December 6, 2010

• "Fresh Water: The Essence of Life" raises awareness on the paramount task of preserving freshwater sources and invites the world to action.

CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX), presented today "Fresh Water: The Essence of Life", a new, visually captivating book at COP 16 in Cancun, Mexico, which shows how Earth's freshwater supply and ecosystems are in rapid decline and require immediate action to better protect and manage one of the world's greatest natural assets. Freshwater ecosystems contain a greater concentration of life than anywhere else on Earth and are seriously imperil. Through the power of photography to focus the public eye on critical issues, "Fresh Water" showcases the biodiversity concentrated in one of the world's most important ecosystems.

"Fresh Water", the 18th edition in the CEMEX Conservation Book Series, aims to highlight that human subsistence directly depends on freshwater. Freshwater resources comprise only 2.5% of the total water on Earth and of that small portion, only 0.3% is easily accessible. Freshwater ecosystems provide us with an estimated $7 trillion a year worth of goods and services critical for us to survive and thrive, including water for drinking, waste removal/sanitation, transportation, and to generate 16% of our planet's electricity through hydropower.

The book provides a blueprint for initiatives which will better manage the growing global freshwater crisis. Most importantly, "Fresh Water: The Essence of Life" offers realistic solutions and actions to be implemented now. In order for us to reverse the current trends of freshwater ecosystem degradation we must better understand the number of freshwater species in the world, use fresh water more efficiently, and protect, manage and value freshwater ecosystems.

The book contains precise scientific analysis from some of the most knowledgeable freshwater biologists and scientists in their field, along with images from leading nature and conservation photographers from around the world. "Fresh Water: "The Essence of Life" aims to inspire forward looking policies, laws and institutions that will empower people to take action and allocate our remaining freshwater resources wisely. Any further loss of this essential and incredibly scarce resource will leave our environment, our livelihoods and our future in peril.

CEMEX is honored to publish this new book in partnership with Conservation International, Nature Serve, Wetlands International, Ramsar, the International League of Conservation Photographers with a compelling forward by Dr. Luc Hoffman, Vice President Emeritus, WWF International.

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Note to editors:

Fresh Water - the essence of life
ISBN - 978-0-9841686-2-0
Publication date: October, 2010
Suggested Retail Price: $58
More info: www.thewealthofnature.org

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CEMEX is a global building materials company that provides high-quality products and reliable service to customers and communities in more than 50 countries throughout the world. CEMEX 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.cemex.com.

Conservation International (CI): Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, CI empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature for the well-being of humanity. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., CI works in more than 40 countries on four continents. For more information, visit www.conservation.org.

Nature Serve: Nature Serve is a non-profit conservation organization whose mission is to provide the scientific basis for effective conservation action. Nature Serve and its network of natural heritage programs are the leading source for information about rare and endangered species and threatened ecosystems. For more information, visit www.natureserve.org.

Wetlands International: Wetlands International is a global organization that works to sustain and restore wetlands and their resources for people and biodiversity. They are an independent, not-for-profit, global organization, supported by government and NGO membership from around the world. For more information, visit www.wetlands.org

Ramsar: The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. It was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975, and it is the only global environmental treaty that deals with a particular ecosystem. The Convention's member countries cover all geographic regions of the planet. Conserving and providing water: wetlands at the heart of sustainable development. For more information, visit www.ramsar.org

International League of Conservation Photographers: ILCP's mission is to further environmental and cultural conservation through ethical photography. We believe that awe-inspiring photography is a powerful force for the environment, especially when paired with the collaboration of committed scientists, politicians, religious leaders and policy makers. We plan to replace environmental indifference with a new culture of stewardship and passion for our beautiful planet. For more information, visit www.ilcp.com

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