New report looks at the state of the North American environment

Fourteen key issues reviewed to identify challenges and opportunities for environmental cooperation in the NAFTA nations

The report addresses issues related to air and atmosphere, biodiversity and ecosystems, pollutants, and water. 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.

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.

Today, 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 Adrián 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.”

In addition to next week’s meeting of environment ministers, the CEC’s Joint Public Advisory Committee will host a major conference to discuss these and other issues as they pertain to North America’s environmental future. More information about the free North America 2030: An Environmental Outlook conference is available from <www.cec.org/outlook>. A webcast of both meetings will be available on the CEC’s website.

The North American Mosaic: An Overview of Key Environmental Issues describes environmental trends and conditions across Canada, Mexico and the United States and specifically focuses on the following topics. The report, as well as additional information, is available for download from: www.cec.org/soe.

Air and Atmosphere
Climate Change
Ground-level Ozone
Particulate Matter
Stratospheric Ozone

Biodiversity and Ecosystems
Land Use
Oceans and Coasts
Invasive Species
Species of Common Conservation Concern

Pollutants
Acid Deposition
Industrial Pollution and Waste
Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxic Substances

Water
Water Quality
Water Quantity and Use
Shared Water Resources