Mezcal Boom Sparks Sustainability Crisis.

A major investigative report released this month highlights a growing tension between Mexico’s booming spirits industry and its environmental health, specifically in the state of Oaxaca. Surging global demand has seen mezcal production jump from 1 million liters in 2010 to over 11 million liters today. This has led to the clearing of more than 86,000 acres of tropical dry and pine-oak forests to make room for agave monocultures. Local producers and scientists warn of severe soil erosion and water scarcity. In response, a grassroots collective called "Guardians of Mezcal" has formed to push for traditional polyculture farming. Mexico's Secretary of Environment is currently investigating nine major complaints regarding illegal land clearing by large-scale industrial producers

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