Latin America’s Environmental Issues

Air Pollution in Mexico City ◊Over20 million people live there ◊Second 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 ◊Over20 million people live there ◊Second 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

Air Pollution Over Mexico City

Causes & Effects of Air Pollution CAUSES: ◊Huge population = lots of cars ◊High elevation--less oxygen so fuels don’t fully burn ◊Sierra Madre mountains surround city & trap in polluted air EFFECTS: ◊High level of gases that harm eyes, lungs, & the heart CAUSES: ◊Huge population = lots of cars ◊High elevation--less oxygen so fuels don’t fully burn ◊Sierra Madre mountains surround city & trap in polluted air EFFECTS: ◊High level of gases that harm eyes, lungs, & the heart

Surrounded by Mountains…

Solutions ◊The city promotes public transportation (buses, subway). ◊The city is also testing buses that run on cleaner burning fuels. ◊They have new restrictions on car use. ◊They hold environment workshops to teach people about how to save the environment ◊The city promotes public transportation (buses, subway). ◊The city is also testing buses that run on cleaner burning fuels. ◊They have new restrictions on car use. ◊They hold environment workshops to teach people about how to save the environment

Amazon Rainforest ◊Largest rainforest in the world ◊Most of the rainforest is in Brazil ◊Hot, humid, & rainy tropical climate ◊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 of the rainforest is in Brazil ◊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

Destruction of the Amazon Rainforest ◊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

Results of Deforestation… ◊Plants & animals are losing their homes. Many are endangered or extinct. ◊Loss of trees increases carbon dioxide, a gas that contributes to pollution. ◊Plants & animals are losing their homes. Many are endangered or extinct. ◊Loss of trees increases carbon dioxide, a gas that contributes to pollution.

Before…

After…

Solutions… ◊The government is working to fix the deforestation problem by passing laws on cutting down too many trees. ◊What else can be done? ◊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 in Venezuela ◊One of the world’s leading producers of oil. They have been producing oil for about 100 years. ◊Oil production has boosted economy. ◊Venezuelans are motivated to keep producing and selling oil for income-- and polluting. ◊One of the world’s leading producers of oil. They have been producing oil for about 100 years. ◊Oil production has boosted economy. ◊Venezuelans are motivated to keep producing and selling oil for income-- and polluting.

Causes and Problems… ◊Oil production results in toxic wastes, air pollution, & oil spills ◊Venezuela’s coast is polluted with oil. ◊Venezuela leads South America in the production of carbon dioxide, which is a by-product of burning fossil fuels like natural gas & oil. ◊Oil production results in toxic wastes, air pollution, & oil spills ◊Venezuela’s coast is polluted with oil. ◊Venezuela leads South America in the production of carbon dioxide, which is a by-product of burning fossil fuels like natural gas & oil.

Result of Drilling for Oil…

Problems… Causes breathing problems for children & elderly Contributes to air pollution Oil spills have caused environmental damage Hurts the fishing industry Causes breathing problems for children & elderly Contributes to air pollution Oil spills have caused environmental damage Hurts the fishing industry

Problems… ◊Oil businesses have damaged Lake Maracaibo, the largest lake in S. 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 Government is having to take precautions to keep water from flooding into nearby towns ◊Oil businesses have damaged Lake Maracaibo, the largest lake in S. 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 Government is having to take precautions to keep water from flooding into nearby towns

Solutions… ◊People are becoming aware that the long term costs may be too great. ◊Groups are calling for renewable energy sources and for the clean- up and prevention of pollution. ◊People are becoming aware that the long term costs may be too great. ◊Groups are calling for renewable energy sources and for the clean- up and prevention of pollution.