I can… 1.Locate the major features of Latin America 2.Explain Latin America’s environmental problems

Latin America EQ: What are some of the environmental issues in Mexico City, Amazon, and Venezuela?

Mexico City –Heavily populated city, a lot of people live there (22 million+) –Mexico city was built on a drained lake. –Mountains surround most of Mexico city. –Mexico City can be compared to a city in a middle of big bowl Mexico City

Mexico City’s Air Pollution Causes –Air pollution (smog) is major problem –Causes: 1.Overcrowding (too many people in Mexico City) causes more pollution 2.Industrialization : new factories let out too much pollution

Mexico City’s Air pollution Causes 3. Vehicle Emissions (pollution for a car’s muffler) 3 million cars in Mexico city 4. Mountains surround Mexico City from the East, West and South which helps to trap the polluted air.

Mexico City’s Air Pollution Effects Mexico City’s Air pollution –Effects 1.Damage to vegetation (plants) 2.Damage to Atmosphere

Mexico City’s Air Pollution Effects 3. Health related problems for humans (lung/breathing problems) 4. Leads to acid rain which damages some of Mexico’s ancient monuments –Lost carvings and writings on walls

Mexico Government Solution Government Intervention: 1.Government has replaced driving restrictions on people living in Mexico City. Drivers must leave their cars at home at least one day of the week

Mexico Government Solution 3. The government is trying to reduce air pollution by encouraging people to walk or to take a city bus or train. 4. Citizens cars are inspected to find their level of pollution 5. High polluting factories may be closed by the government.

Amazon Rain Forest The following pictures are of the Amazon River and Amazon rain forest which are located in Brazil.

Amazon Rainforest –Produces 20% of the world’s oxygen –Contains many plants that are used to treat diseases

Amazon Rainforest –Products such as nuts, cocoa, and rubber can be found in the rainforest. –Deforestation: the clearing of large areas of the forest

Amazon Rain Forest Causes: Timber Trees are cut down and sold as timber (sometimes illegally) Many poor people in Brazil illegally cut down trees in Brazil in order to make money

Amazon Rain Forest Causes: Mining Land is cleared to mine (dig) for minerals such as gold, silver, iron and many other minerals.

Amazon Rain Forest Causes: Cattle Ranching & Farming Land is cleared to raise cattle or crops which can bring a lot of money for poor people

Amazon Rain Forest Causes: Growing Cities Brazil needs to cut trees from the Amazon rain forest in order to make room for growing cities.

Amazon Rain Forest Effects Scientist fear that the deforestation (cutting trees) of the Amazon rain forest will: 1. Increase the carbon dioxide, less trees to produce oxygen

Amazon Rain Forest Effects 2. Decrease in Native tribe Population 3. Decrease in Animal habitats (living space for animals)

Venezuelan Oil Pollution Venezuela is one of the worlds largest producers of oil and natural gas. 15% of oil sold in the U.S. come from Venezuela 50% of the money the Venezuelan government receives come from selling oil

Venezuelan Oil Pollution Pollution Causes 1.Oil Spills and tanker leaks have polluted Venezuela’s Caribbean Sea Coast 2.Venezuela burns natural gas and oil to make it useable for humans 3.Oil is being taken up from the land around Lake Maracaibo

Venezuelan Oil Pollution Pollution Effects 1.Venezuela is the region's top emitter of carbon dioxide. 2.Venezuela’s Caribbean coast is polluted with oil 3.Burning oil and natural gas has led to breathing problems for the children and elderly

Venezuelan Oil Pollution 4. Venezuelan fisherman are losing money due to the oil spills in the water. 5. Oil being dug up by Lake Maraciabo, the largest lake in South America, is threatening floods to nearby towns and cities.

Lake Maraciabo Digging for oil levels the land and causes flooding to nearby cities