Mexico taking a lead role in global warming fight

MEXICO CITY — As it does with other developing nations, the Kyoto Protocol leaves Mexico off the hook to curb greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

But Mexican leaders are starting to concede that they can no longer overlook that their nation contributes to the causes and suffers the pain of climate change.


The belching factories and sea of auto traffic generate carbon emissions visible in the brown haze blanketing Mexico City. Meanwhile, officials worry that warmer temperatures have left Mexico vulnerable to natural disasters, such as landslides, droughts and more potent hurricanes.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon won international praise when he rolled out the country’s first national blueprint for reducing carbon emissions last month. For now, Mexico is avoiding tough tasks, such as confronting the powerful state-run energy sector, in favor of ideas such as planting trees in deforested areas.

Chicago Tribune