s environmental legacy in one place. From abandoning Kyoto to censoring climate science, all the bad (and, wherever we could find it, the good) is here.

Bush Cheney timeline

Note: This timeline is based on Grist’s extensive coverage of the Bush years. But if you think we missed something, tell us below in comments.

Interactive design by Alyson Hurt

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  1. Peter B. Meyer Posted 7:19 am
    19 Jan 2009

    CO2 Emissions Post 5/2/2007Twenty months of inaction, capped by the announcement from EPA Head Johnson that the agency had formally decided not to bother to do what the Suprement Court told them to do about regulating CO2 emissions ... and no criminal or civil actions are pending.
  2. tmullins Posted 6:44 am
    20 Jan 2009

    The Bush Legacy will last for thousands of years ihttp://www.wisecountyissues.com  We just can't stand anymore of the progress and prosperity in Wise County, Virginia.  ( especially Pound and Appalachia )
  3. kstitt Posted 10:35 pm
    20 Jan 2009

    EIR no longer required by govt agenciesThe executive order allowing govt officials to proceed on projects without EIR due process again demonstrates disregard for science and the environment over politecal agendas. I hope those officials will be held personally liable for negligence in their decisions.  The practice of government censoring science will be a lasting legacy for Bush.    
  4. Backcut Posted 8:37 am
    21 Jan 2009

    Healthy ForestsAnother short visit to squelch the folks who are currently rewriting history about the Forest Service during the Bush years.
    Please remember that the Democrats rewrote much of the language within Healthy Forests, otherwise they weren't going to vote for it. The resulting vote was nearly unanimous in bi-partisanship. The act wasn't hardly even funded and was allowed to die without even a whimper for either side. It was litigated to death, as well. In the end, Bush went from "Healthy Forests" to "Deathly Forests" with a policy of "free range fire" supported by all sides except for enlightened foresters like me.
    As of now, I am still seperated from the Forest Service and have washed my hands of this massive disaster that Obama has inherited. I have no doubt that he will ignore 50 mllion dead bug trees, incinerated old growth and sickly, overgrown forests. It's too bad that the future of our forests are being mangled by all sides but, this IS what America wants.
    I will choose to live my (remaining) life the way I want because ALL Americans aren't willing to do what it takes to restore our environment.
    Why should I adjust my small carbon footprint when Gristers won't adjust their flawed ideology regarding forests?
    Too bad, soooooo sad. 8^(
  5. MaggieHenry Posted 4:54 am
    22 Jan 2009

    Clean Air ActHe rescinded the Clean Air Act the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the year escapes me right now.

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Series Intro
Eight years of Bush's environmental actions -- the good, the bad, and the ugly 5
Eight years of Bush inaction leave Obama with a near-impossible challenge 4
Few Americans are ever likely to see George W. Bush's greatest environmental legacy 7
The Bush Team as characters from everybody's favorite cartoon show 0
Grist looks back at the WTF moments of the George W. Bush years 3
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