U.S, Canada, and Mexico Make Clean Energy Pledge for 2025

Posted by: Higgins_James // Student

The United States, Canada, and Mexico’s leaders have pledged to source 50% of their overall electricity through clean energy by 2025. President Obama, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and President Enrique Pena Nieto met at a one day summit on June 28 in Ottawa to talk about the dangers of climate change. The “Three Amigos” have banded together in an effort to reduce greenhouse gasses from the gas and oil sector and to move towards cleaner means of power.

North American leaders see this clean energy plan as an opportunity to deepen our relationship with one another by not only trade but for continental pride. The pact not only includes renewable energy projects but also nuclear energy, increasing storage plants, and energy efficiency along with reducing carbon and methane emissions. The push for clean energy includes new ideas such as a cross-border electrical transmission project that would make trading across national borders much cleaner. U.S. officials say it’s an aggressive goal to reach but doable if we put our minds to it, and if the right lawmakers are put in place. To reach this goal, we are not only going to have to generate more sustainable energy projects, but also cut down on higher emission sources such as fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas).

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 37% of North America’s energy is currently provided by renewable and nuclear sources, with Canada being the frontrunner followed by the U.S. and Mexico. About a third of the United States energy is produced from nuclear and renewable energy sources with Mexico at approximately 20% and Canada at over 80%.

“For too long, we’ve heard that confronting climate change means destroying our economies” Said President Obama when making his speech to the Canadian parliament after the closing of the summit. “This is the only planet we’ve got and this may be the last shot we’ve got to save it. And America and Canada are going to have to lead the way.”

Do you think our goal is achievable? Why or why not? Should nuclear energy be counted in clean power plans? Leave comments below with your thoughts.

For more Information click the links below:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/06/27/u-s-canada-and-mexico-to-pledge-to-source-half-their-overall-electricity-with-clean-power-by-2025/
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/28/us-canada-and-mexico-pledge-50-of-power-from-clean-energy-by-2025