Environmental Issues of Latin America 12/1/2018 Bennifield

The student will discuss STANDARD SS6G2 The student will discuss environmental issues in Latin America. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

What is the impact of development and trade on the environment? essential question What is the impact of development and trade on the environment? 12/1/2018 Bennifield

SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT! 12/1/2018 Bennifield

As countries grow in population and add more factories and businesses, they often face serious challenges to their environment. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

One of the most important issues facing Latin American countries today is how to maintain a clean, healthy environment amidst rapid growth. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

AIR POLLUTION IN MEXICO CITY 12/1/2018 Bennifield

Mexico City, Mexico is a huge city with a serious air pollution problem. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

In fact, Mexico City is one of the most polluted cities in the world! 12/1/2018 Bennifield

People living there are exposed to toxic gases and chemicals in the air they breathe every day, which can lead to respiratory illnesses. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

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Mexico City’s pollution is caused by emissions from factories and automobiles that build up over the city. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

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Mountains surrounding Mexico City are like walls that trap the pollutants in a brown haze called smog. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

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The wind is not strong enough to blow the pollutants over the mountains, so they continue to accumulate each day. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

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The Mexican government has put measures in place to help reduce air pollution. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

They include: 1. program limiting how often you can drive your car 2 They include: 1. program limiting how often you can drive your car 2. strict inspections of emissions systems on cars 3. changing the kind of fuel cars and factories use 12/1/2018 Bennifield

QUICK QUIZ 1. What type of pollution does Mexico City face? a. water b. soil c. air 2. Emissions in Mexico City come from: a. cars b. factories c. schools 3. What traps pollutants above Mexico City? a. airplanes b. rivers c. mountains 4. In Mexico City, you might not be allowed to drive your car every day. a. true b. false 12/1/2018 Bennifield

DESTRUCTION OF THE RAINFOREST IN BRAZIL 12/1/2018 Bennifield

A major environmental issue in Brazil is destruction of the Amazon rainforest. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

The rainforest is important to the environment of Brazil as well as the entire world. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

Rainforests are home to the largest variety of plant and animal species on the planet. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

It is known as the “lungs of the earth” because they convert carbon dioxide into valuable oxygen. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

The destruction of Brazil’s rainforest is caused by road building and farmers cutting down forests. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

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This is called “slash and burn” farming. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

It is also caused by cattle ranching, logging, mining and new settlements. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

This deforestation has many negative effects on the environment. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

This includes the loss of habitat for millions of species and climate change. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

Trees protect forest soil from drying out into barren land, and return water vapor back into the atmosphere. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

Although Brazil’s economy is growing from deforestation, the government is now setting aside large protected areas and setting up programs where new trees are planted when older trees are cut down. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

QUICK QUIZ 1. List two reasons why the rainforest is important. 2. List three reasons why the rainforest is being destroyed. 3. What negative effect does deforestation have on the environment? LARGEST VARIETY OF PLANT AND ANIMALS “LUNGS OF THE EARTH” ROAD BUILDING “SLASH AND BURN” FARMING CATTLE RANCHING LOSS OF HABITAT AND CLIMATE CHANGE 12/1/2018 Bennifield

OIL-RELATED POLLUTION IN VENEZUELA 12/1/2018 Bennifield

Oil is an important natural resource in Venezuela. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

In fact, oil provides about 50 percent of government revenue! 12/1/2018 Bennifield

Unfortunately, oil pollution has caused serious environmental and economic problems in Venezuela. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

Occasional oil spills have killed fish, which damages environment and hurts the fishing industry. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

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Oil spills have shut down tourist resorts on Lake Maracaibo, the largest lake in South America. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

Contaminated oil pits, which collect waste from oil wells, also threaten to seep into Venezuela’s water sources. 12/1/2018 Bennifield

Venezuela’s state oil company is working to clean up its oil pits, and has adopted an environmental policy to focus more closely on environmental protection. 12/1/2018 Bennifield