With the expected U.N. climate deal in Copenhagen this December the emerging market of carbon credits could be the saving grace for the remaining Mexican rain forests.  Mexico has less than 10% of  its rain forests left. Uncontrolled population growth and the corresponding development have depleted the forests over the last two decades.   Now the subsistence activities of collecting fuel wood and agricultural clearing could threaten what rain forest is remaining.

But it is expected that participating countries in the U.N. Climate Change Conference in December will establish the use of carbon credits as a way to curb carbon emissions. Countries that emit more carbon than they should will be able to buy carbon credits from countries that have rain forests by paying to get the emerging countries to preserve their rain forests.

Mexico must make a choice. Should they develop their remaining rain forest or not. By introducing carbon as a commodity that a secondary market supports the choice becomes easier. They now can achieve economic gain by preserving the natural resource. Let’s hope all developing countries see the light.