Bell Ringer: 1)Let’s Discuss- EQ: How is Latin America “Positively” impacted by location, climate, and natural resources? 1)Let’s Discuss- EQ: How is Latin America “Positively” impacted by location, climate, and natural resources?

Latin America’s Environmental Issues

Unit 6 Notes EQ: Analyze the environmental effects of Latin America’s use of location, natural resources, and climate.

Amazon Rainforest

◊largest rainforest in the world (most is in Brazil) ◊experiences a hot, humid, & rainy tropical climate ◊Positives? Home to a huge variety of plants, trees, insects, birds, & animals ◊produces 1/3 of the earth’s oxygen ◊largest rainforest in the world (most is in Brazil) ◊experiences a hot, humid, & rainy tropical climate ◊Positives? Home to a huge variety of plants, trees, insects, birds, & animals ◊produces 1/3 of the earth’s oxygen

Causes of Environmental Concerns: ◊In the 1950s, the Brazilian government began building a major highway system. opened rainforest to loggers ◊Brazil’s population has increased— parts of rainforest are being cut down to create farms ◊In the 1950s, the Brazilian government began building a major highway system. opened rainforest to loggers ◊Brazil’s population has increased— parts of rainforest are being cut down to create farms

Before…

After…

Results of Deforestation… ◊Plants & animals are losing their homes; many are endangered, and some are becoming extinct. ◊Loss of trees increases carbon dioxide, a gas that contributes to global warming. ◊Erosion of minerals & soil ◊Plants & animals are losing their homes; many are endangered, and some are becoming extinct. ◊Loss of trees increases carbon dioxide, a gas that contributes to global warming. ◊Erosion of minerals & soil

Solutions for deforestation ◊The government is working to fix the deforestation problem by passing laws on cutting down too many trees. ◊What else can be done? ◊Protecting Vegetation Propogation ◊The government is working to fix the deforestation problem by passing laws on cutting down too many trees. ◊What else can be done? ◊Protecting Vegetation Propogation

Air Pollution Over Mexico City

Air Pollution Background ◊Population of 20 million ◊2nd most populated city in the world— (Tokyo is first) ◊city’s population & location contribute to its bad air pollution problem ◊considered to be the most polluted city in the world ◊Population of 20 million ◊2nd most populated city in the world— (Tokyo is first) ◊city’s population & location contribute to its bad air pollution problem ◊considered to be the most polluted city in the world

Causes & Effects of Air Pollution 1.huge population = lots of cars/SO2 2.high elevation= less oxygen = fuels don’t fully burn! --higher level of gases that harm eyes, lungs, & the heart 3. Sierra Madre mountains - surround city & trap in polluted air 1.huge population = lots of cars/SO2 2.high elevation= less oxygen = fuels don’t fully burn! --higher level of gases that harm eyes, lungs, & the heart 3. Sierra Madre mountains - surround city & trap in polluted air

Surrounded by Mountains…

Solutions ◊Promotes public transportation (buses, subway). ◊Testing buses that run on cleaner burning fuels. ◊New restrictions on car use ◊Workshops to teach people about the environment ◊Promotes public transportation (buses, subway). ◊Testing buses that run on cleaner burning fuels. ◊New restrictions on car use ◊Workshops to teach people about the environment

Oil in Venezuela: Causes? ◊Money from selling oil is the country’s main source of income. ◊Venezuelans are motivated to keep producing, selling, and burning oil--and polluting. ◊Money from selling oil is the country’s main source of income. ◊Venezuelans are motivated to keep producing, selling, and burning oil--and polluting.

Oil Rigs

Result of Drilling for Oil…

Oil-Related Pollution in Venezuela ◊Venezuela is one of the world’s leading producers of oil has been producing oil for about 100 years ◊Oil production has boosted economy Main source of income for many people ◊Oil production results in toxic wastes, air pollution, & oil spills ◊Venezuela is one of the world’s leading producers of oil has been producing oil for about 100 years ◊Oil production has boosted economy Main source of income for many people ◊Oil production results in toxic wastes, air pollution, & oil spills

Effects… ◊Venezuela’s coast has become polluted with oil. oil spills have damaged the environment With polluted water, fishermen struggle to make money. ◊Destruction of a major food chain… ◊Venezuela’s coast has become polluted with oil. oil spills have damaged the environment With polluted water, fishermen struggle to make money. ◊Destruction of a major food chain…

More Problems… ◊Venezuela leads South America in the production of carbon dioxide, (a by- product of burning fossil fuels) like natural gas & oil. can cause breathing problems for children & elderly contributes to global warming ◊Venezuela leads South America in the production of carbon dioxide, (a by- product of burning fossil fuels) like natural gas & oil. can cause breathing problems for children & elderly contributes to global warming

Still More Problems… ◊Oil businesses have damaged Lake Maracaibo (largest lake in South America). ◊Large amounts of oil have been removed from the area so the land is changing. eastern shore of the lake is dropping about three inches a year which is causing flooding. government is having to take precautions to keep water from flooding into nearby towns ◊Oil businesses have damaged Lake Maracaibo (largest lake in South America). ◊Large amounts of oil have been removed from the area so the land is changing. eastern shore of the lake is dropping about three inches a year which is causing flooding. government is having to take precautions to keep water from flooding into nearby towns

Solutions… ◊People are becoming aware that the cost in the long term may be too great. ◊Groups are calling for renewable energy sources and the clean-up and prevention of pollution. ◊What are ways we can clean up this situation? Chemicals, Bacteria, burning, and natural methods like fungus. ◊People are becoming aware that the cost in the long term may be too great. ◊Groups are calling for renewable energy sources and the clean-up and prevention of pollution. ◊What are ways we can clean up this situation? Chemicals, Bacteria, burning, and natural methods like fungus.

1.On the last page of your environmental brochure, take you concerns to social media! If you could post one tweet regarding the rainforest, what hashtag would you use? 2.Now make a status update for your Facebook page regarding the air pollution in Mexico City. 3.Finally, Create a picture for Instagram. What kind of visual image do want to send out to impact viewers on the issue of oil production. 4.Need help? Watch this 5 minute video summary of what we just learned. It has no words, just a persuasive visual. 1.On the last page of your environmental brochure, take you concerns to social media! If you could post one tweet regarding the rainforest, what hashtag would you use? 2.Now make a status update for your Facebook page regarding the air pollution in Mexico City. 3.Finally, Create a picture for Instagram. What kind of visual image do want to send out to impact viewers on the issue of oil production. 4.Need help? Watch this 5 minute video summary of what we just learned. It has no words, just a persuasive visual. In Summary, Video