southwest center for environmental research and policy centro de investigacin y poltica ambiental...

SOUTHWEST CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND SOUTHWEST CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND POLICYPOLICY

CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIÓN Y POLÍTICA AMBIENTAL DEL SUROESTECENTRO DE INVESTIGACIÓN Y POLÍTICA AMBIENTAL DEL SUROESTE



The U.S.-Mexican Border The U.S.-Mexican Border Environment and SCERPEnvironment and SCERP

D. Rick Van Schoik, Managing DirectorSCERP/CIPAS

Journalists briefing November 2003



AGENDAAGENDA• People versus Population • Profit versus Poverty • Pollution versus Planet • Policy versus Politics • SCERP and the Border



POPULATIONPOPULATION

By 2030, the binational population along the 2,000-mile border is expected to double to approximately 24 million inhabitants.

1995 2000 2010 202010000000

12500000

15000000

17500000

20000000

22500000

25000000

27500000

HighMediumLow

Population Projections for Border Counties and Municipios



PEOPLEPEOPLE

Border Population is more than a number. The demand for services, infrastructure, and food create additional stresses on the border environment.

Estimated cost of needed border infrastructure is $8.5 billion.



PROFITPROFIT• Maquiladora industry grows due to

proximity to United States and lowcost of labor (over 2,000 maquilas as of 2001)

Capital investment ≠ DEVELOPMENT• U.S. agriculture policiesMX rural misery

– (i.e.,lost competitiveness in MX corn production and increased imports of U.S. corn in Mexico)

∴ WTO/anti-globalization protests



POVERTYPOVERTY• US-MX border region is one of poorest in

North America• 9 out of 10 counties with lowest household

income rates • Low per capita income• High unemployment• Substandard living

conditions



POLLUTIONPOLLUTION• Air Pollution• Water Shortages and Pollution

in Cities and Colonias• Toxics and Hazardous Wastes• Pesticides• Lead



PLANETPLANET• Competition over

Transboundary and International Rivers

• Drought• Global Climate Change• Groundwater Depletion• Threats to Natural Ecosystems



POLICYPOLICY• Binational Programs

– La Paz Agreement Border Environmental Program Border XXI Border 2012

• Border Institutions – IBWC/CILA– BECC/NADBANK– CEC

• Other Local Programs (COBRO)• Border Liaison Mechanisms (BLMs)



POLITICSPOLITICS• Need Strategic Plan for the Border (BECC)• Border Environmental Infrastructure Fund

needs more resources (NADBANK)• Transboundary Environmental Impact

Assessment Needed (CEC)• Groundwater Treaty (IBWC)



CONTACT INFOCONTACT INFO

• www.scerp.org/STEP/

• [email protected]

• 619 594-0568

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

southwest center for environmental research and policy centro de investigacin y poltica ambiental...

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