Federal Court Says Bush Administration Is Violating Federal Law (Optional)

51. Are you aware that a 1990 federal law requires the government to produce a scientific report every four years on climate change and its effects on the environment. (Bob Egelko, "Judge: Warming report is overdue," San Francisco Chronicle, August 22, 2007, p. A12.)
52. The Bush administration has failed to produce the mandated climate change reports, drawing a stern rebuke from Federal District Judge Saundra Brown that the Bush administration has "unlawfully withheld action they are required to take." (Ibid.)
53. Do you think the President should comply with federal laws?

Negative Global Opinion About Us (Optional)

54. Are you aware that in a recent sampling of world opinion in which 45,000 people were surveyed in 46 countries, the Pew Research Center found that pollution and environmental concerns are increasingly seen as the leading threat the world faces. (Susan Page, "Many in global poll see pollution as biggest threat," USA Today, June 28, 2007, p. 10A.)
55. In world opinion, the U.S. is given much of the responsibility for these problems, as well as the responsibility to respond to them. (Ibid.)
56. Do you think this is fair?
57. The poll found that in the U.S., pollution was ranked lower as a concern than in any other industrialized nation. (Ibid.)
58. Why do you think this is the case?
59. Do you think the U.S. should be providing more moral leadership in preserving our planet for our children and those of future generations?

What Individual States Are Doing

60. Did you know that California is not waiting for the Federal Government to act? On September 27, 2006, California took the nation's lead in passing legislation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. (September 27, 2006 Press Release, "Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Landmark Legislation to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emission," California Climate Change Portal, at www. climatechange.ca.gov.)
61. As of April 2007, 11 states are following California's lead in not waiting for the Federal Government to act, and are enacting state laws to combat global warming. These states are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Maryland. (April 24, 2007 News Release, Environmental Defense, at www.environmentaldefense. org/pressrelease.)
62. Also, 11 states are suing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the weak gas mileage standards-these 11 states are California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont. (Marcus Wohlsen, Associated Press, "Court hears arguments in suit over federal gas mileage rules," Palo Alto Daily News, May 15, 2007, p. 6.)