[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
[April 22, 2000]
[Pages 759-760]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



The President's Radio Address
April 22, 2000

    Good morning, and happy Earth Day. I've always thought it 
appropriate that Earth Day falls in this season of renewal and hope, as 
millions of Americans celebrate Easter and Passover. As we celebrate the 
first Earth Day of the 21st century, I want to challenge all of us to 
renew our commitment to protect and preserve God's precious gift to us, 
our earthly home.
    Last weekend in California I stood beneath a magnificent sequoia 
tree, more than 1,000 years old, to announce permanent protection for 
more than 30 giant sequoia groves. And I was grateful for every 
opportunity the Vice President and I have had to act as stewards of our 
environment over the last 7 years.
    All Americans can be proud of the tremendous progress we've made 
since the first Earth Day 30 years ago. Our air, water, and land are 
cleaner, and we've protected millions of acres of America's green 
places. But today I want to focus on the most critical environmental 
challenge we face in this new century, global warming.
    The 1990's were the hottest decade on record, and the first 3 months 
of 2000 were the hottest here in 100 years. Scientists say that the 
temperature rise is at least partly due to human activity, and that if 
left unchecked, climate change will result in more violent storms, more 
economic disruptions, and more permanent flooding of coastal areas.
    If we value our coastlines, our farm lands, and our vital 
biodiversity, we must build a national consensus to reduce our emissions 
of greenhouse gases and to help others around the world do the same. Our 
Government must lead by example.
    Today I'm announcing two Federal initiatives that point the way to a 
cleaner environment and a stronger economy. First, I'm issuing an 
Executive order requiring that Federal agencies reduce the amount of 
petroleum their vehicle fleets use by 20 percent in 5 years. We can do 
this with technology we already have. For example, the Postal Service 
has purchased 500 electric trucks and may purchase more than 5,000. Here 
in Washington, DC, 2,600 Federal and local government vehicles are 
running on clean natural gas or ethanol. Next month we'll open the first 
of seven gas stations offering those fuels here, and I'll order every 
White House vehicle that can use these fuels to make the switch. This 
Executive order will cut oil consumption by 45 million gallons a year, 
help stop global warming, and ease pressure on gas prices.
    Second, I'm also announcing new incentives to cut pollution and 
greenhouse gases while we help Federal workers across the country reduce 
the growing hassle of commuting. All Federal workers now will be able to 
set aside up to $65 tax-free every month to pay for public 
transportation. And in the Washington area, every Federal agency will 
actually fund some or all of its employees' public transportation costs.
    It is clear citizens and businesses across America are building 
support for a strong response to global warming. But one voice is still 
missing, the United States Congress. While the science on climate change 
has grown stronger and the need for American leadership has grown 
greater, some in Congress have buried their heads even deeper in the 
sand. I urge them to recognize that reversing global warming will 
strengthen our economy while safeguarding our future.
    In the next 20 years, the international energy market will reach $5 
trillion, and consumers everywhere increasingly will demand clean 
energy. We're the world leader in those technologies. We should be 
promoting them, not denying their need. Instead, for the past 7 years, 
Congress has blocked our initiatives to fight climate change and cut 
America's fuel bills.

[[Page 760]]

    I'm deeply disappointed the Republican budget resolution just 
adopted fails again to support America's environmental priorities. And 
again I call on Congress to reverse its opposition and work with us to 
pass my $4-billion package of tax credits for energy-efficient homes, 
cars, and appliances, to invest in clean energy research, and to help us 
promote clean technology in developing countries. Congress should also 
end its opposition and help us improve the fuel economy of all our cars 
and trucks so Americans can have the vehicles they want with the 
efficiency they deserve.
    More than 100 years ago, the great American poet Henry Wadsworth 
Longfellow reminded us that ``nature is a revelation of God.'' This 
Earth Day, let us remember that we are only stewards, in our time, of 
the Earth God gave us for all time. And let us strengthen our resolve to 
preserve the beauty and the natural bounty that sustains us and must 
sustain generations yet to come.
    Happy holidays, and thanks for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 5:12 p.m. on April 21 in the East Room 
at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on April 22. The 
transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
April 21 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The 
Executive orders of April 21 on leadership in environmental management, 
Federal fleet and transportation efficiency, and Federal workforce 
transportation are listed in Appendix D at the end of this volume.