1. Latin America’s Environmental Concerns

2. Standards
SS6G2 Explain the impact of environmental issues in Latin America.
Explain the causes and effects of air pollution in Mexico City, Mexico.
Explain the environmental issue of destruction of the rain forest in Brazil.

3. Air Pollution in Mexico City
Nearly 9 million people live here
second most populated city in the world--Tokyo is first
Mexico City is considered to be the most polluted city in the world

4. Air Pollution Over Mexico City

5. Air Pollution Over Mexico City

6. Causes of Air Pollution
9 million residents = over 3 million cars!
50,000 industries = factory and coal power plant emissions
Low elevation = Sierra Madre mountains surround city & trap in polluted air

7. Taken from an extinct volcano overlooking Mexico City

8. A Mexico City housing complex of over 10,000!

9. Surrounded by Mountains

10. The Fish Bowl
Think of the gases in Mexico City as a fish trying to escape its bowl!
It may try to jump out, but the sides are too high for him to escape!

11. Effects People have to carpool and limit outdoor activity
Breathing problems
Lung disease
Air quality flags are flown daily to show the smog levels, especially in dry winter months

12. Solutions
The city promotes public transportation (buses, subway, train).
restrictions on car use

13. Driving Restrictions in Mexico City:
Monday: no driving if license plate ends with 5 or 6. Tuesday: no driving if license plate ends with 7 or 8. Wednesday: no driving if license plate ends with 3 or 4. Thursday: no driving if license plate ends with 1 or 2. Friday: no driving if license plate ends with 9, 0 or a letter. Saturday and Sunday: All vehicles may be driven.

14. WHY???
Why has Mexico City implemented these laws?

15. Destruction of the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil
the largest rainforest in the world
home to 10% of the world’s plant and animal species
produces 1/3 of the earth’s oxygen

16. The Amazon Rainforest

17. Causes loggers want cheap lumber Brazil’s population has increased
Cattle ranches and farming

18. Before…

19. After…

21. Why does Brazil account for so much of the deforestation of the world?

22. Effects Plants & animals are losing their homes and facing extinction
Loss of trees contributes to global warming and decreases oxygen

26. Solutions
The government passed laws on cutting down too many trees, but little funding has been allowed to actually enforce these laws.

28. Endangered Animals Maned Three-toed Sloth Golden-bellied Capuchin
Lear’s Macaw