The North American Institute

The North American Institute: NAMI was founded in 1988 to deepen understanding and to promote new approaches to North American issues. A unique trinational organization, NAMI’s spirit derives from the vision of founders Maurice Strong, Bruce Babbitt and Jesus Silva Herzog, and developed by Susan Herter, John Wirth and Senator Jack Austin of Canada.
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CANADA NEWS:

Our True North

The New York Times, July 1, 2009 - “Today, on Canada Day, 11 Canadians living in the United States share what they miss most about home. UNTIL 1982, Canada Day was known as Dominion Day. I always thought that had more of a ring to it. Beyond the zippy alliteration, it reminded us citizens that our domain of orderly domesticity was graced by the dominant power of our “Dominus.” And the rights granted therein to us by the glorious English crown through her colonial appointee, the right honourable governor general.There was another problem with Dominion Day. Dominion was the name of a national grocery store chain. It would be like calling the Fourth of July D’Agostino’s Day. Independence (now there’s a great name for a day!) came slowly to our country. In 1965, we dumped the old, staid British ensign for our own new flag. in lIt’s the one with the big red maple leaf in the middle. A simple, sweet leaf! We also have moose and beavers on our coins. And we call our dollars loonies because the coin has an image of a loon. Another old bird, the Queen of England, is on the other side of the coin. Read More.

MEXICO NEWS:

Calderon: Pemex Must Be Freed From “Ideological” Prejudice

Herald Tribune, June 12, 2009 - “Mexican President Felipe Calderon said state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos must be freed from political and ideological “prejudice” and from interests that have prevented it from remaining in the vanguard in terms of technology and investment. During the inauguration of the 2009 Mexican Petroleum Congress in the eastern state of Veracruz, Calderon said he will try to make sure Mexico once again becomes a world “oil power” because of that industry’s importance in spurring the country’s “growth and development.” Speaking to representatives of more than 100 oil companies from 17 countries, he said the recent decline in the Mexican state oil company’s output and the strides made by its counterparts in other parts of the world have left Pemex in a position of relative backwardness. Compared with other state-run firms, Pemex is the third-largest crude oil producer, the 11th biggest integrated oil and gas company and in 12th place in terms of proven reserves. “Today, thanks to the reform of Pemex (approved in October 2008), we have the chance to improve the company’s exploration and production capacity,” the president said. Calderon last year sought to push a controversial plan through Congress to overhaul Pemex, including allowing the cash-strapped company to take on private oil firms as full partners in the exploration and drilling of new deepwater deposits in the Gulf of Mexico.” Read More.

UNITED STATES NEWS:

Just Do It

The New York Times, July 1, 2009 - “There is much in the House cap-and-trade energy bill that just passed that I absolutely hate. It is too weak in key areas and way too complicated in others. A simple, straightforward carbon tax would have made much more sense than this Rube Goldberg contraption. It is pathetic that we couldn’t do better. It is appalling that so much had to be given away to polluters. It stinks. It’s a mess. I detest it. Now let’s get it passed in the Senate and make it law. Why? Because, for all its flaws, this bill is the first comprehensive attempt by America to mitigate climate change by putting a price on carbon emissions. Rejecting this bill would have been read in the world as America voting against the reality and urgency of climate change and would have undermined clean energy initiatives everywhere. More important, my gut tells me that if the U.S. government puts a price on carbon, even a weak one, it will usher in a new mind-set among consumers, investors, farmers, innovators and entrepreneurs that in time will make a big difference — much like the first warnings that cigarettes could cause cancer. The morning after that warning no one ever looked at smoking the same again. Ditto if this bill passes. Henceforth, every investment decision made in America — about how homes are built, products manufactured or electricity generated — will look for the least-cost low-carbon option. And weaving carbon emissions into every business decision will drive innovation and deployment of clean technologies to a whole new level and make energy efficiency much more affordable. That ain’t beanbag. Read More.