Mexico is facing a climate crisis as sea-level rise and increasingly severe storms erode its coastline and drought drains reservoirs dry. The impact of climate change is being felt across the country, with deadly heat straining both people and crops. Despite these challenges, the leading presidential candidate, Claudia Sheinbaum, has not made climate a central part of her campaign. Her mentor, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has prioritized fossil fuel production, leading to a push for an overhaul of the energy sector that favors oil and gas over renewable energy projects.
As the election approaches, a worsening water crisis is making it harder for political leaders to ignore Mexico’s climate threats. The sprawling Mexico City is facing water shortages due to persistent drought intensified by climate change, drawing the Cutzamala System to record lows. Neighborhoods not connected to the water system are feeling the impacts of delayed deliveries, with shortages even hitting restaurants and businesses in affluent areas. Residents are concerned about the future and are looking to political leaders like Sheinbaum to address the growing water crisis and take action against climate change.
Under President López Obrador’s leadership, Mexico has continued to prioritize fossil fuel production, despite the urgent need to transition towards renewable energy sources. This has resulted in limited progress on addressing climate change and reducing emissions. Sheinbaum, who supports keeping a majority of Mexico’s electricity generation under state control, has been relatively silent on global warming while focusing on other immediate political and economic needs. However, some hope she could take a more science-driven approach, pointing to her track record during the coronavirus pandemic as mayor of Mexico City.
Sheinbaum has laid out plans to address Mexico’s water crisis, emphasizing the need for a 30-year plan to better measure water use across sectors, particularly in agriculture. However, her plan lacks specific details on how the government will achieve these goals. Residents in areas like Iztapalapa are facing longer wait times and stricter rationing for water deliveries, indicating that the water problems in Mexico City are worsening. The upcoming election will be crucial in determining the country’s future approach to climate change and addressing the growing environmental challenges faced by Mexico.
Overall, Mexico is at a critical juncture as it grapples with the impacts of climate change, from eroding coastlines to severe water shortages. Political leaders like Sheinbaum are facing pressure to prioritize environmental issues and take action against climate change. The choices made in the upcoming election will have long-term implications for Mexico’s ability to adapt to a changing climate and transition towards more sustainable practices.
