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.

Target emissions to be reduced include methane, a greenhouse gas that is more potent than carbon dioxide, as well as soot and hydro fluorocarbons that contribute to climate change.

Drew Shindell, a senior climate scientist at NASA’s Goddard Institute on Space Studies, said in a The New York Times article that “attacking short-lived climate agents could have immediate impacts.” Additionally, the president of the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development Durwood Zaelke said that the initiative, if expanded and adequately financed, would have more impact on the climate than the United Nations climate change negotiations, at least in the near term.

The coalition will be funded with US$15 million. In the next months, specific actions will be determined on its plan to reduce emissions as well as specific targets.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will run the coalition. On a recent report, UNEP identified more than a dozen steps that could be potentially pursued by the coalition, and if executed, the rate of global warmth could slow by half a degree Celsius by 2050. 

The coalition’s efforts in reducing short-lived pollutants are not meant to replace efforts on reducing carbon emissions, but rather will be complementary to them.

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The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was implemented on January 1, 1994 in hope of removing many barriers of trade and investment between Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The NAFTA agreement, in its creation, was expected to create positive trade relationships between the three countries while making sure they adhere to certain economic rules and regulations. The establishment of NAFTA has had many positive effects on the market economy of Mexico, its diplomatic relations with other countries, and the standards of living in Mexico. In addition, millions of jobs have been created in Mexico as a result of the implementation of the NAFTA agreement 18 years ago.

The founder of Soluciones Estratégicas and former Minister of Trade and Industry for Mexico, Dr. Herminio Blanco stated recently in a conference at The University of Texas at El Paso, “Never did we expect during the negotiations the success that NAFTA has had.” He went on to say, “Mexico has been able to attract $160 billion. Never would we have thought that possible.” NAFTA has created the ability to import and export goods between the three countries in a positive and effective way while helping spur jobs through this economic process. The General Manager for the El Paso Saddleblanket Company, Luke Wells explained his company’s relationship with Mexico. He acknowledged, “We’ve been in the import/export business for over 42 years, since 1970 and we’ve always had a wonderful relationship with Mexico.” He went on to claim, “What NAFTA has done is just really to streamline the process and made it a lot more accessible.”

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Volkswagen Group, the world renowned German automobile manufacturing company, has recently opened a new center in Puebla, Mexico, the second largest city in Mexico. Volkswagen now owns the Lamborghini, the Audi, the Bentley, and the Bugatti. The new Volkswagen center is called the Volkswagen Group Sales & Service Academy. Volkswagen has invested $6.7 million in the latest Volkswagen center in Mexico that will act as a training facility for the company. The new Volkswagen Group Sales & Service Academy Puebla training center will provide instructional services to Volkswagen staff, including managers and technicians.

In the long run, it will help improve Volkswagen’s global customer service abilities and overall business quality. Hans-Heiner Tüting, the Executive Vice President of Volkswagen Mexico’s marketing and sales, stated that customer service is one of the company’s main priorities. Volkswagen is completely dedicated to giving customers the attention, respect, and services they deserve. This new expansion for Volkswagen will help sustain their spot as one of the leading carmakers in the world. 

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Puebla

Comstock Metals Ltd. declared that it has started the first phase of a drilling program on its Corona Gold-Silver Project located in the Uruachic District of Chihuahua, Mexico.

The Uruachic district has showed the possibility to become an important gold-silver locality in northwestern Mexico, following Fresnillo PLC's newly-discovered Orisyvo gold deposit of 9.2 million ounces. This locality has attracted the interest of several gold exploration firms, apart from Comstock.

For the 2012 drilling program, the company has built and renovated about 16 km (approximately 10 miles) of access roads. G4 drilling of Hermosillo, Mexico was engaged to perform Comstock’s 2012 drilling program.

The company’s drilling program will primarily concentrate on bulk tonnage, low-grade oxidized gold mineralization. The major part of the drilling will be carried out on the Northeast zone, where low-grade, bulk tonnage gold mineralization was identified in drill holes. The oxidized gold mineralization exists in modified volcanics contiguous to quartz veins bearing higher grade gold. The drill program will also focus on high-grade, gold-silver and base metals veins. The company had conducted a comprehensive rock, soil and silt geochemical surveys, which discovered new regions of zinc, silver, lead and gold mineralization during a 2007/2008 exploration program.

Comstock Metals’ President and CEO Rasool Mohammad said the company concentrates on exploring mineral localities, which provide tremendous opportunities to discover gold-silver deposits. The company will drill its two key assets, which include QV claims and Corona Gold-Silver project in the White Gold locality in the Yukon.

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Uruachic

When Michel Martin, host of NPR’s “Tell Me More” wanted to learn more about the history of chocolate, she went right to a mother-daughter expert team. Diana Xochitl Munn, a botanist who has studied the tree whose seeds are made into chocolate, spoke with Martin alongside her mother, Nativided Estrada, a native Mazatec

The Mazatecs are part of an indigenous group who inhabit an area known as the Sierra Mazateca in the state of Oaxaca. The Mazatec people have long since cherished and revered chocolate, and attribute deep spiritual significance to its consumption. Estrada recently spoke at the “Power of Chocolate” event at Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

Munn expounded on the process of making chocolate, reminding people that it is actually a plant product derived from the Theobroma cacao tree, which fittingly means “food of the gods.” Munn went on to talk about the many forms and uses of cacao, from a seed or bean to the powder that is made from the seeds – and which we commonly know as cocoa. 

“I think it's important for people to remember that chocolate is a plant product,” Munn told NPR. “It comes from a tree and, sometimes, that baffles people. They really don't know where chocolate comes from. So the chocolate tree is a tropical tree that is native to the Americas, but in fact, most of our chocolate comes from other regions in the world, mostly African countries and the tropics.”

Estrada added to the conversation, describing the historical significance of chocolate, as well as its spiritual purpose for the Mazatec people. She said that for the Mazatecs, the cacao was historically used as money. “We pay a few favors that the Mother Earth has given us. We make an offering bundle. For example, if a person is sick, we have to use a curandera (faith healer) to do the offering bundles.” 

While chocolate is used primarily as a form of spiritual payment for the Mazatecs, Munn added that different indigenous groups in Southern Mexico used cacao seeds to make beverages dating back in history, mostly for special occasions such as wedding ceremonies, or to be consumed by members of the elite. 

Whether used as a form of payment to the gods or consumed as a celebratory treat, it’s clear that the Mazatec people revere chocolate and attribute great value to its use and consumption. Munn concluded the interview by talking about the importance of thinking about the origin of products that we so enjoy and often take for granted. “I think that something really interesting to remember is this notion that, in ancient times, cacao beans were a form of money. You know, this tradition is still continuing in this culture, which is pretty amazing.”

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Huautla de Jiménez

Currently one of the most influential food celebrities, Anthony Bourdain, host of such television programs as "No Reservations" and "The Layover," recently praised the emerging cuisine of Baja California in an interview with the Austin American-Statesman newspaper. Known for his adventurous approach to food and travel, Chef Bourdain found both in abundance in Mexico.

Bourdain says some of the best and least-appreciated food in the world is coming out of Baja. Chef Bourdain calls the cuisine his ‘dark horse’ due to his belief that the food from the state of Baja California is bound to become a major culinary influencer.

Bourdain recently traveled to Tijuana and Ensenada to explore the food and drink offerings in Baja California. While there, Bourdain tweeted that “La Guerrerense tostadas in Ensenada best meal in Baja so far. Incredible. Complex, sophisticated, fresh--and sold from a street cart!” 

Bourdain also praised shrimp cocktails in Ensenada along with shellfish and Mexican mescal in Tijuana. While in Baja, Bourdain also rode dirt bikes on the beach and shared these pictures with his followers on Twitter.

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Ensenada

American cuisine celebrity Rick Bayless, mostly known for his Iron Chef America participation and appearance in Top Chef, recently visited Baja California, Mexico to tape 13 episodes for his PBS television series “Mexico, One Plate at a Time.” On a YouTube video, Bayless shared his experience while taping: “The reason why I am so captivated with this place is because of the incredible products that you can find here, amazingly talented chefs, seafood, world-class wines. It’s pretty stunning what you can find here.” Bayless also added, “I love the fact that so many of the producers here are working organically or they are talking about sustainable seafood, it is a place that I encourage everybody to come and explore. It is amazing, it will blow your mind.”

Bayless, who was also recently named one of "100 Most Powerful Chicagoans" by Chicago Magazine, was born into a family of restaurateurs and grocers, and specializes in traditional Mexican cuisine with a modern style. Back in the 80s, Bayless and his wife lived in Mexico where he wrote his first book “Authentic Mexican: Regional Cooking From The Heart of Mexico”. 

On the YouTube video, Bayless also said he will be planning to visit Baja California in September for a chef festival he heard about during his visit.

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On Saturday, March 24th, Pope Benedict XVI will hold meetings at the Conde Rul House, the seat of the State Government of Guanajuato. Following these meetings, the Pope will greet and bless children and other faithful gathered in Guanajuato’s Plaza de la Paz, the main administrative centre of Guanajuato and the heart of the city. 

The Plaza de la Paz is a popular location for prominent individuals to visit, so the Papal procession should be beautiful, as the buildings and monuments surrounding the plaza are some of the most charming in all of Mexico. For instance, following Mexico’s independence, nobles and businessmen of Guanajuato occupied the buildings surrounding the plaza. To this day, these colonial architecture buildings still retain their elegance, as most have been converted into restaurant cafes and shops. 

The monument in the centre of the Plaza de la Paz was constructed to remember the centenary of the end of Mexican war independence and was inaugurated by the president Porfirio Diaz in 1903.

Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate an open-air Mass in the morning on March 25 at Silao's Guanajuato Bicentenario Park, an outdoor venue that it is expected to accommodate about 750,000 people, who will need a ticket to enter, officials said.

Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to visit three cities in Guanajuato state during his time in Mexico before continuing on to Santiago, Cuba.

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In the Bahía Magdalena (Magdalena Bay), whale-watching excursions offer an intimate look at nature. The Fronteras’ journalism staff easily spotted about a dozen whales and calves on one expedition while whale watching in Mexico. Among the whales that travelers can spot in the area, California Gray Whales are abound and can be observed sticking their heads up in the air or displaying their tail fins while diving. If you’re lucky, one will actually pull up to the side of a boat. 

Magdalena Bay is situated right on the western coast of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. Sand dune islands surround this bay on the Pacific Ocean side and mangroves surround the other side.

Baja California has a wealth of resources and natural beauty to keep travelers coming back year after year. With tourism attributing for a portion of Baja California’s economy, the whale watching season is seen as vital to the local economy.

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Puerto San Carlos

Mexico’s commitment to creating renewable energy through wind power is evident, with the nation recently reaching a capacity of 1,000 megawatts of installed wind energy. 

The development of wind farms continues to grow, with the North American Development Bank (NADBank) and Border Environment Cooperation Commission having recently received certification and secured financing for a 54-megawatt wind energy farm in Reynosa, Tamapulipas.

“NADB is pleased to participate in this important project that will contribute to clean energy generation and is part of Mexico’s efforts to combat climate change,” said NADBank Managing Director Gerónimo Gutiérrez.

This is the first-ever bank-funded wind energy project in Mexico. The farm itself, Ejido El Porvenir, will be developed and operated by Compañía Eólica de Tamaulipas, S.A. de C.V. (CETSA). Consisting of 30 wind turbines with a capacity of 1.8 megwatts each, the electricity produced will be purchased by Mexican retailer Soriana. 

Ejido El Porvenir is anticipated to improve air pollution in Mexico, displacing more than 90,976 metric tons of carbon dioxide, 1,442 metric tons of sulfur oxide and 189 metric tons of nitrogen oxides of pollutants during each year of operation.

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Reynosa

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. 

In an interview with AlertNet, Tudela emphasized Mexico’s stake in climate change negotiations, as the country itself is vulnerable to the effects of climate change – including floods and droughts. Last year, Mexico experienced its worst drought in 70 years, which affected nearly 70 percent of the country’s terrain. 

Mexico has long-been dedicated to improving its environmental stewardship. For example, the country is credited with successfully resurrecting the Mexico the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the COP16 in Cancun, Mexico.

In concert with this, Tudela highlighted a recent study endorsed by the government, called “The Economics of Climate Change in Mexico,” which stresses the need for Mexico to move to a low carbon, resilient economy. Specifically, the study indicates that “climate change has and will continue to have significant impacts on the Mexican economy and details impacts on a variety of sectors including agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and public health.”

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A new public art exhibit has taken “root” in Mexico City. “Raices” or “Roots” is an exhibit designed by Mexican artist Jose Rivelino Moreno Valle and intended to inspire reflection about Mexico's history. Rivelino brings 15 years of experimentation with diverse materials, forms, and themes to this public art in Mexico City that is on display until the end of February.  

A giant white root reaches fourteen historical sites within Mexico City, spilling across stone plazas and falling from the windows of colonial buildings. Curious visitors can spot the exhibit at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Fine Arts Palace, 18th century Corpus Christi Convent, Revolution Monument, or the National Museum of Art as well as the beginning of the roots installed at the Plaza of Three Cultures. 

Altogether the roots weigh a mighty twenty eight metric tons and measure three-quarters of a mile in length. The roots are comprised with a steel interior and surrounded in polyurethane and fiberglass. The $600,000 project was backed without the use of any public funds. 

Rivelino speaks to the nature of the project, “It's about questioning who we are; it's about trying to make a point about historical events.” 

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Mexico City
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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 value of Mexican forests is shown by the millions of dollars it generates each year. As nearly 95 percent of forests belong to small owners, part of the ‘Reforestamos Mexico’ initiative focuses on closing the gap between rural and urban sectors and promoting the right conditions that will foment green business practices as well as fair business practices. 

‘Reforestamos Mexico’ proposes five courses of action that aim at increasing Mexico’s competitiveness, social and ecological sustainability, and making sure that strategic and key players are involved in reforestation initiatives across the country. Click here to read more about the actions behind Reforestamos Mexico. 

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With just over a month until Pope Benedict XVI makes his much-anticipated visit to Cuba and Mexico, members of the Catholic Church in Mexico eagerly prepare for his arrival. The visit is significant in multiple respects, as it indicates the church’s support of the people of Mexico as well as the continued development of the country.

Furthermore, the visit will be in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Latin American country’s independence. On this end, Pope Benedict XVI spoke passionately of the “journey of integration” which the continent has undergone, as well as its new emerging central role in the world.

“Who isn’t touched by the Mexicans’ affection for the Pope, by their enthusiasm when they come to see him in Rome?” said Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office. “Who doesn’t remember the triumphal welcome that they gave John Paul II during each of the five trips he made to Mexico in his lifetime; and today, when so many of them travel to the pilgrim shrine established in his memory?”

After spending his first night in Mexico City, Pope Benedict XVI will travel to León, Mexico’s 6th largest city, located in the state of Guanajuato. Here he will celebrate in Bicentennial Park, set up in the geographic center of Mexico to commemorate the country’s independence.

While it is still unclear how many members of the Catholic Church in Mexico will attend Sunday mass with the pope on March 25th, upward of 300,000 are expected to participate.

For Mexico and the city of Léon, the pope’s visit signifies much more than the opportunity to see an iconic religious leader. It represents the church’s public support of the Mexican people and, in a time of transition and growth for Mexico, it represents progress and hope for the country’s future.

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Leon
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MexicoToday caught up with a young tourist in Mexico City. She talked about her favorite things to do in Mexico, how much she loves Mexican street food, and some of her favorite Mexican locations, including Chapultepec Park.

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Mexico City

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.

According to a recent press release, Mexican subsidiary of Yorozu is expected to be in full operation by 2015, generating 230 jobs, in addition to sales close to MXP$800 million (US$62.5 million). The new factory in Guanajuato will be devoted to producing shock absorbers for vehicles.

This company, based in Yokohama (a few miles from Tokyo) pointed-out that the construction of the new plant responds to an increased demand in automotive manufacturing in Mexico. Yorozu already has another subsidiary in Aguascalientes.

The announcement by Yorozu comes just over a month after Japanese auto parts manufacturer DENSO said it planned to build a plant to produce air conditioning equipment in Guanajuato. DENSO Mexico, based in the northern city of Apodaca, plans to start constructing a $57 million new factory in March in Silao, a city in Guanajuato.

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Guanajuato

A new wind energy farm is anticipated to be built in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. This Chiapas wind farm, the first in the region, will provide 30 megawatts of wind generated energy to as many as 38 municipalities in Mexico. The wind farm will open in the first half of 2012 and provide the surrounding areas of Chiapas with valuable renewable energy power for many household and governmental needs. Rodríguez-Galán, a partner at Woodhouse, Lorente and Ludlow stated that the wind turbines will generate energy that could then be used for electricity and water pumping purposes.

This wind farm project is just one of many that has been implemented by the Mexican government in order to develop a more environmentally sustainable livelihood based on a reliance on renewable resources like wind generated energy in Mexico. In recent years, Mexico has begun creating solar power and wind farm projects all around Mexico. Mexico is also dedicated to raising awareness on the environmental state of the world to its citizens in order to reach these new green goals.

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Tuxtla Gutierrez

Mazatlán, Mexico is one of the premier locations for Mexican cuisine and culture. Known mostly for its wide variety of seafood and local fruits, Mazatlán has been one of the most popular Mexican tourist spots for years. However, recently tourists during the spring break period have begun to flock to Cancun or Cabo San Lucas. Mazatlán, nonetheless, has some of the best dining experiences, outdoor activities, and views in all of Mexico. Tourists can enjoy golfing, sport fishing, harbor cruising, and visiting historically significant colonial sites. Named after the Nahuatl word signifying “place of the deer”, Mazatlán was founded by Spanish and Indian settlers in the 1500s. Mazatlán is located on the Pacific Coast, approximately 16 miles from the Ocean and 275 miles northwest of Puerto Vallarta.

Many of the local Mazatlán restaurants feature authentic Mexican dishes including meat dishes and soups containing brains, tongue, and head. These delectable Mazatlán restaurants are known for their fresh fruits, vegetables, and savory sauces. Some authentic Mexican restaurants in the United States even seem to recreate the culinary essence of Mazatlán food. Dudley Nieto, a chef at San Gabriel Mexican Café in Bannockburn stated, “Whatever we need from Mexico, we can get in Chicago. It’s a blessing for Mexican restaurants.” He went on to say, “The seafood from Sinaloa is very exciting, and most of the produce, such as tomatoes and tomatillos, comes from Sinaloa.”

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Mazatlan

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico is revered as one of the most lavish and varied communities in all of Mexico. Known for its beautifully extravagant architecture, quaint cobblestone streets, rich cultural traditions, and pleasant weather, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico is also celebrated as an apex of art, literature, fashion, and photography. During World War II, American art students flocked to the Allende Institute and the Ignacio Ramírez "El Nigromante" Cultural Center. The Allende Institute gave individuals the ability to study and create art in peace during a time of war. Today, the amount of small boutiques, textile shops, galleries, and folk art stores are overflowing in San Miguel de Allende.

In addition, for tourists visiting, there is no shortage in sophisticated and diverse lodging options. The city has countless upscale hotels and bed and breakfasts. Some of the most popular places for tourists to stay include Casa Misha, Hotel Matilda, and Casa de Sierra Nevada. On top of San Miguel de Allende being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, there are endless amounts of things to see and do in this vibrant city of art and culture. Jane Onstott, American expat and local resident of San Miguel de Allende, declared simply “Life is just so easy here.”

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San Miguel de Allende
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MexicoToday spoke with a businessman visiting Mexico City. He talked about enjoying the food in Mexico, especially marisco, or shellfish. He raved about the experience, and especially enjoyed the culture of Mexico City.