CEMEX'S New Breakthrough Book Focuses on Movement to Preserve Wilderness and Biodiversity Areas - CEMEX'S New Breakthrough Book Focuses on Movement to Preserve Wilderness and Biodiversity Areas - CEMEX USA

Houston, Texas - December 18, 2006

Publication Emphasizes Ways to Curb Humanity's Impact on Nature

To mark the close of its first 100 years of business and to continue its commitment to environmental conservation, CEMEX, Inc. announced today the recent release of a ground-breaking new conservation book, "The Human Footprint: Challenges for Wilderness and Biodiversity." Produced in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society, Agrupación Sierra Madre, The WILD Foundation and The International League of Conservation Photographers, the book concludes that protecting large wilderness areas is crucial to the future of our planet and is an indispensable tool for preserving the world's biodiversity.

Through a series of astonishing photographs, maps and essays, "The Human Footprint," shows the collective impact that humanity's demands have had on the Earth's ecological resources. The book delivers a sobering message and warning that human beings are consuming too much of our planet, and polluting the rest. The damage has come to the point of threatening the lifelines on which a moderate climate, productive oceans, functioning ecosystems, and the circle of life depend.

"Our 100 year anniversary marks a milestone of producing an essential building material that has benefited man kind for centuries, a material that is organic in nature. But as we celebrate the past, we also look to the future," said Gilberto Perez, President of CEMEX USA. "With the release of our 14th consecutive conservation book, we are proud to continue focusing on the relationship between humans and our environment, the need for balance and harmony in our coexistence, and our commitment to promoting a sustainable future."

By using the best tools and technology available to conservationists today, the book showcases not only the severity of the problem, but also what can be done to improve it.

The CEMEX conservation book series is the result of a dynamic partnership with global conservation groups to identify and protect the world's most threatened and precious wild spaces. Since the inception of the conservation book program in 1993, CEMEX has donated these works to organizations like Conservation International, World Wildlife Fund and the World Conservation Union, supporting an array of conservation projects. In addition, more than 175,000 books have been donated to universities, research institutions, governments and libraries worldwide.

CEMEX is a growing global building solutions company that provides high quality products and reliable service to customers and communities in more than 50 countries throughout the world. Commemorating its 100th anniversary in 2006, the company has a rich history of improving the well-being of those it serves through its efforts to pursue innovative industry solutions and efficiency advancements and to promote a sustainable future. For more information, visit www.cemexusa.com.

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) saves wildlife and wild lands worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education, and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes toward nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth. For more information, visit www.wcs.org.

Agrupación Sierra Madre is a Mexican conservation organization, founded in 1989, that works to promote conservation initiatives that protect biodiversity and wilderness on the planet. Sierra Madre has published more than 20 titles in conjunction with conservation organizations worldwide such as Conservation International, IUCN, World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and Wildlife Conservation Society. For more information, visit www.sierramadre.com.mx.

The WILD Foundation is a US-based conservation organization that has worked internationally since 1974 on projects that protect and sustain wilderness and wildlife while addressing the needs of human communities. WILD also convenes the World Wilderness Congress since 1977, the world's longest running international conservation forum, achieving practical results for wilderness and wild lands in many countries. For more information, visit www.wild.org.

The International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP) mission is to further environmental and cultural conservation through photography. We work with leading scientists, policy makers, government leaders and conservation groups to produce the highest quality documentary images of the beauty and wonder of the natural world and the challenges facing it. Our members have a unique set of skills and years of field experience documenting delicate and complex environmental subjects as well as a commitment to conserve the landscapes, people and wildlife in the places where they work. For more information, visit www.ilcp.com.

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