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Eight years of Bush administration produced a shameful environmental legacy that Barack Obama vowed to reverse once he was elected. Good as his word, President Obama started the reversal immediately upon taking office -- but he’s got a long way to go. In this chart of progress, Earthjustice will regularly report on how effective we think the president is at turning back the toxic Bush tide.

THE LINGERING INFLUENCE OF BUSH:    How Well Is Obama Undoing the Mess?
Issue Bush Obama Obama's Grade
Greenhouse Gases
 Ignored a 2007 Supreme Court ruling requiring EPA to regulate greenhouse gases contributing to global warming. April 2009, EPA announced carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases are pollutants that endanger public health and will be regulated. B+ Acknowledgement is good but still awaiting action.
Roadless Areas
 Attempted to undo Clinton ban on roadbuilding in roadless areas of the national forests. Ordered one-year time-out on roadless logging, then approved roadless timber sale in Alaska. Praised pro-roadless ruling in California and appealed anti-roadless ruling in Wyoming. B+ Alaska is the big outstanding challenge.
Marbled Murrelet
 Tried to remove endangered species protection from the marbled murrelet to increase old-growth logging. Withdrew pending Bush administration efforts to strip legal protection from the threatened bird. A Protecting murrelet habitat aids salmon and owl recovery efforts.
Mountaintop Mining
 Approved illegal decapitation of Appalachian mountains for coal mining and disposal of rubble in streams; eventually repealed a rule that nominally protects streams. Rescinded the repeal, then approved permits for 42 new mountaintop removal projects, then put the brakes on 78 pending permits. There is still some chance for mischief, but looking better every day. / Incomplete. Public pronouncements sounding better but the coal lobby is very strong.
Wolves
 Repeatedly attempted to remove northern Rocky Mountain wolves from the endangered species list. Upheld Bush effort to remove legal protection for wolves in Montana and Idaho. F Wolf hunts opened in Idaho and Montana in September.
Hazardous Waste
 Did not act to stop polluting industries to skip costly cleanups by declaring bankruptcy and passing bill to taxpayers. EPA moved to close loophole, targeting hardrock mining industry by requiring bonds to cover cost of toxic cleanups before construction begins. B+ Could do more to set a deadline for issuance of these new regulations.
Scientific Consulation
 Put forward new regulations to end independent federal scientists’ review of proposed projects and instead let agencies "self-consult." Revoked Bush administration's proposed regulations and restored science to the Endangered Species Act. A The decision reinstates legitimate scientific consultation to environmental policies.
Snowmobiles
 Repeatedly attempted to increase the number of snowmobiles allowed in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Drastically cut number of snowmobiles allowed in Yellowstone National Park and required cleanest running machines available. B+ Plan expires in two years. Final plan will hopefully further reduce snowmobiles.
California & Climate
 Ignored then rejected request by California and other states to clamp down on vehicle emission pollution to combat global warming. Obama's new Environmental Protection Agency administrator granted the request in June 2009. A So far, so good, but other initiatives using Endangered Species Act to regulate climate have been rejected.