1. Latin America’s Environmental Concerns

2. How does human behavior impact the environment of Latin America?EQ
How does human behavior impact the environment of Latin America?

3. 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

4. Air Pollution Over Mexico City

5. Air Pollution Over Mexico City

6. 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 Occidental and Oriental mountains surround city & trap in polluted air

7. Surrounded by Mountains…

8. EFFECTS Air pollution Increase in asthma
Acid Rain –leads to water pollution, soil contamination, structural damage (buildings, statues, bridges, roads…)

9. Solutions
To reduce air pollution, the city promotes public transportation (buses, subway).
The city is also testing buses that run on cleaner burning fuels.
Restrict car use – no driving one day each week
Cars are inspected for exhaust problems
Factories must close on high pollution days

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

11. Amazon Rainforest

12. Destruction of the Amazon Rainforest
Causes
The Brazilian government built a major highway system
Logging
Cattle ranches
Cleared for farmland – soybeans
Brazil’s population has increased

13. Trans-Amazonian Highway

14. Before…

15. After…

16. 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.
Decreased amount of oxygen in atmosphere
Resources only found in the rain forest are being lost & cannot be replaced

17. Clear cutting….

18. Slash and burn….

19. Mud slide due to erosion....

20. Solutions…
The government is passing laws to limit the number of trees (laws NOT adequately enforced)
Companies are replanting trees and “farming” them until they are mature enough to cut again.
Environmental groups and other countries’ governments are trying to work with Brazil’s government to find ways to save the forest

21. Oil-Related Pollution in Venezuela
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

22. Tanker

23. Result of Drilling for Oil…

24. Causes Unscientific drilling Poor government involvement
Lack of proper machinery to clean effected areas

25. Effects Venezuela’s coast has become polluted with oil.
Animals and plants are harmed by spills and leaks
Fishing industry is hurt
Breathing problems for children and elderly

26. Effects…
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

27. Effects

29. Oil spill

30. Oil spill…….

31. Solutions… Develop renewable energy sources
Focus on clean-up and prevention of pollution
Involve government more
Better training of workers (investing in human capital)