wfn.org | PB's letter to President Bush about Earth Day 2001

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2001-88

April 20, 2001

The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C 20500

     Dear Mr. President:

     Greetings and God's blessings to you and your family in this holy Easter Season.  
It is a pleasure to have an opportunity to write to you on the eve of Earth Day 2001.  
Since 1970, Americans and people around the globe have marked Earth Day as a moment to 
celebrate creation  and more importantly recognize our responsibility for it.  The 
Episcopal Church in congregations across the country and, indeed, throughout the 
worldwide Anglican Communion, as well as many other peoples of faith, will mark Earth 
Day on April 22, 2001.  The Church commends to you the moral obligation we all have to 
be wise and responsible stewards.

     I write to you with great concern regarding several recent environmental policies 
your administration has announced. Specifically, The Episcopal Church strongly supports 
world-wide efforts to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide, and is distressed that 
you have abandoned the 1997 Kyoto treaty on global warming.  While I recognize 
political and economic complexities involved in the treaty, I nonetheless strongly urge 
you to reconsider your administration's position on this important and widely supported 
international agreement.

     I also wish to restate the Church's long held position in opposing the opening of 
the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska for oil development.  The Church 
celebrates the relationship it has with the Gwich'in native people, most of whom are 
Episcopalian and have been since Anglican and subsequently Episcopal missionaries 
shared the Gospel more than 100 years ago.

     Finally, I would urge you to implement the Roadless Area Conservation Policy 
immediately.  The preservation and protection of important forest ecosystems is 
critical to guaranteeing our children the blessings of creation tomorrow that we so 
richly enjoy today.

     Please be assured of our prayers as you continue your important stewardship of our 
government.

Sincerely,

Frank T. Griswold
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church