Bush goes green for legacy's sake

US President George W. Bush has declared three uninhabited Pacific Island chains national monuments to protect them from oil and gas extraction and commercial fishing. This is undoubtedly a last gasp attempt by the soon to be former US president to clean up the legacy of his other war - the one against the environment.

But, truth be told, Bush's best contribution to protecting the environment for future generations will be leaving the office of the President of the United States. Under Bush, the US has opposed almost every significant international effort to use the world's natural resources in a sustainable way -most notably the Kyoto Accord, that aimed to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

US president-elect Barack Obama has said he will commit the US to a green agenda. If he succeeds, he will help remove the stain that Bush has left on the world.