Chapter 11: today’s issues in Latin America

RAINFOREST LAND USES Vegetation helps clean the atmosphere, regulate climate, and shelter millions of species Biodiversity: the variety of organisms within an ecosystem

CLEARING THE RAINFORESTS World demand for timber is high Farmers use slash and burn to create fields Ranchers clear forest for grazing land

POPULATION PRESSURE Brazil’s population should reach 200 million by 2020 This creates need for new houses (timber) and more living space

THE PRICE OF DESTRUCTION

DEFORESTATION Def: cutting down and clearing away of trees Long term effects far outweigh the short term

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS Trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen Deforestation leads to a build-up of CO2 This prevents heat from escaping the earth This builds up the temperature This is Global Warming

PLANTS AND ANIMALS IN DANGER 50% of the world’s plant and animal species are in the rainforest Plants are used to create new medicines

MOVING TOWARD SOLUTIONS

A JUGGLING ACT Countries struggle with how to balance economic concerns with environmental ones Move is to educate people as to the value of the rainforest

FIGHTING ECONOMICS WITH ECONOMICS Debt-for-nature swap: debt reducing deal wherein an organization agrees to pay off a certain amount of government debt in return for government protection of a certain portion of rain forest

SECTION 2: GIVING CITIZENS A VOICE

THE LEGACY OF COLONIALISM Rich and powerful ruled most countries during and immediately after Spanish rule (Oligarchy) Limited free speech, censoring of the press, punish dissent Junta: a govt run by generals after a military takeover

THE RULE OF THE CAUDILLO Caudillo: a military dictator or political boss Got support from the military and wealthy Ex: Juan Perón of Argentina, PRI of Mexico

ESTABLISHING STABLE DEMOCRACIES

GOALS OF REFORM Establish constitutional governments Participation of citizens Economic stability Gender and racial equality

LAND REFORM Def: process of breaking up large landholdings and giving portions of the land to land-poor peasant farmers