Mexico’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, is a left-of-center climate scientist with a doctorate in energy engineering and a background in politics.
Somini Sengupta reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- Claudia Sheinbaum, former mayor of Mexico City, is known for her environmental initiatives, such as electrifying public transport and installing solar arrays.
- Despite her commitment to renewable energy, Sheinbaum supports maintaining oil production and state control of Pemex, Mexico’s indebted national oil company.
- She faces significant challenges, including balancing environmental goals with economic demands and addressing issues of poverty, migration, and crime.
Key quote:
"Claudia is an environmental scientist and unlike her mentor, AMLO, believes in decarbonization and in boosting renewables."
— Shannon O’Neil, Mexico specialist at the Council on Foreign Relations
Why this matters:
Mexico's election of a climate scientist as president highlights a potential shift toward more sustainable energy policies.
