Green Options » Mexico

Earth Policy Institute: Raising Water Productivity

Earth Policy Institute — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:05:31 +0000

By Lester R. Brown

With water shortages emerging as a constraint on food production growth, the world needs an effort to raise water productivity similar to the one that nearly tripled land productivity during the last half of the twentieth century.

Worldwide, average irrigation water productivity is now roughly 1 kilogram of grain per ton of water used. Since it takes 1,000 tons of water to produce 1 ton of grain, it is not surprising that 70 percent of world water use is devoted to irrigation. Thus, raising irrigation efficiency is central to raising water productivity overall.

Read the rest of this post at sustainablog…

Drink it or Drive it: The Promise of Agave for Ethanol

Sarah Lozanova — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 22:23:46 +0000

Corn has given ethanol a bad name and scientists are searching far and wide for alternative feedstock. Agave has been getting attention lately and looks very promising, although tequila connoisseurs may not be cheering. Here’s why agave is so much appealing:

High Yield Per Acre

Soybeans generate a measly 60 gallons of biodiesel annually from an acre of land and has an energy balance of 2.5. Corn generates about 300-400 gallons of ethanol per acre and has an energy balance of 1.3. Sugar cane can generate 600-800 gallons of ethanol per acre annually and has an energy balance of 8. Sugar cane unfortunately is very labor intensive to cultivate and could contribute to deforestation.

Agave however can yield an impressive 2,000 gallons of distilled ethanol per acre each year annually. Cellulosic ethanol from agave has 6 to 9 times the yield per acre. This would significantly reduce the quantity of land needed to produce the same quantity of transportations fuels.

Portable Light

David Alan Foster — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:06:40 +0000

I went to visit a friend, Cameron Sinclair, who’s doing great work through his organization, Architecture for Humanity. One person he mentioned in our conversation was Sheila Kennedy and her project Portable Light. From the website:

“Portable Light is an interdisciplinary research, design and engineering project to create and implement new models for energy efficient electrical power and lighting. Portable Light applies creative processes and strategic integrative thinking to optimize existing semi-conductor technologies and create new applications to serve the large number of people—more than 2 billion—who do not have access to electric light or power. Portable Light is based upon the principle that global needs for technology development are inevitably interconnected. Knowledge, techniques, market solutions and data produced by the project benefit the “third” world and the “first” world where the need to imagine, design and develop energy efficient alternatives to the centralized and increasingly costly electrical grid is becoming ever more important.”

We’ll be keeping a close eye on LEDs, HBLEDs and OLEDs. Lots of design bandwidth in these lighting technologies.

Tangled Up in Green: NAFTA…Only If We Absolutely Hafta

Ranjit Arab — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 02:34:20 +0000

I don’t know if you caught it, but the whole Hillary Clinton-Barack Obama flap over NAFTA exposed a dirty little secret: The North American Free Trade Agreement isn’t about American jobs or cheap Mexican labor—it’s about Canadian oil.

Think as far back as two weeks ago. I know you can do it. Remember, Britney’s dad started taking control of her life… everyone you know bugged the hell out of you by constantly saying: “I drink your milkshake…”

Anyway, back then, Hillary and Obama were campaigning among blue-collar crowds in Ohio when news broke out that someone from the Obama camp called the Canadian government and reassured them that the tough talk on NAFTA was all just an act. Later, it was revealed that Hillary probably made a similar call.

All of which begged the question: Why would they care so much about Canada if this was about NAFTA? Hasn’t Uncle Lou told us time and time again that NAFTA is all about Mexico: its cheap labor, and its non-existent regulations, which entice American factories to relocate south of the border?

Green Building South of the Border

Elizabeth Redmond — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:14:41 +0000

Latin America has only established two LEED certified buildings so far but due to progressive trends it appears that this number will grow. In 2004, Mexico established its own Green Building Council called MexicoGBC. This is the first in Latin America. “Mexico’s building and construction industry is just waking up and realizing that we are big players,” says Cesar Ulises Previno, MexicoGBC president. “We have a lot of potential to make a difference.” Now, the government is showing interest and the MexicoGBC is creating their own LEED program called SICES that will be specific to the countries climate, available materials, and other related conditions. Among the most critical aspects are site management, water conservation, energy efficiency, materials selections and interior air quality

US Border Fence An Environmental Mistake In The Making?

Michael dEstries — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 20:54:47 +0000

An almost 700 mile long fence between the US and Mexico border is raising alarm with environmentalists concerned about impacts to wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem. The fence is being created to help curb the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States; a construction move that Mexican officials claim will cause irreparable environmental damages. From the article,

A report prepared for the Mexican government by experts and environmental activists from Mexico and the US said the barriers could isolate border animals into smaller groups, affecting their genetic diversity. These include jaguars, Mexican black bears and the endangered antelope-like Sonora Pronghorn.

Additionally, the massive strong lights and other equipment adorning the perimeter line will upset animals with nocturnal systems and natural radar.

Proposed additions to the fence to help abate environmental concerns include "green corridors" — to easily allow the passage of animals, pollen, and other organisms — but not humans. These corridors would not have roads and would be difficult for peope to transverse. Additionally, environmentalists are petitioning for permeable sections that would allow water, pollen, and insects to pass — thereby keeping some form of connection between habitats.

Something tells me that the US Government is not going to let environmentalism stand in its way to keep out illegal immigrants. A 700 mile long fence seems like a rather crude and ancient way of dealing with the situation, but I’m at a loss on the subject to suggest alternatives. One does feel that animal habitats or migration routes will be cut off as a result. Have we given this construction project any thought beyond its intended use? Hit the jump for more.

New Options for Eco-Tourism

Amy Stodghill — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:59:00 +0000

Expedia has partnered with the World Heritage Alliance and the United Nations Foundation to create sustainable tourism options for travellers in Mexico.

Under the Expedia Employee Volunteer Program, Expedia employees are paired with local tourism companies to create cultural and ecological tours. These tours provide a unique experience for tourists and benefit the community through additional economic revenue, preservation of local traditions and environmental conservation.

Examples of the tours this year include a traditional tour of the Laguna Azul (Blue Lagoon), with outdoor activities and interpretive trails; and a tour featuring community traditions like indigenous medicine, cooking, storytelling, dances and the manufacturing of local goods.

This is the second round of the program, which organizers hope will be as successful as the first in the Yucatan Peninsula.

The World Heritage Alliance has also brought other travel industry leaders on board, including hotels, resorts and travel agencies, in an effort to implement sustaianble business practices, feature local products and goods, and educate travellers about sustainable tourism.

Via MaximsNews.com

Further reading on eco-travel from Green Options:

Introduction to Travelers' Philanthropy
Preserving the Social Norms and Cultures of Local and Indigenous Communities
Eco-Travel