Environmental Issues of Brazil, Venezuela & Mexico

EQ: What are the Environmental Issues of Brazil, Venezuela & Mexico?

The Destruction of the Amazon Rain Forest Brazil: The Destruction of the Amazon Rain Forest

The Amazon Rain Forest Largest rain forest in the world. 2/3 of the world’s fresh water is found there. It covers over a billion acres. More than ½ of the world’s 10 million plants, animals, & insects live in the rain forest. At least 3000 fruits are found in the rain forest. 121 prescription drugs that are plant-derived medicines from the rain forest are being sold in the world. 20 % of the world’s oxygen is produced there.

The Amazon Rain Forest is also home to thousands of indigenous ppl that have little to no contact w/ the outside world.

Deforestation (video: 0:58) Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests in order to make the land available for other uses. Cutting down trees (logging) Slash & Burn Brazil Uncovered: The truth about deforestation (video: 3:08)

Causes: *** Many Brazilians live in poverty. One way these ppl. get money for their families to survive is to clear the forests and sell the timber. *** Humans use chain saws and bulldozers to clear large areas of the forest and haul away the trees. *** The cleared land can be used to start cattle ranching or to grow crops.

Effects: In the past 10 years, nearly 200,000 square miles of rain forest has been lost due to deforestation. Destruction of animal and plant habitat may lead to species extinction. Experts estimate that we are losing 137 plant, animal, and insect species every single day due to rainforest deforestation. There were an estimated ten million indigenous ppl. living in the Amazon 500 years ago. Today there are less than 200,000. (indigenous ppl. moved away)

Real World Example Article: Deforestation: Facts, Causes & Effects

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

Oil-Related Pollution Venezuela: Oil-Related Pollution

Oil in Venezuela Real World Example (video: 13:49)

Oil in Venezuela Venezuela is one of the largest producers of oil in the world. It is one of the top 4 sources of oil for the U.S. The money from oil sales accounts for about ½ of the government’s budget.

Causes: *** Venezuela relies on oil production and exportation to meet the country’s needs. *** Much of the GDP is a result of exporting oil to other countries.

Effects: Along the Caribbean Sea, Venezuela’s coast has become polluted with oil. Oil spills and tanker leaks are damaging the environment. Burning of oil has also caused breathing problems for children and the elderly. Drinking water has become contaminated, while animals suffer & die.

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.

Mexico City Air Pollution Video (6:10)

Air Pollution in Mexico City nearly 9 million people live here city’s population & location contribute to its bad air pollution problem considered to be the most polluted city in the world

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

Causes of Air Pollution cont. The factories and cars send pollution such as lead, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide into the air. Many of the cars are older models. The older cars produce even more pollution than typical new cars.

Mexico City, Mexico: Air Pollution Look at the picture to the above left. What is one reason you think Mexico City has such a pollution problem? Explain. 2. Look at the diagram above, What role does the sun play in Mexico City’s smog?

Answers The city is built in a bowl-shaped crater of an extinct volcano. The high elevation means that the air is thin, and the exhaust from cars and factories gets trapped in the valley. The intense sunlight helps to push smog even higher.

Effects Pollutants harm eyes, lungs, and the heart. creates acid rain Harmful to surface waters (lakes and streams) and aquatic animals Harmful to forests Damages buildings, monuments and other materials Creates poor visibility

Solutions Drivers must leave their cars at home one day each week. Citizens are encouraged to ride buses, subways, trains, bicycles or to carpool to work. Cars are inspected more often (emissions). Those with very bad exhaust problems must be repaired. The city is also testing buses that run on cleaner burning fuels.