Greening Mexico

Mexico City Building, Torre de Especialidades, Eats Smog for Lunch

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:30:09 -0400

For Torre de Especialidades, a hospital with a new tower currently under construction in Mexico City, Allison Dring and Daniel Schwaag of the Berlin-based firm Elegant Embellishment have developed a tile called proSolve370e, which will cover the facade of the building. The tile’s shape and chemical coating will help neutralize the chemicals present in the city’s smog which is produced by 8,750 cars driving each day.

The paint applied to the tiles is made from titanium dioxide, a pigment used to make a wide range of applications from paint to sunscreen to food coloring. Titanium (IV) oxide or Titania happens to double as a catalyst in certain chemical reactions. When UV light cuts through smoggy air and hits the titanium dioxide on the tiles, a chemical reaction occurs between the tiles and chemicals in the smog. The smog is broken down into small amounts of less noxious chemicals, including calcium nitrate, carbon dioxide, and water. This colorless salt absorbs moisture from the air and is commonly found as a tetrahydrate. It is mainly used as a component in fertilizers, but has other applications. The shape of the tiles also slows wind speeds and creates turbulence, which distributes pollution more evenly across the tiles.

While Torre de Especialidades is the first permanent exterior installation of their system, Dring is hopeful that others will follow Mexico City’s lead. “Other cities with pollution problems including Santiago, Beijing, Los Angeles, Beirut, Astana or those with tightening regulations as is the current case in Germany are ideal environments for proSolve370e.”

Mexico Promotes Rooftop Solar PV for Rural Communities

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:48:47 -0400

Mexico is a leader in renewable energy from solar power. Now, thanks to a new energy bill, rural Mexican communities will be able to power their homes and schools using the sun’s power. The announcement came after the Mexican government approved amendments to the country’s renewable energy bill aimed at promoting rooftop photovoltaic solar panels at public schools.

Not only will the education centers benefit from a free and environmentally friendly source of energy, but also surplus energy will be able to be sold back to others in the community.

Currently Mexico offers a generous reward scheme for those who want to invest in solar photovoltaic. Mexico was the second country in the world to implement long-term climate change targets into national legislation. The renewable energy bill calls for a 30% reduction in emission growth by 2020, and 50% by 2050 with 35% of energy to come from renewable sources by 2024.

House for artist is built into Mexico City billboard

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:22:36 -0400

House for artist is built into Mexico City billboard:

Solar America Looks toward Mexico and Central America as Next Hot Spot for Solar Projects

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:30:51 -0400

Mexico and Central America are regions capable of experiencing growth in the solar market. In particular, Mexico has proven to be a viable candidate, with infrastructure already in place to power and meet the demands of an alternative energy solution.

Mexico’s energy minister has stated that less than one percent of Mexico’s land would need to be developed with solar energy to power the entire nation.

Mexico is committed to investing 31.4 billion pesos in renewable energy programs by 2020, it is no surprise that Solar America is excited to establish a niche in this rapidly growing sector in Mexico.

Moreover, Solar America recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Valdez de Cueva Constructores to implement solar energy solutions for a housing project in Tonlola, a suburb of Guadalajara.

The partnership between Solar America and Mexico will help the country reach its renewable energy target of thirty five percent from alternative sources. With such government support, viable space and an abundance of sunlight these are just a few reasons Solar America has targeted Mexico.

Mexican Solar Power Continues to Grow with Yucatan Project

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:56:00 -0500

In a step away from dependence on fossil fuels, Mexico has approximately doubled their solar photovolataic (PV) market in the past year. Part of this increase is owed to the dropping costs of solar modules.

Despite such an increase in the less than five year old market, however, the growth has been less than that of other countries due to the lack of government subsidies for the alternative energy source.

In recent news, one of the more extensive projects that was proposed involves the Spanish PV developer Isofotón who signed a memorandum of understanding with the Yucatan state government. This document will allow them to develop a 150 MW PV facility in Mexico; ultimately helping the nation get one step closer to their goal of a 690 MW PV power grid between 2016 and 2019.

Construction of the facility will begin in January of next year, will take about two years to complete, and will cost around $360 million.

China and Mexico Leading Fight on Climate Change With New CO2 Laws

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:50:34 -0500

The Globe International alliance of lawmakers met in London on January 13-14 to discuss the roles and contributions of governments in a worldwide effort to suppress global warming.

18 out of 33 countries reported “significant” progress in a 2012 study of energy and climate laws; several of which are considered emerging economies. Mexico, China, South Korea, and India have all passed laws or created programs aimed at lowering CO2 emissions and preventing climate change.

Not everyone was given a gold star though as the report showed Germany, the UK, France, and Italy were among a group of countries that made no substantive change, while Canada went so far as to perform worse than recent years.

The Globe alliance hopes that encouragement to pass laws within these countries individually will create a clearer pathway for UN treaty talks and the implementation of a plan to lower emissions by 2015. To do this, the alliance pledged support in the form of political, analytical, and administrative aid for the next three years to the lawmakers who participated in London.

Mexico Wind Power Sets New Generation Record

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:27:54 -0500

The latest figures from national power company CFE show that wind power in Mexico sent a record 282GWh to the grid in November, which is up 233% from the 84.5 GWh in the year-ago month. Mexico follows Brazil in the Latin American region with about 6.6 GW of installed capacity by 2025.

The Mexican Wind Energy Association projects the country’s wind power potential to be around 30 GW.

The region best suited for wind development is the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Oaxaca. GWEC estimates that 10 GW of wind energy could be developed in the region, despite challenging wind and seismic conditions. Currently, 1.9 GW is under construction in Mexico and scheduled to come online by 2015.

Investment in wind power increased 68% between 2010 and 2011 and in 2012, Mexico’s installed capacity of wind power reached 1 GW, 2% of the national energy installed capacity, compared to the 519 MW of 2010. The wind sector is expected to duplicate by 2013 which in turn will generate between 30 thousand to 100 thousand jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 10%.

According to Mauricio Trujillo, Project Manager in Latin America of the Global Wind Energy Council, at today Mexico’s wind power sector is at the point where the Asian wind power sector was five years ago. This implies that Mexico is at the start of a very steep growth curve and can expect great advancements in the coming years.

German Businessman creates solar-powered ovens to make sun baked tortillas in Mexico

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:44:04 -0500

Central Mexicohas copious amounts of sun and tortillas, so perhaps it isn’t so surprising that someone came up with the idea of using solar power to make them. In the town of El Sauz, north of Mexico City, German businessman Gregor Schapers has created and installed giant circular solar-powered ovens to make tortillas in a carbon-free manner.

Schapers, who has lived in the town of El Sauz, 180 kilometers (110 miles) north of Mexico Citysince 2003, hopes that this environmentally-friendly solar cooker can ultimately slash energy bills inMexico’s poor rural communities.

Conventional ovens typically use gas, up to 16 gallons a month. Some might expect a solar oven to be rather anemic in the temperature ranges. However, Schapers solar cookers can reach beyond 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.

He adapted solar energy-harnessing technology created by the Austrian Wolfgang Scheffler. Scheffler reflectors are used to heat up a griddle, oven, and cauldron. They are made in El Sauz by TrinySol and can last up to thirty years.

Inhabitat reports that one solar cooker costs about $4,000-$5,000, yet the oven more than pays for itself in a relatively short period of time. This is because, once up and running, the solar cooker has no need for anything but sunlight, and helps Gregor Schapers save the money he would otherwise be forced to spend on gas.

Continue reading German Businessman Gregor Schapers and his Solar-solar-powered ovens at Mexicotoday.org!

Mexico continues to lead on climate change at COP18 in Doha

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:54:02 -0500

Mexicoparticipated in the Eighteenth Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention of the United Nations on Climate Change (COP 18), which recently took place inDoha,Qatar. Francisco Barnés Regueiro, General Director of National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change (INECC), led the Mexican delegation.

“For Mexicoit is important for the agreement to be legally binding and secure the participation of all States according to their capabilities and responsibilities, focusing not only on mitigation, but in all those aspects that require further development, such as financial" said Barnés Regueiro.

Since hosting COP16 in Cancun, Mexicohas worked tirelessly to support the efforts of the international community on climate change, including the establishment of an Interministerial Commission on Climate Change, strengthening local capacities for attention of the phenomenon, and the entry into force of the Act on Climate Change.

Additionally,Mexicohas promoted the implementation of the agreements reached at the last conference of the parties, particularly theDurbanpackage that builds on the Cancun Agreements, and promoted to reflect the urgency of immediate action on climate change.

Mexican officials stressed the necessity to find a model of growth with lower carbon emissions, with an efficient use of our natural resources and conserving biodiversity.

Monarch Butterfly Migration passes through Day of the Dead celebrations

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:57:32 -0500

As the monarch butterflies’ annual migration brings them closer and closer to Mexico, one of Mexico’s best-known holidays is approaching. The beginning of November marks Día de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead.” This holiday celebrates and honors deceased loved ones, and coincidently occurs simultaneously with the monarch arrival in Mexico. Monarch butterflies travel thousands of miles from theUnited States andCanada to their winter nesting grounds in centralMexico.

The native Purépecha Indians believe that encapsulated within each butterfly is the soul of a returned loved one. In the Mexican state of Michoacán, monarchs drift through the cemeteries. As the butterflies dance across graves, these souls are greeted by locals celebrating the holiday.

The orange-winged beauties add a vibrant touch to the celebrations. As 300 million butterflies complete their 3,000-mile journey, the living rejoice in their annual visit from the returning souls.

In the new movie Flight of the Butterflies, the observance of Día de los Muertos plays a key role in the plot of the movie. Among the citizen scientists search for the monarch butterflies were Ken Brugger and his wife, Catalina Aguado. As Catalina and Ken visit a local cemetery during Día de los Muertos, they see monarch butterflies heading towards a nearby mountain. This mountain is later discovered to be the winter nesting place of millions of monarch butterflies.

A Mexican Must – the Monarch Migration

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 17:10:00 -0400

The butterfly. Most of us are fascinated by its beauty and grace. We often pause and admire them flutter by a flower on a summertime stroll. We secretly hope the delicate creature comes closer and notices us too.

Growing up I call recall such moments, but I never really thought about where the butterflies went in the wintertime. Little did I know the Monarch butterfly migrates thousands of miles across multiple generations in a year to spend each winter in theSierra Madre OrientalMountainsofMexico. But I learned about it shortly before I calledMexico Cityhome. And when I learned the sanctuary was just a few hour bus ride from the capital city I decided to make it a must visit.

I am so glad I did.

The Sanctuary el Rosario

It was a late January weekend when I decided to make the trek to the forest and plotted my course to visit El Rosario Sanctuary in the Mexican state of Michoacán. I wanted to witness the magic firsthand. Upon arrival the hike uphill was largely paved (not the very top) and rather accessible for all skill levels with a little patience and persistence. Young kids and their grandparents hiked it. You can do it; the treasure is well worth it.

I recall after about forty-five minutes in to the hike I saw the first butterfly and I decided to start counting them as I continued to climb. One. Two. Then it was by the tens and eventually hundreds. I arrived a plateau watched and listened as thousands. It wasn’t the sheer number that impressed me (yet) but the fact the all migrated here. Then a man told me don’t stop here, keep going. I did.

Continue reading more on the Monarch Migration at Mexicotoday.org!

Flamingo Watching in the Yucatan

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 17:15:00 -0400

My Mexican husband’s family comes from the tiny fishingvillageofChabihauon the northern coast ofMexico'sYucatanPeninsula. Several times a year, we drive out fromCancunto visit tíos, tías and primos that still reside in this quiet hideaway, with their houses set by what they refer to as the salina, a beautiful and shallow lagoon. As we sit outside eating fresh ceviche, we often spot large flocks with hundreds of flamingos standing on in the middle of the salina, the occasional small group flying overhead. Experiences like this can be found in the wetlands set all alongYucatan’s coastline, dotted with small towns, mangrove forests, crystal-clear cenotes and lush palm tree groves: a paradise for eco travel.

Locals living on theYucatanPeninsulacan experience these private flamingo viewings on a regular basis, but where can a traveler easily go to see these brightly-colored creatures? A few small eco travel destinations are ideal for viewingYucatanflamingos, and they also offer an unforgettable escape from the hustle and bustle of larger beach destinations likeCancunor Playa del Carmen.

Río Lagartos

Travelers staying in Merida, Cancun and the Riviera Maya will find themselves just three or four hours from Rio Lagartos, situated on the northeastern coast of Yucatan State. Buses, taxis, tours and vans are available, although renting a car and driving is also a safe, easy and affordable option.

The Rio Lagartos Bio Reserve covers nearly 150,000 acres, boastingMexico’s largest flamingo population. IncredibleYucatanwildlife abounds throughout the reserve, with hundreds of bird species and turtles nesting along the coasts. The town ofRio Lagartosoffers a few small restaurants and hotels run by locals, as well as a landmark lighthouse. Just make sure to bring lots of cash: Rio Lagartos does not have an ATM.

Continue reading more on Flamingo Watching at Mexicotoday.org!

Rolls-Royce may build jet-engine plant in Mexico

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:13:21 -0400

Rolls-Royce PLC is looking to manufacture airplane engines in the northern Mexican state ofSonora, the head of a British trade mission toMexicosaid Tuesday.

“As Mexican manufacturing develops critical mass, more of these companies will come to get in the supply chain,” David Wootton, Lord Mayor of the City ofLondon, told reporters.

Rolls-Royce officials were not immediately available for comment.

Having attracted automotive manufacturers from around the globe,Mexicohas since begun courting the aerospace industry.

Justin McKenzie, head of trade and investment at the British Embassy in Mexico City, added that U.K.-based oil and gas firms are also very interested in investing in Mexico, although those prospects hinge largely on the success of the Mexican government’s efforts to allow for greater private investment in the energy sector.

New Geothermal Power Plant to be Built in Mexico

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:45:52 -0400

In September, Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) reached an agreement with Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. to build another 50 MW geothermal power plant. The power plant will be constructed in the region of Michoacán, and will be completed by the end of 2014. This power plant is the fifth part of the Los Azufres III project. When completed, it will be the twelfth geothermal plant constructed by Mitsubishi forMexico.

Mexicois the fourth largest provider in geothermal power. Ranking behind the United States, the Philippinesand Indonesia, Mexicohas a geothermal energy capacity of over 900 MW. In 1959, it installed the first geothermal power plant in the Western hemisphere.

Renewable clean energy development benefits local economies. Geothermal energy, simply put, is the heat from the earth. It comes from either the center of the earth, or from the sun. It lowers the need to pay for imported fossil fuels, and also helps generate even more economic development opportunities. This reliable electricity is produced at a stable price, and also generates electricity in a way that keeps environmental impacts and emissions to a minimum. An advantage it has over other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind powers is that geothermal energy is not intermittent.

Because of economic growth, the demand for electricity has also risen. The new plant will allow the CFE to meet this need in a way that is economically and environmentally conscious.

Mexico Sustainability Initiatives Showcased at Green Solutions 2012 Summit

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:35:38 -0400

Shaping Clean Policy for a Low-Carbon Economy is the subject of this week’s Green Solutions 2012 Summit inMexico City. The conference focused on sustainable urban development, including such components as planning, design and architecture of new “green cities.” Sustainable urban development balances the need to fight urban environmental deterioration while also ensuring the needs, development and wellbeing of inhabitants are met.

The Summitfeatured a panel on how Mexicoand the United Kingdomare working together for more sustainable cities. Organizations represented on the panel (CTS, Fundación IDEA, IMCO and ITDP) addressed some of the results obtained from related projects funded by the British Embassy through the “Fondo Prosperidad” initiative. More than half of the world’s population lives in cities.America is the most urbanized continent, with close to 80% of its population living in urban areas. For this reason, common solutions must be found to achieve balance in the surroundings, safeguard the environment and offer people a better quality of life.

A subsequent panel featured officials from the states ofAguascalientes, Morelos and Quintana Roo to present the public initiatives and policies of local entities to fight climate change and develop sustainable urban planning projects.

mothernaturenetwork: The greenest college campusesFrom...

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 12:15:39 -0400

mothernaturenetwork:

The greenest college campuses
From LEED-certified buildings to programs in sustainability, these campuses make the grade in environmental awareness.

Flight of the Butterflies World Premiere Event

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 17:48:24 -0400

On September 24, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History hosted the world premiere event of SK Films’ “Flight of the Butterflies.” The 3D nature film was screened in the Johnson IMAX Theater. The movie premiere was attended by President Felipe Calderón and First Lady Margarita Zavala, as well as a variety of Mexican andU.S. officials, including Mexican Secretary of Tourism Gloria Guevara, Mexican Ambassador to the United States Arturo Sarukhán, and U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.

Representatives from SK Films were also in attendance, including Executive Producer Jonathan Barker, Director Mike Slee, and Co-Executive Producer Wendy MacKeigan. The principal actor, Gordon Pinsent, was also there, as well as actor Shaun Benson and actress Patricia Phillips.CatalinaTrail, the only surviving member of the original monarch sanctuary discovery team, was a featured guest. Catalina was recognized and applauded for her journey that has dawned new discoveries in monarchs, and which led to decades of fascination with the migration.

A reception in the museum’s rotunda featured small plate Mexican cuisine and live mariachi music. Light projections of butterflies danced across the high ceilings while the attendees swayed to the traditional Mexican music. Cookies in the shape of monarchs topped off the delicious selection of Mexican dishes.

Check out our photos of the film, interviews with the cast, the beginning of the event and thereception!

Flight of the Butterflies film premiere listings

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 17:44:57 -0400

SK Film’s Flight of the Butterflies is a masterpiece that cannot be missed. After its official film premiere in Washington, DC on September 24, the film will begin playing in select theaters across theUnited States. Below are the listings for October – look for the monarchs in a theater near you!

Premiering in the United States

Houston,TX:HoustonMuseumof Science and Industry, October 1

Louisville,KY:LouisvilleScienceCenter, October 1

Omaha,NB: Henry Doorly Zoo, October 1

Raleigh,NC:MarblesKidsMuseum, October 1

Seattle,WA:PacificScienceCenter, October 1

St. Augustine,FL: World Golf Hall of Fame, October 1

Baltimore,MD:MarylandScienceCenter, October 5

Chattanooga,MN:TennesseeAquarium, October 5

Galveston,TX:MoodyGardens, October 5

Jersey City,NJ:LibertyScienceCenter, October 5

Washington,DC:SmithsonianNationalMuseumof Natural History, October 5

Premiering in Canada

Edmonton,AB,Canada:EdmontonScienceCenter, October 1

Hull/Ottawa,Canada: CanadianMuseumofCivilization, October 12

Premiering in Mexico

Mexico City, Mexico: Papalote Museo del Nino, October 12

Tijuana, Mexico: Mexico Centro Cultural Tijuana, October 15

SK Films presents "Flight of the Butterflies"

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 17:41:50 -0400

SK Films is proud to present Flight of the Butterflies, an opportunity to experience the natural phenomenon that is the annual monarch butterfly migration through film. The iconic monarch is truly a marvel of nature. It weighs less than a penny, and manages to make one of the longest migrations on Earth across a continent to a destination they have never been. With pinpoint navigational accuracy, monarchs travel these 3,000 miles to the sanctuaries in Mexico.

Follow the monarchs’ perilous and extraordinary journey, and join hundreds of millions of real butterflies in the remote mountain peaks ofMexico. For the very first time, witness the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. This includes being able to see inside a chrysalis, due to advanced MRI and micro CT scans. Become lost in the compelling story of a courageous scientist’s 40-year search to find the secret migration destination of monarchs.

This award-winning film team – including Oscar winner Peter Parks – followed the year-long migration cycle of the monarch butterflies. Experience the journey fromCanada, through theUnited States, to a few remote, 10,000 foot high peaks in theSierraMadreMountainsofMexico, and back. This film captures the awe and wonder of the breathtaking sanctuaries, and interweaves spellbinding natural history with an uplifting human story.

Experience the phenomenon. Unravel the mysteries. Witness the journey. Flight of the butterflies.

Attention Texas: The Monarchs are coming

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 17:39:04 -0400

The monarchs are coming!

As the cold weather sweeps down from Canadain September, millions of monarch will take flight to escape it. In three pathways, monarch butterflies will flood from theUnited States into centralMexico. One group flies from the west throughArizona andNew Mexico. Another migrates from centralCanada, the Midwest and Great Plains through centralTexas. The final cluster will travel along the Appalachian Mountains and Atlantic seaboard to follow theTexas coast toMexico.

When the autumn season brings shorter daylight and cooler temperatures, the monarchs read these as signs that they need to stop reproducing and head to their winter home inMexico.

The butterflies will reach Texasby late September, and the number will peak during October. Thelargest migration concentrations will cross into Mexico around Del Rio in the last half of October. By Thanksgiving, most will have settled into their reserves in the mountainous oyamel fir forests.

There was a drought through the Midwest and parts of centralTexasthis year. This resulted in sparse wildflowers and few natural nectar sources, which is what the butterflies are dependent on. The southern rains in southeastTexas, however, have produced many nectar-rich flowers. This means the monarchs will – thankfully – have sufficient food to nourish them when they arrive.