.jpg)
Mexico City was once dubbed “Mexsicko City” because of its pollution and smog, similar to that of Los Angeles, California. Recently, however, Mexico City has made a huge improvement on the quality of its air due to a rise in awareness and various initiatives such as this one from VerdMX:… vertical gardens. Sculptures such as the arch pictured above and vertical gardens, hanging from walls, aim to clean both the air and the reputation that Mexico City gained in the 70s and 80s. As the nonprofit VerdMX states on its homepage, “better air, better economy”, making a clear link between the efficiency of ecology and its positive economic impact. Its primary function however, is to help rid the air of pollution and toxins and is a reminder for those around it how important natural life is for human health. As one of three ‘eco-sculptures’ installed across the city, the arch, holding over 50,000 plants, is both art and oxygenator. It catches the eye, and it also helps clean the air.
Suzlon Energy, one of the key wind power solutions providers in the world, has announced plans to enter the wind turbine industry in Mexico in the near future. Suzlon Energy manufactures products attributed to the wind energy industry like blades, generators, and panels. The company is dedicated to… advocating sustainability and emission control on a global level. They currently employ more than 140, 000 individuals. Suzlon Energy is dedicated to moving the global community away from a dependence on nonrenewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels, to a new reliance on replenished or renewable resources, like wind, solar, or water power.
Ford, one of Mexico’s main car exporters last year, has just announced that in the near future they will be investing $1.3 billion in the Hermosillo Ford plant in Northern Mexico. This investment will lead to the employment of around 1,000 new workers on top of the 2,700 individuals… already employed at the location. Ford’s plant in Hermosillo, Mexico will be dedicated to the increased production of its anticipated midsize 2013 Ford Fusion vehicule and its new Lincoln MKZ vehicle. The 2013 Ford Fusion, available in the fall, will represent a landmark in the progression towards sustainable transportation practices in Mexico.
SolFocus and Grupo Musa have announced the construction of a CPV plant with a total capacity of 450MW in Baja California, Mexico. Construction is expected to begin in late 2012 and the project will be built in 50MW tranches. Commercial production is estimated to commence in late 2013. …
We’re approaching that special time of the year when the sea turtles of the Riviera Maya come to the shores to bury their eggs in the sand. With this comes the announcement by Grand Vidana, - Mexico’s leading developer of luxury resorts, gulf courses and real estate - that they‘ll… be sponsoring an event designed to aid in the conservation of endangered sea turtles species. The event, organized by the Sea Turtle Conservancy, will run from June 21 through June 24, 2012, at Riviera Maya, Mexico.
If you are looking for a unique approach to travel and community service, well then voluntourism through a program like Projects Abroad might be the adventure for you. Founded in 1992, Projects Abroad is on of the largest volunteer organizations in the world sending over 8,000 people abroad each… year.
When scientists fired a “cigar-sized” satellite tag into a western gray whale off Russia’s Sakhalin Island in September, they expected to track her along Asia’s Pacific shoreline down to the South China Sea. To their surprise, the young female turned up off of Mexico’s… Baja Peninsula.
Algae oil extraction technology developer OriginOil has signed a commercial agreement with algae producer Aquaviridis to work on a multi-phase algae production rollout at a facility in Mexicali, Mexico. …
During her recent visit to Mexico City, Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Italy, Marta Dassù stated that Mexico is… becoming a profitable economic market for Italy. More and more Italian businesses, both big and small, are interested in investing and trading with Mexico because of favorable market conditions within the country. This is projected to fortify diplomatic relations between Mexico and Italy. At the Italian Embassy in Mexico, Dassù met with influential individuals in the entrepreneurial sector of the economy, including representatives from Enel Green Power and Ferrero. In addition, Under-Secretary Dassù recently attended the G20 Meeting in Los Cabos, Mexico on February 19-20.
Since the days of colonization, Mexico’s position as a leading global sugar producer has influenced their cultural history, politics,… and economy in a drastic way. Sugar, once referred to as “White Gold” is an imperative staple of Mexican culture and is Mexico’s largest agricultural industry today. Furthermore, Mexico is the sixth most prominent sugar producer in the world. With the increased amount of rainfall in sugar growing areas in Mexico this year, next year is anticipated to see a significant boom in sugar harvests. More rain has begun to appear in the western regions of Mexico as well as along the Gulf of Mexico where many sugar plantations are located. An end to drought conditions in Mexico can prove to be beneficial for not only the sugar industry but also the agricultural economy as a whole due to the crop’s massive influence on Mexican society.
According to Leopoldo Rodriguez, the president of the Mexican Wind Energy Association, a recent study indicates that total installed wind power capacity in Mexico could reach nearly 12,000 megawatts by 2020. If the country stays focused on achieving this goal, this would account for nearly 15 percent of the… country’s electricity.
To continue fighting climate change, Mexico and the United States recently announced the formation of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, a new international coalition to reduce emissions of common pollutants that contribute to rapid climate change and widespread health problems. Sweden, Canada, Ghana, and Bangladesh are also members… of the coalition.
In November 2011, environmental leaders from around the world attended the COP17 Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa. Fernando Tudela Abad, the undersecretary of environmental policy and planning at the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, was one such expert at the… conference.
The green initiative ‘Reforestamos Mexico’ (Reforesting Mexico) was born in 2002, focusing on conservation projects and the revival of natural capital through reforestation of natural protected areas of Mexican land. Nearly one-third of all Mexican territory is covered by forests and the… reforestation of Mexican jungles and forests are essential for the development of Mexican territory. ‘Reforestamos Mexico’ is committed to ensuring that forests and jungles are kept green and that the right measures are implemented to strengthen social capital.
The Japanese automotive manufacturer of Yorozu plans to invest MXP$900 million (around US$70 million) to build a new plant at the State of… Guanajuato, in central Mexico.
Solar Power Mexico 2012 on May 15 and 16, 2012 is a green growth conference taking place in Mexico City with the intention of bringing together influential individuals and businesses from all over the world interested in environmental issues, solar resources, and sustainability. Solar Power Mexico 2012 will… focus on the imperative ability to transform Mexico into a leading economic and environmental entity by the implementation of solar energy. The conference is part of the Mexican International Renewable Energy Congress. This congress has the goal of increasing awareness on the growing importance of using renewable solar resources to generate energy. The environmental conference will provide advice and educational support on how government and business entities can work together to secure a sustainable society. Wind and geothermal industries are crucial to the changing environmental state of the world and Mexico is in the position to truly make a difference.
One of the greatest mysteries of Mexico pertains to the existence of freshwater reserves in the Yucatán Peninsula despite its lack of… rivers. In the Yucatán Peninsula, deep underground reserves or sinkholes of freshwater called cenotes can be seen and explored. The term cenote comes from the Mayan word dzonot which specifies a region with available groundwater. These Yucatán cenotes are found underground as rainwater infiltrates through the soil to sub-surface regions of limestone bedrock. Cenotes, for the Mexican people, are more than a mere naturalistic phenomenon. Cenotes for the Mayans inhabiting the Yucatán Peninsula region are considered sanctified occurrences, proving the existence and caring nature of the gods.
A new major step towards the development of global awareness and collaboration on green initiatives and issues pertaining to the environment… and the economy was recently created by four principal green organizations. The Global Green Growth Initiative, the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Bank, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development signed an agreement to generate a Green Growth Knowledge Platform. These four organizations signed the initiative at the first Green Growth Knowledge Platform conference. Leading green experts and intellectuals were in attendance. This new Green Growth Knowledge Platform will help strengthen decision-making and policy implementation in regards to green assessments for businesses and government agencies. This platform will provide individuals with a resource for information, support, and analysis on a variety of different global environmental issues such as sustainability, green growth, green initiatives, and global warming. The Green Growth Knowledge Platform will also focus on the effect of environmental issues on economic and political matters in the changing societal climate of the world. Richard Samans, the Executive Director of the Global Green Growth Institute stated, “This MoU marks the formal launch of essential international cooperation on testing, exploring, and refining policies and actions on green growth for practical implementation in both developed and developing countries.”
The rocky desert of northern Baja California harbors has been praised as one of the best wind resources in the Americas. Not far from the border of Southern California, is located the renewable energy goldmine, La Rumorosa (Spanish for “The Murmuring”), known for its insatiable appetite for… energy.
Mexican Archaeologists discovered a kiln used by the ancient Zapotecs to make ceramics more than 1,300 years ago, the National Anthropology and History Institute (INAH), said. An oven used by the Zapotecs confirms the long tradition of pottery in Mexico's Oaxaca region