Environment Quickly Degrading Along U.S.-Mexico Border

EarthVision Reports, 12 May 1999

SAN DIEGO, May 12, 1999—A new report by a group of U.S. and Mexican universities is calling on their respective governments to take immediate action to avoid a severe environmental collapse around the countries' borders. The authors of the report say the situation will deteriorate significantly in the future if population and economic growth continue at present rates without significant changes in regional development. The Los Angeles Times quoted the report as saying smarter land use planning along the 2,000-mile border is needed to avoid being overwhelmed by an expected population explosion, expanding trade and a stew of related environmental troubles. The report, which was issued by the San Diego-based Southwest Center for Environmental Research and Policy, also said fresh planning entities will be required, as will solutions tailored to the cities and towns sharing cross-border air pollution and dwindling water supplies. The report summarizes the findings of researchers, government officials and business representatives who met in December to plot the region's future. To deal with the problem, the researchers also suggest diversifying local economies with new industries, such as nature-based tourism, and greater efforts to reuse water and waste.