Tijuana's Green Scene: A Photo Essay on Sustainability (or Lack Thereof)

so, i landed in tijuana last week with my camera and a bunch of preconceptions. let's be real, when people think of tj, they don't exactly think of sustainability. but as a freelance photographer, i'm always on the lookout for stories that challenge the norm. i spent a week wandering the streets, from the tourist spots to the colonias, trying to capture what this city is doing, or not doing, when it comes to being green.

first, the weather. it's that time of year when the air feels like a warm, wet blanket, but the sun still manages to punch through. think of it as a steamy embrace that makes you sweat through your shirt in seconds. and the neighbors? just a short drive up the coast you have rosarito, which is a beach town with a bit more greenery, or a flight to los angeles if you want a taste of a bigger, more organized sustainability scene.

now, let's talk facts. i did some digging while i was there. rent in the centro historico? around $500 a month for a small studio, but it's going up because of all the new development. the job market? it's a mixed bag. there's a growing tech scene in the zona rio, but also a lot of informal work. and safety? well, that's a whole other conversation. let's just say you have to be smart about where you go and when. the locals are friendly, but they'll warn you about certain areas. more on that later.

here's what i found about sustainability:

- there are community gardens popping up in colonias like cerro colorado. people are turning vacant lots into little urban farms. it's not much, but it's something.
- the recycling scene? let's just say it's not exactly efficient. i saw a lot of plastic bottles and bags in the canyons. but there are some grassroots efforts. check out this group on reddit: tijuana_recycle
- public transportation is hit or miss. there are buses, but they're old and not very clean. the new trolley system is better, but it only covers a few areas. yelp reviews for the trolley are mixed
- energy use is a big issue. with the heat, everyone uses ac, which means a lot of energy consumption. but i did see some solar panels on rooftops in the more affluent areas.

now, for some overheard gossip. i spent a lot of time in cafes and bars, and you pick up things:

> "man, the government talks about going green, but then you see the new skyscrapers going up and they're not even LEED certified. it's all for show."

that was from a guy at a coffee shop in zona rio.

another one:

> "you want to see sustainability? go to the mercados. the vendors use their own bags and most of the produce is local. that's real sustainability, not the fancy stuff they talk about in the papers."

heard that while waiting for tacos.

and finally:

> "watch out for the pollution in the canyons. it's bad for your lungs, and it's getting worse. the government says they're cleaning it up, but i haven't seen much."

now, let me show you some of what i captured. i took these shots during my time there.

this is one of the community gardens in cerro colorado. it's not much, but it's hope in concrete.

and then:

this is a shot of the trolley. it's clean, but the network is small.

my take? tijuana is a city of contradictions. there are pockets of green life, but the overall picture is still messy. it's not the sustainability hub of the world, but it's trying. and sometimes, trying is all you can do.

if you're thinking of visiting, or even moving here, here's some drunk advice: stick to the main areas at first, and don't be afraid to talk to locals. they know the best spots and the ones to avoid. tripadvisor has some decent tips but take them with a grain of salt. and if you're into photography like me, the light here is incredible.

so, is tijuana green? not yet. but there are shoots of hope. and that's enough for now.

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