Take the Pledge: Join Campaign to Defend America's Environment
As the nation prepares to observe Earth Day on Sunday, Defenders of Wildlife launched the Campaign to Defend America's Environment with a coalition of America's leading environmental and public-interest organizations -- including the Natural Resources Defense Council, the League of Conservation Voters, U.S. Public Interest Research Group, the Earth Communications Office, Earth Day Network, and Environmental Media Association.
As part of the campaign’s kickoff, children from schools nationwide traveled to New York City to appear on NBC’s "Today" show and at the Earth School to read letters from classmates to President Bush asking him to protect the environment. Celebrities attending the event included Henry Winkler, John Ritter, Amy Smart, Al Franken, Blythe Danner, Billy Baldwin and others.
Schlickeisen said the campaign’s goal is for millions of Americans to join together to defend against the special interests and hold elected officials and policy makers accountable for their actions as stewards of the environment for future generations.
Concerned citizens can join the campaign by going to the Web site, and taking the pledge to help protect the environment.
"The Campaign to Defend America's Environment is a national effort started by concerned citizens who are seriously alarmed and outraged by the unprecedented effort to roll back our environmental protection laws," Schlickeisen said. "Frankly, it scares us to death to think that it might still be possible in this country for a minority of wealthy special interests to use their access to our highest elected officials to turn the clock back on 30 years of environmental progress.
"We will not let that happen. We owe it to today's children and to future generations to protect America’s environment," he continued.
"We know there are millions of people across the country who feel likewise, and this new campaign is designed to help them raise their collective voices above those of the special interests' Washington lobbyists. For those who care about protecting the environment, all they have to do is visit the campaign's Web site at and take the pledge to help. We'll let them know how they can make their voices heard in Washington."
Contact(s):
Cat Lazaroff, (202) 772-3270