1. Latin America’s Environmental Concerns SS6G2 The student will discuss environmental issues in Latin America a. Explain the major environmental concerns of Latin America regarding the issues of air pollution in Mexico City, Mexico, the destruction of the rain forest in Brazil, and oil-related pollution in Venezuela SS6G2 The student will discuss environmental issues in Latin America a. Explain the major environmental concerns of Latin America regarding the issues of air pollution in Mexico City, Mexico, the destruction of the rain forest in Brazil, and oil-related pollution in Venezuela

2. Air Pollution in Mexico City

4. ◊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 ◊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

5. Causes of Air Pollution 1.huge population = lots of cars 2.high elevation--less oxygen so fuels don’t fully burn --higher level of gases that harm eyes, lungs, & the heart 3.Sierra Madre mountains surround city & trap in polluted air 1.huge population = lots of cars 2.high elevation--less oxygen so fuels don’t fully burn --higher level of gases that harm eyes, lungs, & the heart 3.Sierra Madre mountains surround city & trap in polluted air

6. Surrounded by Mountains…

7. Solutions ◊To reduce air pollution, the city promotes public transportation (buses, subway). ◊The city is also testing buses that run on cleaner burning fuels. ◊new restrictions on car use ◊workshops to teach people about the environment ◊To reduce air pollution, the city promotes public transportation (buses, subway). ◊The city is also testing buses that run on cleaner burning fuels. ◊new restrictions on car use ◊workshops to teach people about the environment

8. Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest

10. Amazon Rainforest ◊largest rainforest in the world ◊most of the rainforest is in Brazil ◊experiences a 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 ◊experiences a hot, humid, & rainy tropical climate ◊home to a huge variety of plants, trees, insects, birds, & animals ◊produces 1/3 of the earth’s oxygen

11. Amazon Rainforest

12. 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

13. Before…

14. After…

15. Results 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 contributes 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 contributes to global warming.

16. 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?

17. Oil-Related Pollution in Venezuela

19. ◊One of the world’s leading producers of oil has been producing oil for about 100 years ◊Oil production has boosted economy Main source of income for many people ◊Oil production results in toxic wastes, air pollution, & oil spills ◊One of the world’s leading producers of oil has been producing oil for about 100 years ◊Oil production has boosted economy Main source of income for many people ◊Oil production results in toxic wastes, air pollution, & oil spills

20. 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

21. Result of Drilling for Oil…

22. 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

23. 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

25. 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. ◊Money from selling oil is the country’s main source of income. ◊Venezuelans are motivated to keep producing, selling, and burning oil--and polluting.

26. 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.

27. Credits ◊The Amazon. Prod. Burning Blue Media. Planet Green, 2010.Discovery Education. Web. 16 March 2012. ◊http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMp3WL wBb9shttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMp3WL wBb9s ◊http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CXqRLU Bt5chttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CXqRLU Bt5c ◊Presentation retrieved from www.Slideshare.net posted by Ansley22 www.Slideshare.net ◊The Amazon. Prod. Burning Blue Media. Planet Green, 2010.Discovery Education. Web. 16 March 2012. ◊http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMp3WL wBb9shttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMp3WL wBb9s ◊http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CXqRLU Bt5chttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CXqRLU Bt5c ◊Presentation retrieved from www.Slideshare.net posted by Ansley22 www.Slideshare.net