Smoking zone

Emily Godoy (Tierramerica via Inter Press News) writes:

The latest official data on greenhouse gas emissions, from 2002, indicate that this country released into the atmosphere 643 million tons of carbon dioxide per year: 61 percent from energy generation and consumption, 22 percent from industry and 14 percent from deforestation.

Electricity, which is produced primarily in plants run on fossil fuels, contributes some 114 million tons of carbon emissions annually in Mexico.

Mexico’s share of carbon emissions is about 1.5 of the world total.  Carbon credits are only available for 127 million tons, with only about five tons of credits available in all Latin America.  Although Mexico is highly dependent on coal and oil, it is well situated to take advantage of solar power (it’s not just sunshine, but high altitude and a dry climate preferably close to the equator that makes for effective solar power collection… and if there’s one thing Mexico is abundant in, it’s high deserts), as well as geothermal, hydroelectric and wind power.

Some start has been made on carbon sequestration (notably, Mexico City gives tax credits for roof-top gardens and plantings) but deforestation is a chronic worry.