Mexico: First Developing Country to Enact Legislation Against Climate Change

In early June, President Felipe Calderon signed a law introducing climate change legislation. The bill was passed by a unanimous vote in the Senate back in April. This demonstrates an overwhelming consensus on climate change.

The law outlines several goals focussing on reducing the rate of greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy. By 2024, 35% of Mexico's energy will need to be generated from renewable resources. In addition, government buidlings will be mandated to use renewable energy.The rate of greenhouse gas reduction is 30% by 2020 and 50% by 2050.

The legislation is impressive for a developing country, especially a country that depends heavily on its oil exports. Most countries in this position fight climate change initiatives as they believe it will damage their oil economy. Mexico is leading the way for developing nations in climate change legislation.

Angelica Oman

Graduate Program Assistant

Stockholm-based Scandinavian Correspondent of the Times and Sunday Times of London Marcus Oscarsson to Participate in "EU Environmental Law" Course at Denver Law

Marcus Oscarsson, a recognized Swedish authority about European Union and U.S. politics, will moderate a discussion board about EU environmental politics and related issues in this summer's Denver Law course offering "European Union Environmental Law & Policy."  He is a long-time contributor to Denver Law's European Union-related courses, having first been a guest lecturer in 2004 and every year since.

Mr. Oscarsson, who has worked for the Swedish Government and the Swedish Parliament, has a background in economics and journalism.  He covers Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden for the Times and the Sunday Times of London and covers the U.S. 2012 Presidential election for Swedish broadcaster TV4.

He is a respected authority about U.S. politics.  In this regard, he has spoken about U.S. presidential campaigns, U.S. elections, and transatlantic relations at the Swedish Parliament, the Swedish Ministries for Foreign Affairs and Defense, the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm and the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise.

Don C. Smith, the director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law program at Denver Law, teaches "EU Law & Policy" as well as "EU Environmental Law & Policy."  He has asked Mr. Oscarsson to play a role in all of his EU courses, making these courses among the most unique of their kind in the U.S.

"Marcus is exceptionally well qualified to help students understand the always interesting and sometimes vexing relationship between the EU and the U.S.   This is vitally important in a world where the EU and U.S. are two of the key actors on nearly every issue one can imagine," Mr. Smith said.

"His vast experience in Europe as well as the fact that he has lived and worked in the U.S. make him one of the most insightful observers anywhere regarding the transatlantic relationship.  It is wonderful that he will be joining us and helping all of us understand this relationship, which anyone who is interested in how the world works really needs to understand."