New report looks at the state of the North American environment

June 19, 2008

14 key issues reviewed to identify challenges and opportunities for environmental cooperation in the NAFTA nations
In its latest state of the environment report the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) examines environmental issues facing the NAFTA partners.

The report addresses issues related to air and water, biodiversity and ecosystems, and pollution. Specific topics include climate change, species of concern—including the critically endangered vaquita porpoise—and the quality and quantity of water shared between the North American nations.

Caption: The North American Mosaic: An Overview of Key Environmental Issues addresses environmental issues related to air and water, biodiversity and ecosystems, and pollution. Credit: CEC

The North American Mosaic: An Overview of Key Environmental Issues is a follow-up to the CEC's 2002 state of the environment report and responds to the CEC Secretariat's obligation to periodically address environmental conditions in Canada, Mexico and the United States. With the advice of environmental reporting experts from the three countries, the report draws on information from national and international sources for a broad overview of North America's environment.

This report was presented to the environment ministers of Canada, Mexico and the United States in advance of their annual meeting, to be held in Ottawa, Canada, on 26 June.

"Over the next year, we will use this report, along with other important information, to engage the public, subject matter experts and governments in evaluating our progress to date and future opportunities for cooperation," said CEC Executive Director Adrían Vázquez-Gálvez.

"It will help us identify the central environmental challenges confronting North America, as well as the top priorities for cooperative action among the three countries to address these environmental challenges."

Source: Commission for Environmental Cooperation