Bush, George W. Administration

While it is far too early to judge the legacy of a sitting president, many have called George W. Bush the weakest environmental president in history; even Republicans have criticized President Bush for his environmental record. In addition, much of the public does not support Bush's environmental initiatives. A USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll taken in 2004 found those who disapprove of Bush's environmental record had risen to 45 percent. Another 2004 poll found 65 percent of Americans did not believe the Bush administration would make environmental progress in the next term.

In keeping with the governing philosophy of the administration, several controversial policies of the administration have sought to reconcile environmental protection with issues of economic growth. Specifically, the Bush administration has pushed to open the Arctic ...