Former Mexican president emphasizes need for climate improvement during ISU visit

Posted on March 23, 2017

By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – Former Mexican President Felipe Calderon spoke to a group of students Thursday at Illinois State University’s Bone Student Center.

Calderon was president in Mexico from 2006 to 2012. He’s recognized as the president who made Mexico’s economic recovery possible.

Calderon spoke at length about the need to slow climate change, which he said is no longer a question.

“Science has rested its case and climate change is associated with global warming,” said Calderon. “And global warming is associated with human behavior.”

Calderon is founder of the Sustainable Human Development Foundation. That group promotes low-carbon development alternatives for the world.

Calderon explained it is possible to have economic growth and improve the climate. However, he said it will take change, such as making better use of the land available.

“We need to stop deforestation everywhere. We need to recover degradated soils,” said Calderon. “And that implies, for instance, a consequence for agriculture. We need to use technology and most of that technology is available already.”

Calderon is also speaking Thursday night at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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