President Claudia Sheinbaum has signaled a major policy shift by opening the door to new natural gas extraction technologies, a decision that environmental groups and energy experts warn could be a dangerous leap into an environmental "dead end." During her daily press conference this week, Sheinbaum defended the exploration of non-conventional gas extraction techniques, … [Read more...] about From Opposition to Open Door: Sheinbaum’s New Fracking Policy Sparks Backlash from 80+ Civil Groups
Nature
Celebrity Wedding at Mexico’s ‘Desert Galápagos’ Triggers Shutdown of Protected Reserve
A celebrity wedding in one of Mexico's most ecologically sensitive nature reserves has set off a firestorm of criticism — and touched off a federal crackdown that closed popular natural sites just as the Semana Santa holiday season kicked off. The controversy centers on Alfredo Cantú, a Mexican content creator known online as "Un Tal Fredo," who married his partner, Adrián … [Read more...] about Celebrity Wedding at Mexico’s ‘Desert Galápagos’ Triggers Shutdown of Protected Reserve
Jaguar Spotted in Guanajuato for First Time: Cameras Capture Rare Sighting in Sierra Gorda Reserve
For the first time, scientists have recorded a jaguar in the state of Guanajuato, marking a significant expansion of the species’ range in central Mexico. The National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp) confirmed that camera traps captured images of the jaguar inside the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. The reserve is in northeastern Guanajuato and spans nearly … [Read more...] about Jaguar Spotted in Guanajuato for First Time: Cameras Capture Rare Sighting in Sierra Gorda Reserve
Thirst for Growth: Mezcal’s Global Appeal Strains Oaxaca’s Land and Water
What was once a small-scale tradition is now a global phenomenon. International demand has pushed Mexican mezcal production from approximately 1 million liters in 2010 to over 11 million liters in 2024, according to the Mexican Regulatory Council for Mezcal Quality (Comercam). Nearly 75 percent of exports head to the United States, and less than 30 percent of total production … [Read more...] about Thirst for Growth: Mezcal’s Global Appeal Strains Oaxaca’s Land and Water
Mexico’s Fracking Reversal: Why President Sheinbaum Changed Course
The decision by the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum to permit fracking is not merely a minor policy change. It signals a willingness to prioritize practical economic results over long-held ideological promises, including those of her predecessor and political ally, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. For a country that relies heavily on imported gas and has a state … [Read more...] about Mexico’s Fracking Reversal: Why President Sheinbaum Changed Course