Environmental Issues in Latin America SS6G2 The student will discuss environmental issues in Latin America a. Explain the major environmental concerns of Latin America regarding the issues of air pollution in Mexico City, Mexico, the destruction of the rain forest in Brazil, and oil-related pollution in Venezuela

Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City, Mexico capital of Mexico population over 19 million people Mexico’s largest city built by the Spanish after they destroyed the original city of Tenochtitlán in Lake Texcoco located in the Valley of Mexico, surrounded by Sierra Madre mountains

Air Pollution Over Mexico City

Air Pollution Over Mexico City

Causes population & location contribute to air pollution problem emissions from factories and automobiles. Wind not strong enough to blow pollution over the mountains, bowl effect high elevation--less oxygen so fuels don’t fully burn

Surrounded by Sierra Madre mountains

Results of air pollution Pollutants harm eyes, lungs, and the heart. creates acid rain

Solutions program limiting how often you can drive your car, promotes public transportation testing buses that run on cleaner-burning fuels strict inspections of emissions systems on cars changing the kind of fuel cars and factories use workshops to teach people about the environment

Amazon Rainforest

Amazon Rainforest important environment of Brazil, and the world largest rainforest in the world most of the rainforest is in Brazil experiences a hot, humid, & rainy tropical climate home to a huge variety of plants, trees, insects, birds, & animals produces 1/3 of the earth’s oxygen

Amazon Rainforest Location

Destruction of the Amazon Rainforest Before… After… “slash and burn” farming

Causes road building farmers cutting down trees to plant crops (known as “slash and burn” farming cattle ranching Logging (deforestation) mining new settlements

logging cattle ranching

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.

animals losing their homes

Solutions Government is now setting aside large protected areas. Government is creating programs to plant new trees when older trees are cut down.

Venezuela

Oil-Related Pollution in Venezuela Oil provides about 50% of government revenue. Oil production has boosted economy, turning the once poor country of Ecuador into one of Latin America’s richest countries

Oil-related pollution in Venezuela

Causes Oil is the country’s main source of income, so people continue to produce, sell, and burn oil, creating more oil pollution. Occasional oil spills

Oil-related pollution in Venezuela

Results creates toxic wastes air pollution occasional oil spillage, seeps into water sources streams and rivers polluted, hurts fishing industry and shut down tourist resorts health problems (cancer, skin problems, breathing problems, and digestive tract problems)

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.