North America's Environment ministers issue statement

North America's top environment ministers underline the important role communities play in sustainability efforts

2012-07-13

(Press-News.org) New Orleans, 11 July 2012— With the conclusion of a successful meeting of the Council of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) on Community and Ecosystem Resilience in North America, North America's environment ministers Administrator Jackson, Minister Kent and Secretary Elvira, announced the modernization of the Submission on Enforcement Matters Process, a strengthened commitment to initiatives to Green the North American Economy, and a continued focus on streamlining the cooperative work program of the CEC.

Council welcomed dynamic participation from universities, community groups and government officials from Canada, Mexico and the United States at this year's annual meeting of Council in New Orleans, who are working to build resiliency to their changing environment and ecosystems.

Over the last two days the ministers spoke to participants that included both the mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana and Iqaluit, Nunavut; public health professionals from Alaska, United States and Lake Chapala, Mexico; and conservationists from Culiacán, Mexico and Saskatchewan, Canada.

To read full statement click here.

For full details on the 19th regular session of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) Council click here.

Joint Public Advisory Committee shares findings on building resilient communities

Prior to the Council Session, the CEC's Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) held a two-day workshop on Resilient Communities in North America. At this meeting, the JPAC introduced a new format where every person in the room was given a say in the final report Resilient Future: Voices of North Americans on Policy and Action. JPAC Chair Martín Gutiérrez Lacayo said, "from business executives to residents of low income minority communities near chemical plants facing severe environmental justice challenges, all participants were considered experts on the important issue of resilience." The report was presented to the CEC Council on July 11. To read the JPAC report (PDF) click here.

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is an intergovernmental organization that supports the cooperative environmental agenda of Canada, Mexico and the United States to green North America's economy, address climate change through promoting a low-carbon economy and protect its environment and the health of its citizens. The CEC is composed of three bodies: a Council representing the governments of the three member countries, a Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) that advises the Council and serves as a liaison with the public, and a Secretariat that provides supports the Council and the JPAC and prepares independent reports. The CEC brings together governments, civil society, and businesses to develop innovative North American solutions to global environmental challenges. Find out more at: www.cec.org

The Council, the CEC's governing body, is composed of the federal environment ministers (or equivalent) of the three countries, and meets at least once a year. The Council members are Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent, Mexican Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources, Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada, and US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson

###This event was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Federal Department of Environment, the Government of the United States of America through the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Government of the United States of Mexico, through the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales.

For more information:

Megan Ainscow
Communications Coordinator
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
mainscow@cec.org
438-827-8588

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North America's Environment ministers issue statement

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