People and the Environment in Mexico Ch. 7.3

Warm-up #1

Warm-up #2 Video- Tijuana 1.What is geographically unique about the Mexico-U.S. border? 2. What is a maquiladora? 3. Why might a Mexican electrician work on the U.S. side of the border but live on the Mexican side?

1. It is the only border between a country that is a large developing country and one that is industrialized and modern. 2. A maquiladora is a factory in Mexico that employs Mexican workers but that is owned by a foreign company, often one in the United States. Wages in maquiladoras are less than one-tenth the wages in the United States, making the factories profitable for foreign owners. Jobs in maquiladoras have attracted many workers from all over Mexico. 3. Wages are higher in the United States than in Mexico. Despite having a home in Mexico, it might be advantageous to work across the border.

People and Their Environment: Mexico Managing Resources Mexico has many natural resources, yet obtaining these resources has led to environmental destruction. The growing population of Mexico demands more food and water resources, which in turn causes forests to be cut down and water to be in high demand.

Land subsidence in Mexico City- urban water crisis  Gradual settling or sudden sinking of the Earth's surface owing to subsurface movement of earth materials/water. High demand for water as population grows!

Today, 50 percent of Mexico's population lives in poverty as they struggle to find basic resources like clean water, electricity, and garbage removal.

Rapid growth in urban areas has created a challenge for Mexico to keep up with basic infrastructures such as proper waste disposal and pollution.

People and Their Environment: Mexico Human Impact Toxic carbon emissions from cars has led to serious pollution problems in Mexico City, often leaving it in a gray haze. The government has made emissions regulations a priority, but air pollution remains a serious health concern in Mexico.

New government regulations have slowed the destruction of natural resources, while supporting farms and local businesses. Stop Deforestation Programs REDD+ The Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation program reduces greenhouse gases.

Recently, the citizens of Mexico have become more politically active, wanting better living conditions and environmental protection policies=New Environmental Awareness Movements Muévete en Bici program protects the environment and reduces pollution by encouraging the use of bicycles.