He criticized the new rules to protect the roadless areas of the national forests from roads and development. And he hinted that a George W. Bush Administration would reconsider the designation of new national monuments. Now that he is President, George W. Bush can convert this campaign rhetoric into concrete policies - and he has shown that he intends to do so. Many of us who care deeply about the health of our world and the quality of our lives and the environment are very concerned indeed. It all demonstrates in stark terms how important it is who we elect to the highest office as that individual wields great power and influence over a number of policies including the environment.
Presidents have a variety of tools at their disposal to affect environmental policies.
These tools include the creation of rules and regulations, the issuance of executive orders, the appointment of cabinet officials and thousands of other federal governmental positions, appointments to judicial vacancies, the development and negotiation of international treaties and disputes, the positions taken on federal lawsuits and efforts to settle these suits, and the creation of national monuments. Presidential power in each of these areas is broad. But by and large, the powers provided to presidents by these tools are significant. President Bush has shown that he will not hesitate to use the powers granted to him under these tools on environmental matters. He has used his powers as chief negotiator for international treaties and conventions to unilaterally withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement to reduce the production of gases that contribute to global warming and global climate change.