PROTECTING THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT

” Our natural security must be seen as part of our national security.”

President Clinton
Earth Day, April 21, 1995
Havre de Grace, Maryland

“Our actions today will have far-reaching implications for the environment we leave to future generations. We must accept and understand the profound changes in the nature of the relationship between human civilization and the ecological system of the Earth.”

Vice President Gore
The George Washington University, March 17, 1995

President Clinton and Vice President Gore are putting global environmental issues where they belong -- in the mainstream of American foreign policy. The state of the global environment profoundly affects our national interest principally in two ways. First, problems such as climate change, toxic pollution and ocean dumping transcend borders and threaten the health, quality of life and jobs of American citizens. Second, shortages and degradation of key resources, such as fresh water and fertile soils, can threaten stability in key regions.

A RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENT:

• Led the world in calling for a global ban on ocean dumping of low-level radioactive waste at the London Convention in 1993. The United States was the first nuclear power to advocate the ban, and successfully convinced the rest of the world to follow our lead.

• Convinced the world to develop a legally-binding treaty to phase out some of the most dangerous "persistent organic pollutants," such as DDT and PCBs. These chemicals degrade very slowly and can be transported over vast distances.

• Adopted a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000. President Clinton's Climate Change Action Plan relies largely on voluntary and profitable partnerships with business to cut emissions. Although the Congress has been unwilling to fund these programs adequately, the Administration remains committed and is fighting back.

• Under the Framework Convention on Climate Change, negotiating with countries from around the world on next steps for the post-2000 period. Climate change threatens the United States' economic prospects, ecological systems and quality of life. Scientists say that, if current trends persist, climate change will gradually inundate coastal areas with rising sea levels, change precipitation patterns and accelerate the spread of infectious disease.

• Helped forge a historic consensus at the 1994 Cairo Conference for a global program to empower women and slow population growth. During his first week in office, President Clinton reversed the Reagan/Bush Administrations' "Mexico City policy" of withholding foreign assistance funding from non-governmental organizations that provide information on family planning.

• Worked hard to secure a legally binding August, 1995 international treaty to protect migratory fish stocks. Over-fishing of the world's oceans has put thousands of Americans out of work and depleted a major source of protein for people around the world.

• Worked to prevent scarce water resources from becoming a source of conflict in the Middle East. Promoted environmental programs in Africa to save lives, avoid armed conflict and avoid the need for international intervention. Around the world, US embassies are working to improve the way we use our diplomatic resources to advance our environmental objectives.

• In Russia, Vice President Gore and Prime Minister Chernomyrdin are coordinating initiatives to protect the environmental resources that can form the basis for Russian economic reform.

Statistical Backup:

• Administration has commitments from 800 utilities to reduce emissions that cause global warming by 23 million metric tons and save $15 billion in energy costs.

• It took more than 10,000 years to reach a world population of just over two billion. In 50 years it has nearly tripled to more than 5 billion, and is likely to reach 9 or 10 in another 50 years.

• Working with other countries, isolated more than 12 million square miles off the coast of Antarctica for the creation of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary.

Many challenges lie ahead. The Clinton Administration will:

• Seek agreement under the Framework Convention on Climate Change on further cuts in greenhouse gas emissions

• Help develop a legally-binding treaty to control persistent organic pollutants;

• Work to implement international oceans agreements and seek ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty;

• Host a major international conference on strategies to improve compliance with international environmental agreements;

• Fully integrate environmental objectives into our diplomacy; and

• Work in countless other areas to help protect our natural heritage for ourselves and future generations.

Last Update: April 19, 1996