Latin America’s Environmental Concerns Unit 6 Notes

Air Pollution Over Mexico City

Air Pollution in Mexico City ◊nearly 20 million people live there ◊second most populated city in the world--Tokyo is first ◊Mexico City’s population & location contribute to its bad air pollution problem. ◊considered to be the most polluted city in the world ◊nearly 20 million people live there ◊second most populated city in the world--Tokyo is first ◊Mexico City’s population & location contribute to its bad air pollution problem. ◊considered to be the most polluted city in the world

Air Pollution Over Mexico City

Air Pollution in Mexico City Causes 1.huge population = lots of cars 2.Factories produce pollution 3.Sierra Madre mountains surround the city and trap the polluted air. Causes 1.huge population = lots of cars 2.Factories produce pollution 3.Sierra Madre mountains surround the city and trap the polluted air.

Effects 1.Air is unhealthy causing some people to have trouble breathing. 2.Acid rain damages vegetation and harms buildings and ancient monuments/ruins in Mexico. 1.Air is unhealthy causing some people to have trouble breathing. 2.Acid rain damages vegetation and harms buildings and ancient monuments/ruins in Mexico.

Solutions To reduce pollution: 1.the city promotes public transportation (buses, subway). 2. There are new restrictions on car use. 3. Sometimes factories are closed for the day, which hurts their economy. To reduce pollution: 1.the city promotes public transportation (buses, subway). 2. There are new restrictions on car use. 3. Sometimes factories are closed for the day, which hurts their economy.

Amazon Rainforest ◊It is the largest rainforest in the world. ◊The rainforest lies mostly in Brazil. ◊It experiences a hot, humid, and rainy tropical climate. ◊It is home to a huge variety of plants, trees, insects, birds, & animals. ◊It produces 1/3 of the earth’s oxygen. ◊Many plants are used to make medicines. ◊It is the largest rainforest in the world. ◊The rainforest lies mostly in Brazil. ◊It experiences a hot, humid, and rainy tropical climate. ◊It is home to a huge variety of plants, trees, insects, birds, & animals. ◊It produces 1/3 of the earth’s oxygen. ◊Many plants are used to make medicines.

Amazon Rainforest

Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest Causes : ◊Forests are being cleared to make room for farming and create more land for cattle grazing.

Before…

After…

Effects of Deforestation…  Plants & animals are losing their homes; many are endangered, and some are becoming extinct.  Loss of trees increases carbon dioxide  MJzv4Cs8 MJzv4Cs8  Plants & animals are losing their homes; many are endangered, and some are becoming extinct.  Loss of trees increases carbon dioxide  MJzv4Cs8 MJzv4Cs8

 Cows in a cleared area and trees cut for farmland

Clearing land in the Amazon Rainforest

Cows grazing in an area that used to be a part of the Amazon Rainforest

Solutions… ◊The government is working to fix the deforestation problem by passing laws restricting the cutting down of too many trees.

Oil-Related Pollution in Venezuela Causes ◊One of the world’s leading producers of oil ◊Oil production has boosted economy Main source of income for many people Causes ◊One of the world’s leading producers of oil ◊Oil production has boosted economy Main source of income for many people

Effects… Oil production results in toxic waste, air pollution, & oil spills which damage the environment. hurts the ability of fishermen to earn a living Oil businesses have damaged Lake Maracaibo (largest lake in South America). Oil production results in toxic waste, air pollution, & oil spills which damage the environment. hurts the ability of fishermen to earn a living Oil businesses have damaged Lake Maracaibo (largest lake in South America).

Result of Drilling for Oil…

Lake Maracaibo ◊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 government is having to take precautions to keep water from flooding into nearby towns ◊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 government is having to take precautions to keep water from flooding into nearby towns

Problems… ◊Money from selling oil is the country’s main source of income. ◊Venezuelans are motivated to keep producing, selling, and burning oil--and polluting. ◊Mostly cosmetic fixes are being done. ◊Money from selling oil is the country’s main source of income. ◊Venezuelans are motivated to keep producing, selling, and burning oil--and polluting. ◊Mostly cosmetic fixes are being done.

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. ◊Mostly cosmetic fixes are being done. ◊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. ◊Mostly cosmetic fixes are being done.