Climate Change, Fossil Fuels, and Mexico

Mexico continues to be hit repeatedly by the effects of climate change, the result of human activity, both use of fossil fuels and agricultural processes. Mexico experiences droughts and intermittent flooding. Hurricanes take human lives, human potential, and tens of billions of dollars in economic damage.

Otis produced wind speeds of 165 mph (265 km/h) that intensified with unexpected velocity, destroying bridges, power lines, businesses, homes, and banks. Acapulco, one of the jewels of the Mexican Pacific, now seems like a setting for a post-apocalyptic movie. Enki Research, a risk analysis firm specializing in natural disasters, has estimated the economic losses due to the recent hurricane at $15 billion. [/b]

Mexico continues to promote the use of fossil fuels. CFE at Petacalco continues to poison the environment while untold amounts of electricity could be produced by solar and wind generation. Mexico continues a love affair with gasoline and diesel fueled vehicles while ignoring the potential for an industry building battery electric vehicles. Imagine if every tool booth on cuata highways had fast charging stations. Imagine if there were as many fast charging stations in the municipio of Zihuatanejo as there are Pemex stations. Imagine if every Pemex station also had fast charging.

Maybe with a climate scientist as president some of Mexico’s practices will change for the betterment of Mexico, Mexicans, and all people.