Environmental Issues in Latin America
SS6G2 The student will discuss environmental issues in Latin America
a. 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
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City, Mexico
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capital of Mexico
population over 19 million people
Mexico’s largest city
built by the Spanish after they destroyed
the original city of Tenochtitlán in Lake
Texcoco
located in the Valley of Mexico, surrounded
by Sierra Madre mountains
Air Pollution Over Mexico City
Air Pollution Over Mexico City
Causes
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population & location contribute to air
pollution problem
emissions from factories and
automobiles.
Wind not strong enough to blow
pollution over the mountains, bowl
effect
high elevation--less oxygen so fuels
don’t fully burn
Surrounded by Sierra Madre
mountains
Results of air pollution
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Pollutants harm eyes, lungs, and the
heart.
creates acid rain
Solutions
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program limiting how often you can drive
your car, promotes public transportation
testing buses that run on cleanerburning fuels
strict inspections of emissions systems
on cars
changing the kind of fuel cars and
factories use
workshops to teach people about the
environment
Amazon Rainforest
Amazon Rainforest
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important environment of Brazil, and the
world
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
Amazon Rainforest Location
Destruction of the Amazon
Before…Rainforest
After…
“slash and burn” farming
Causes
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road building
farmers cutting down trees to plant
crops (known as “slash and burn”
farming
cattle ranching
Logging (deforestation)
mining
new settlements
logging
cattle ranching
Results of Deforestation
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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.
animals losing their homes
Solutions
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Government is now setting aside large
protected areas.
Government is creating programs to plant
new trees when older trees are cut down.
Venezuela
Oil-Related Pollution in Venezuela
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Oil provides about 50% of government
revenue.
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Oil production has boosted economy,
turning the once poor country of
Ecuador into one of Latin America’s
richest countries
Oil-related pollution in Venezuela
Causes
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Oil is the country’s main source of income,
so people continue to produce, sell, and
burn oil, creating more oil pollution.
Occasional oil spills
Oil-related pollution in Venezuela
Results
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creates toxic wastes
air pollution
occasional oil spillage, seeps into water sources
streams and rivers polluted, hurts fishing
industry and shut down tourist resorts
health problems (cancer, skin problems,
breathing problems, and digestive tract
problems)
Solutions…
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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.