1. Latin America’s Environmental Concerns Unit 6 Notes

5. Air Pollution Over Mexico City

6. 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

7. Air Pollution Over Mexico City

9. Causes of Air Pollution 1.huge population = lots of cars 2.Factories produce pollution 3.high elevation--less oxygen so fuels don’t fully burn 4.Sierra Madre mountains surround the city and trap the polluted air 1.huge population = lots of cars 2.Factories produce pollution 3.high elevation--less oxygen so fuels don’t fully burn 4.Sierra Madre mountains surround the city and trap the polluted air

10. Effects 1.Pollution can damage the atmosphere 2.Air is unhealthy causing some people to have trouble breathing. 3.Acid rain is a problem, causing damage to vegetation. 4.Acid rain also harms buildings and ancient monuments/ruins in Mexico. 1.Pollution can damage the atmosphere 2.Air is unhealthy causing some people to have trouble breathing. 3.Acid rain is a problem, causing damage to vegetation. 4.Acid rain also harms buildings and ancient monuments/ruins in Mexico.

11. Solutions 1.To reduce air pollution, the city promotes public transportation (buses, subway). 2.The city is also testing buses that run on cleaner burning fuels. 3.There are new restrictions on car use. 4.Sometimes factories are closed for the day, which hurts their economy 1.To reduce air pollution, the city promotes public transportation (buses, subway). 2.The city is also testing buses that run on cleaner burning fuels. 3.There are new restrictions on car use. 4.Sometimes factories are closed for the day, which hurts their economy

12. Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest ◊It is the largest rainforest in the world. ◊The rainforest lies mostly in Brazil. ◊It experiences a hot, humid, & 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, & 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.

13. Amazon Rainforest

14. Destruction of the Amazon Rainforest ◊Brazil’s population has increased-- parts of rainforest are being cut down to create farms and grasslands for cattle to graze.

15. Before…

16. After…

17. Effects of Deforestation… ◊Plants & animals are losing their homes; many are endangered, and some are becoming extinct. ◊Loss of trees increases carbon dioxide, a gas that can contribute to global warming. ◊Plants & animals are losing their homes; many are endangered, and some are becoming extinct. ◊Loss of trees increases carbon dioxide, a gas that can contribute to global warming.

18. Forests are being cleared to make room for farming and create more land for cattle grazing.

19. Clearing land in the Amazon Rainforest

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

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

22. Oil-Related Pollution in Venezuela Cause ◊One of the world’s leading producers of oil ◊Oil production has boosted economy Main source of income for many people Effect ◊Oil production results in toxic wastes, air pollution, & oil spills Cause ◊One of the world’s leading producers of oil ◊Oil production has boosted economy Main source of income for many people Effect ◊Oil production results in toxic wastes, air pollution, & oil spills

23. Problems… ◊Venezuela’s coast has become polluted with oil. oil spills have damaged the environment hurts the ability of fishermen to earn a living ◊Venezuela’s coast has become polluted with oil. oil spills have damaged the environment hurts the ability of fishermen to earn a living

24. Result of Drilling for Oil…

25. Problems… ◊Venezuela leads South America in the production of carbon dioxide, which is a by-product of burning fossil fuels like natural gas & oil. can cause breathing problems for children & elderly contributes to global warming ◊Venezuela leads South America in the production of carbon dioxide, which is a by-product of burning fossil fuels like natural gas & oil. can cause breathing problems for children & elderly contributes to global warming

26. Problems… ◊Oil businesses have damaged Lake Maracaibo (largest lake in South 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 (largest lake in South 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

28. 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.

29. 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. ◊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.