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Latin America’s Environmental Concerns

Latin America’s Environmental Concerns. Unit 7. #1 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

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Latin America’s Environmental Concerns

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  1. Latin America’s Environmental Concerns Unit 7

  2. #1 Air Pollution in Mexico City • nearly 20 million people live here • secondmost 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. #2 Air Pollution Over Mexico City

  4. #3 Air Pollution Over Mexico City

  5. #4 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. #5 Surrounded by Mountains…

  7. #6 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

  8. How does geography play a role in Mexico City’s air pollution problem? • It is one of the world’s largest cities. • The city has views of distant snowcapped mountains. • It lies in a bowl-shaped valley that traps air pollutants. • The cars and factories send pollution such as lead, sulfur, and carbon monoxide into the air.

  9. What are the main sources of air pollution in Mexico City? • Intense sunlight • The high altitude • Factories and cars • Cars that produce little or no air pollution.

  10. Which solution is a way that the government is trying to reduce pollution in Mexico City? • Ignoring cars with exhaust problems • Reducing the number of buses and trains • Making sure the population continues to grow. • Increasing the number of cars that produce little or no air pollution.

  11. Which solution to Mexico City’s air pollution problem would be most challenging to businesses? • Closing factories 1 day a week • Using fuels that produce less pollution • Having employees ride trains or buses to work • Asking citizens to leave their cars at home 1 day a week

  12. #7 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

  13. Go to WWW.Brainpop.com and watch the video on Tropical Rainforests

  14. #8 Amazon Rainforest

  15. #9 Destruction of the Amazon Rainforest • 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

  16. #10 Before…

  17. #11 After…

  18. #12 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.

  19. #13

  20. #14

  21. #15

  22. #16 Solutions… • The government is working to fix the deforestation problem by passing laws on cutting down too many trees. • What else can be done?

  23. Which is a problem associated with deforestation? • More oxygen is available on the planet. • Poor people earn money from selling trees. • Native people have too much forest for their needs. • There is less forest to produce goods that humans need.

  24. Why does deforestation increase when the value of crops and cattle go up? • The value of timber goes up. • Laws to protect the rainforest are not enforced. • People think they can make more profit selling cattle and crops. • Environmental groups work with the government only when prices are down.

  25. What is the main crop grown in areas of deforestation? • Cocoa • Rubber • Soybeans • Brazil nuts

  26. The world gets about 20% of which resource from the Amazon Rain Forest? • Medicine • Oxygen • Rubber • Soybeans

  27. Use the graph on pg. 18 of your CRCT book to answer questions 17-20

  28. #17 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

  29. #18 Problems… • Venezuela’s coast has become polluted with oil. • oil spills have damaged the environment • hurts the ability of fishermen to earn a living

  30. #19 Result of Drilling for Oil…

  31. #20 Problems… • Venezuela leads South America in the production of carbon dioxide, which is a by-product of burning fossil fuels like natural gas & oil. • can cause breathing problems for children & elderly • contributes to global warming

  32. #21 Problems… • 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

  33. #22 Why oil? • Money from selling oil is the country’s main source of income. • Venezuelans are motivated to keep producing, selling, and burning oil--and polluting.

  34. #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.

  35. What problem has been caused by oil production in Venezuela? • About 15% of US oil comes from Venezuela • The coast along the Caribbean Sea has been polluted with oil • Lake Maracaibo has become the largest lake in South America • Venezuela is more polluted than other South American countries

  36. Why might the Venezuela government NOT want to stop oil production in the country, even though it causes a lot of pollution? • The government gets about half of its money from the oil business. • The government does not care about damage to the environment. • People along Lake Maracaibo are now protected by a dike to prevent flooding. • People in Venezuela don’t care about the environment as much as other people.

  37. Who is affected first by carbon dioxide pollution? • Healthy adults • Children and the elderly • Farmers along Lake Maracaibo • Fisherman along the Caribbean coast

  38. Some scientists believe that increases in carbon dioxide contribute to • Algal bloom • Oil slicks on the Caribbean coast • Global warming • Clear cutting

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