From rainforests to deserts, Mexico boasts a wealth of species. Explore its biodiversity and the challenges of conservation with Mexicanist.
History
Mexico's heat waves are a decades-long problem, worsening due to global warming. From the 1990s to 2024, cities faced scorching temperatures, causing health risks, water shortages and ecological damage.
Biodiversity
Desertification and drought threaten Mexico, fueled by climate change and human actions. Traditional farming suffers, forcing rural youth to cities. This land loss weakens cultural heritage and risks turning fertile soil to dust.
Biodiversity
40% of Earth's soil is degraded, threatening food and water security. Soil contamination is a major problem, but treatable with bioremediation (using microbes to clean). Different methods work for various contaminants.
Biodiversity
Climate change heats up Mexico's agriculture, slashing rain-fed crop yields by up to 80%. Corn, beans, wheat — all feeling the heat. New resistant crops and better research funding offer hope.
Cuisine
Fiddlehead ferns, spring's fleeting treasure, are enjoyed for their asparagus-like taste and delightful crunch. Found in forests or shops, these tightly coiled fronds demand gentle treatment (blanch and sauté).
Science
Cows are major methane emitters, hurting the environment. But scientists are finding ways to reduce this impact. By tailoring cattle diets and even trying out additives like lemon tea, researchers are working on creating a more sustainable future for beef and dairy production.
Originals
In Mexico, the Tabebuia Rosea tree is a powerful guardian and symbol of spring. It fights cyclones and sheds flowers as a defense tactic. With its pink blooms, it embodies both strength and beauty, like a warrior in a guayabera shirt.
Politics
Mexico's Climate Change Commission recognizes "blue carbon" in coastal ecosystems and prioritizes their protection for carbon capture. This strengthens national climate policy and positions Mexico as a leader in ocean conservation for climate change mitigation.
Biodiversity
A Mexican study shows 90% of Natural Protected Areas effectively curb deforestation, a major win for biodiversity conservation. These areas are vital for safeguarding Mexico's rich plant and animal life.
Biodiversity
Mexico boasts a stunning variety of birds, but 65% face threats. From habitat loss to feral cats, these feathered friends need our help. World Migratory Bird Day highlights the importance of protecting birds and their insect food source to ensure a healthy ecosystem for all.
Biodiversity
Cities are heating up due to urban heat islands, impacting health and energy use. Experts discuss solutions like green spaces and building design, but note challenges like economic inequality where lower income areas often have less green space.
Politics
Mexico's maguey cactus, key to tequila and culture, faces threats. The proposed law aims to regulate and protect this iconic plant, ensuring its survival and the future of maguey-dependent communities.
Cuisine
Summer's bounty brings an abundance of fruits and vegetables. Harvest leafy greens carefully to ensure continued growth, and pick root vegetables in October. Enjoy fresh produce, but preserve excess by freezing, bottling, and making preserves or liqueurs.
Biodiversity
Mexican cities face a “Day Zero” with dry taps due to overuse and pollution. Uneven water distribution and reliance on distant sources worsen the crisis. From thirsty farms to sinking cities, water scarcity threatens life itself. Can Mexico innovate and conserve to avoid a parched future?
Originals
Parched land forces family to use ancestral knowledge to extract life-giving, sweet-salty water from specially-salted young coconuts. This “elf in a shell” becomes a symbol of hope and resilience in a harsh, dust-choked world.
Biodiversity
Mexico's Parliament creates Climate Observatory to monitor gov't action on climate change. Independent experts will be chosen by lawmakers to ensure ambitious goals are met and Mexico upholds its commitments under the Paris Agreement.