Monday, September 8, 2008

Message from President Felipe Calderón as Part of the Second State of the Union Address

Environment

Dear citizens,
 
Truly sustainable human development can only be understood by respecting the environment. That is why we are investing heavily to obtain the resources we need to live and progress from nature, without jeopardizing the existence of the environment.
 
Living better means that we can all have enough water of sufficient quality without depriving future Mexicans of it.
 
We have launched ten new plants for potable water to benefit over 1 million Mexicans. At the same time, during my administration we have started operating 86 new wastewater treatment plants in order to use wastewater for agriculture and industry, keeping drinking water for human consumption and restoring it to nature in a clean state.
 
In order to prevent the risks associated with water management in key population centers, we are promoting the Integral Water Plan for the Valley of Mexico, the Integral Water Plan for the State of Tabasco, and the Program to Clean Up Acapulco Bay.
 
In order to supply safe drinking water for the San Luis Potosí Metropolitan Zone, we have begun inviting tenders for the El Realito Dam, and for providing potable water for the cities of Guadalajara and León, and the Arcediano and El Zapotillo dams.
 
Living better implies protecting the country’s enormous natural wealth. That is why, during my administration, we have decreed six new Natural Protected Areas, through which we have managed to turn 11 per cent of national territory into Natural Protected Areas.
 
In order to live better, we not only need to protect natural resources but also to provide the opportunity for a decent life and income for Mexicans who are its owners, especially in the country's most marginalized communities.
 
Pro-Tree benefits nearly 7 million people, whom we pay to reforest, restore the soil, preserve forests and woods, and set up forestry plantations in the places where they live.
 
Thus, in addition to managing to preserve over 600,000 hectares of extra forest land last year, we have also given indigenous and rural communities the possibility of earning a decent income.
 
We must reverse the damage man caused the environment for years. That is why in 2007 we planted 253 million trees, and this year we will plant another 280 million.
 
On July 5, a historic day, citizens, children, adults and families planted nearly nine and a half million trees in a single day.
 
Living better means protecting our environment, improving air quality and reducing the effects of climate change. Today, Mexico has a National Climate Change Strategy, which serves as an international example.
 
We have consolidated our position of leadership by promoting the creation of a Green Fund among all nations, which has been approved by the World Bank.
 
The aim is to reward countries that take care of the environment with financial resources and to help the poorest countries invest in environmental protection.
 
Living better means making better, cleaner use of our natural resources. That is why we are working to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources.
 
For example, we inaugurated the first large-scale wind energy plant in the state of Oaxaca, which is the largest in Latin America, and we have promoted hydroelectric projects that will enable us to produce more electricity without releasing carbon emissions into the atmosphere, such as the construction of the El Cajón and La Yesca dams.
 
We are investing in the generation of clean energy to build a strong, clean, sustainable Mexico.
 
Together, society and government will be able to construct a clean Mexico that will last forever. A Mexico in which everyone, not only the Mexicans of today but also the Mexicans of tomorrow, will be able to live better.
 
Thank you.

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Presidency of the Republic, September 4, 2008, Mexico City

Translation Presidency of the Republic