1. Latin America’s Environmental Concerns

2. Air Pollution in Mexico City
nearly 20 million people live here
second most populated city in the world--Tokyo is first
city’s population & location contribute to its bad air pollution problem
considered to be the most polluted city in the world

3. Air Pollution Over Mexico City

4. Air Pollution Over Mexico City

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

6. Surrounded by Mountains…

7. Effects 1. Acid Rain 2. Eye, Lung, and Headache Problems
3. Slow growth of Plants

8. 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

9. 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

10. Amazon Rainforest

11. Destruction of the Amazon Rainforest: Causes
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

12. Before…

13. After…

14. 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.

18. Solutions…
The government is working to fix the deforestation problem by passing laws on cutting down too many trees.
What else can be done?

19. Oil-Related Pollution in Venezuela: Causes
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

20. Problems…
oil spills have damaged the aquatic (water), air, and land environment
air pollution
can cause breathing problems for children & elderly
contributes to global warming

21. Result of Drilling for Oil…

23. 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.