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Latin America’s Environmental Concerns Unit 7 Notes

Environmental concerns of Latin America

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Page 1: Environmental concerns of Latin America

Latin America’s Environmental Concerns

Latin America’s Environmental Concerns

Unit 7 NotesUnit 7 Notes

Page 2: Environmental concerns of Latin America

Air Pollution in Mexico CityAir 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

◊ 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

Page 3: Environmental concerns of Latin America

Air Pollution Over Mexico CityAir Pollution Over Mexico City

Page 4: Environmental concerns of Latin America

Air Pollution Over Mexico CityAir Pollution Over Mexico City

Page 5: Environmental concerns of Latin America

Causes of Air PollutionCauses of Air Pollution1. huge population = lots of cars2. high elevation--less oxygen so fuels

don’t fully burn--higher level of gases that harm eyes,

lungs, & the heart

3. Sierra Madre mountains surround city & trap in polluted air (Wind is unable to blow gases/chemicals away)

1. huge population = lots of cars2. high elevation--less oxygen so fuels

don’t fully burn--higher level of gases that harm eyes,

lungs, & the heart

3. Sierra Madre mountains surround city & trap in polluted air (Wind is unable to blow gases/chemicals away)

Page 6: Environmental concerns of Latin America

Surrounded by Mountains…Surrounded by Mountains…

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SolutionsSolutions◊ To reduce air pollution, the city promotes To reduce air pollution, the city promotes

public transportation (buses, subway).public transportation (buses, subway).◊ The city is also testing buses that run on The city is also testing buses that run on

cleaner burning fuels.cleaner burning fuels.◊ new restrictions on car use and emissionsnew restrictions on car use and emissions◊ workshops to teach people about the workshops to teach people about the

environmentenvironment◊ Changing the fuel used in factoriesChanging the fuel used in factories

◊ To reduce air pollution, the city promotes To reduce air pollution, the city promotes public transportation (buses, subway).public transportation (buses, subway).

◊ The city is also testing buses that run on The city is also testing buses that run on cleaner burning fuels.cleaner burning fuels.

◊ new restrictions on car use and emissionsnew restrictions on car use and emissions◊ workshops to teach people about the workshops to teach people about the

environmentenvironment◊ Changing the fuel used in factoriesChanging the fuel used in factories

Page 8: Environmental concerns of Latin America

Amazon RainforestAmazon 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

◊ 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

Page 9: Environmental concerns of Latin America

Amazon RainforestAmazon Rainforest

Page 10: Environmental concerns of Latin America

Destruction of the Amazon RainforestDestruction of the Amazon Rainforest◊ In the 1950s, the Brazilian government

began building a major highway system.• opened rainforest to loggers• Farmers are also cutting using a method

known as “Slash and Burn”

◊ Brazil’s population has increased--parts of rainforest are being cut down to create farms, homes, and ranches

◊ In the 1950s, the Brazilian government began building a major highway system.• opened rainforest to loggers• Farmers are also cutting using a method

known as “Slash and Burn”

◊ Brazil’s population has increased--parts of rainforest are being cut down to create farms, homes, and ranches

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Before…Before…

Page 12: Environmental concerns of Latin America

After…After…

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Results of Deforestation…Results of Deforestation…◊ Plants & animals are losing their Plants & animals are losing their

homes; many are endangered, and homes; many are endangered, and some are becoming extinct.some are becoming extinct.

◊ Loss of trees increases carbon Loss of trees increases carbon dioxide, a gas that contributes to dioxide, a gas that contributes to global warming.global warming.

◊ Plants & animals are losing their Plants & animals are losing their homes; many are endangered, and homes; many are endangered, and some are becoming extinct.some are becoming extinct.

◊ Loss of trees increases carbon Loss of trees increases carbon dioxide, a gas that contributes to dioxide, a gas that contributes to global warming.global warming.

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Solutions…Solutions…◊ The government is working to fix the The government is working to fix the

deforestation problem by passing laws deforestation problem by passing laws on cutting down too many trees.on cutting down too many trees.

◊ The government is setting aside land The government is setting aside land to protect areas of the rainforestto protect areas of the rainforest

◊ The Government is setting up The Government is setting up programs where new trees are planted programs where new trees are planted when older trees are cut down. when older trees are cut down.

◊ The government is working to fix the The government is working to fix the deforestation problem by passing laws deforestation problem by passing laws on cutting down too many trees.on cutting down too many trees.

◊ The government is setting aside land The government is setting aside land to protect areas of the rainforestto protect areas of the rainforest

◊ The Government is setting up The Government is setting up programs where new trees are planted programs where new trees are planted when older trees are cut down. when older trees are cut down.

Page 17: Environmental concerns of Latin America

Oil-Related Pollution in VenezuelaOil-Related Pollution in Venezuela◊ One of the world’s leading producers of One of the world’s leading producers of

oiloil• has been producing oil for about 100 yearshas been producing oil for about 100 years

◊ Oil production has boosted economyOil production has boosted economy• Main source of income for many peopleMain source of income for many people

◊ Oil production results in toxic wastes, Oil production results in toxic wastes, air pollution, & oil spillsair pollution, & oil spills

◊ One of the world’s leading producers of One of the world’s leading producers of oiloil• has been producing oil for about 100 yearshas been producing oil for about 100 years

◊ Oil production has boosted economyOil production has boosted economy• Main source of income for many peopleMain source of income for many people

◊ Oil production results in toxic wastes, Oil production results in toxic wastes, air pollution, & oil spillsair pollution, & oil spills

Page 18: Environmental concerns of Latin America

Problems…Problems…◊ Venezuela’s coast has become Venezuela’s coast has become

polluted with oil.polluted with oil.• oil spills have damaged the oil spills have damaged the

environmentenvironment• hurts the ability of fishermen to earn hurts the ability of fishermen to earn

a living due to killing fish. a living due to killing fish.

◊ Venezuela’s coast has become Venezuela’s coast has become polluted with oil.polluted with oil.• oil spills have damaged the oil spills have damaged the

environmentenvironment• hurts the ability of fishermen to earn hurts the ability of fishermen to earn

a living due to killing fish. a living due to killing fish.

Page 19: Environmental concerns of Latin America

Result of Drilling for Oil…Result of Drilling for Oil…

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Problems…Problems…◊ Venezuela leads South America in the Venezuela leads South America in the

production of carbon dioxide, which is a production of carbon dioxide, which is a by-product of burning fossil fuels like by-product of burning fossil fuels like natural gas & oil.natural gas & oil.• can cause breathing problems for children can cause breathing problems for children

& elderly& elderly• contributes to global warmingcontributes to global warming

◊ Venezuela leads South America in the Venezuela leads South America in the production of carbon dioxide, which is a production of carbon dioxide, which is a by-product of burning fossil fuels like by-product of burning fossil fuels like natural gas & oil.natural gas & oil.• can cause breathing problems for children can cause breathing problems for children

& elderly& elderly• contributes to global warmingcontributes to global warming

Page 21: Environmental concerns of Latin America

Problems…Problems…◊ Oil businesses have damaged Lake Maracaibo Oil businesses have damaged Lake Maracaibo

(largest lake in South America).(largest lake in South America).◊ Large amounts of oil have been removed from the area so Large amounts of oil have been removed from the area so

the land is changing. the land is changing.

* eastern shore of the lake is dropping about three inches * eastern shore of the lake is dropping about three inches a yeara year

◊ Contaminated oil pits, which collect waste from oil Contaminated oil pits, which collect waste from oil wells, threaten to seep into the water supply for wells, threaten to seep into the water supply for people. people.

• government is having to take precautions to keep water government is having to take precautions to keep water from flooding into nearby townsfrom flooding into nearby towns

◊ Oil businesses have damaged Lake Maracaibo Oil businesses have damaged Lake Maracaibo (largest lake in South America).(largest lake in South America).

◊ Large amounts of oil have been removed from the area so Large amounts of oil have been removed from the area so the land is changing. the land is changing.

* eastern shore of the lake is dropping about three inches * eastern shore of the lake is dropping about three inches a yeara year

◊ Contaminated oil pits, which collect waste from oil Contaminated oil pits, which collect waste from oil wells, threaten to seep into the water supply for wells, threaten to seep into the water supply for people. people.

• government is having to take precautions to keep water government is having to take precautions to keep water from flooding into nearby townsfrom flooding into nearby towns

Page 22: Environmental concerns of Latin America
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Problems…Problems…Problems…Problems…◊ Money from selling oil is the Money from selling oil is the

country’s main source of income.country’s main source of income.◊ Venezuelans are motivated to Venezuelans are motivated to

keep producing, selling, and keep producing, selling, and burning oil--and polluting.burning oil--and polluting.

◊ Money from selling oil is the Money from selling oil is the country’s main source of income.country’s main source of income.

◊ Venezuelans are motivated to Venezuelans are motivated to keep producing, selling, and keep producing, selling, and burning oil--and polluting.burning oil--and polluting.

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Solutions…Solutions…◊ People are becoming aware that the cost People are becoming aware that the cost

in the long term may be too great.in the long term may be too great.◊ Groups are calling for renewable energy Groups are calling for renewable energy

sources and the clean-up and prevention sources and the clean-up and prevention of pollution.of pollution.

◊ Venezuela’s state oil company is working Venezuela’s state oil company is working to clean up its pitsto clean up its pits

◊ It has adopted an environmental policy It has adopted an environmental policy to focus more closely on environmental to focus more closely on environmental protection. protection.

◊ People are becoming aware that the cost People are becoming aware that the cost in the long term may be too great.in the long term may be too great.

◊ Groups are calling for renewable energy Groups are calling for renewable energy sources and the clean-up and prevention sources and the clean-up and prevention of pollution.of pollution.

◊ Venezuela’s state oil company is working Venezuela’s state oil company is working to clean up its pitsto clean up its pits

◊ It has adopted an environmental policy It has adopted an environmental policy to focus more closely on environmental to focus more closely on environmental protection. protection.