1. The student will discuss environmental issues in Latin America.
SS6G2a
The student will discuss environmental issues in Latin America.
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. I. Air Pollution in Mexico City
SS6G2a
I. Air Pollution in Mexico City
1. One of the world’s worst areas of air pollution
2. Children and older adults have breathing problems and lung disease

3. I. Air Pollution in Mexico City
SS6G2a
I. Air Pollution in Mexico City
3. Causes of Air Pollution:
Overcrowding - Over 19 million people live in Mexico City (that’s 2x amount of people in Georgia)
Emissions from thousands of factories & 3 million cars (mostly old cars) send lead, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide into air

4. I. Air Pollution in Mexico City
SS6G2a
I. Air Pollution in Mexico City
4. Geography’s role in air pollution:
Mexico City is built in a bowl-shaped crater of an extinct volcano
High elevation means air is thin & emissions get trapped in the valley
Intense sunlight pushes smog even higher

5. I. Air Pollution in Mexico City
SS6G2a
I. Air Pollution in Mexico City
5. Solutions:
Drivers must leave cars home one day each week
Citizens are encouraged to use public transportation (buses, trains) or carpool
Cars are inspected more often
Days of high pollution=factories close
Government is working to find ways to improve fuels & increase the number of cars that produce little or no air pollution

6. II. Destruction of the Rain Forest in Brazil
SS6G2a
II. Destruction of the Rain Forest in Brazil
1. More than half of Brazil is covered by rain forest 2. Amazon River carries water through the rain forest

7. II. Destruction of the Rain Forest in Brazil
SS6G2a
II. Destruction of the Rain Forest in Brazil
3. Geography’s role:
More than 40,000 different kinds of plants and thousands of types of animals
Plants create 20% of world’s oxygen
Some plants are used to treat diseases
Trees can soar up to 150 feet & some are sold for timber
Brazil nuts, cocoa, & rubber are harvested

8. II. Destruction of the Rain Forest in Brazil
SS6G2a
II. Destruction of the Rain Forest in Brazil
Native people live in the rain forest and depend on it for their food, clothing, shelter, and spiritual life. They have had little or no contact with the outside world.
Nearly 200,000 square miles have been lost to deforestation over the past decade.

9. II. Destruction of the Rain Forest in Brazil
SS6G2a
II. Destruction of the Rain Forest in Brazil
4. Causes:
Many Brazilians live in poor conditions. They cut & sell timber for money.
The cleared land is used for farming or cattle ranches.
Illegal clearing of land increases when the price of crops and cattle go up.

10. II. Destruction of the Rain Forest in Brazil
SS6G2a
II. Destruction of the Rain Forest in Brazil
5. Solutions:
The government created laws to control the amount of forest that is cut down, but no money is spent enforcing these laws.
Environmental groups and other governments are trying to help preserve the rain forest.

11. III. Oil-related Pollution in Venezuela
SS6G2a
III. Oil-related Pollution in Venezuela
1. Venezuela is one of the largest producers of oil and natural gas in the world.
2. 5th largest producer of oil in the world
3. 15% of oil sold in U.S. comes from Venezuela (top 4 sources for U.S.)
4. Profits from oil make up ½ the government’s money

12. III. Oil-related Pollution in Venezuela
SS6G2a
III. Oil-related Pollution in Venezuela
5. Causes of Oil-related Pollution:
Oil spills and tanker leaks have damaged the environment & fisherman are unable to earn a living
High levels of carbon dioxide cause breathing problems for children and older adults

13. III. Oil-related Pollution in Venezuela
LFalkner - SS6G2a - Environmental Issues of Latin America
SS6G2a
III. Oil-related Pollution in Venezuela
6. Geography’s role:
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the air, causing breathing problems.
Lake Maracaibo’s landscape is changing because so much oil has been removed from surrounding areas. The government built a dike to keep the lake from flooding.

14. III. Oil-related Pollution in Venezuela
SS6G2a
III. Oil-related Pollution in Venezuela
7. Solutions:
People are learning that there are long-term effects
Environmental groups are calling for cleaner sources of energy and for the clean up and prevention of oil-related pollution