LA Environmental Issues: Air Pollution in Mexico City

LA Environmental Issues: Air Pollution in Mexico City

​Standards

​SS6G2 Explain the impact of environmental issues in Latin America. 

1. Explain the causes and effects of air pollution in Mexico City, Mexico. 

2. Explain the environmental issue of destruction of the rainforest in Brazil.

How does air pollution affect the citizens of Mexico City? ​

Essential Question​

​Air Pollution in Mexico City

​Mexico City is the second-most populated city in the world with nearly 20 million people living there. The high population has created a huge air pollution problem in the city. Mexico City is considered to be one of the most polluted cities in the world.

Multiple Choice

What is the 2nd most populated city in the world?

• Paris

• New York City

• West Palm Beach

• Mexico City

Multiple Choice

What causes Mexico City to have a huge air pollution problem?

• Because of all the factories and automobiles

• because of its high population

• because of its climate

• because of its location

​Causes

​Emissions from automobiles and factories cause Mexico City’s air pollution. The Sierra Madre mountains are like walls that surround the city and trap in polluted air (called smog). Because there is not enough wind to blow the smog over the mountains, it continues to build up each day.

Effects 

Mexico City’s residents are constantly breathing in harmful gases and chemicals which can eventually lead to severe respiratory problems (like asthma). The city’s high level of pollution can also harm eyes and cause heart problems.

Multiple Choice

What feature causes the polluted air to become trapped in Mexico City?

• tall buildings

• Ural Mountains

• Sierra Madre Mountains

Multiple Choice

Why does smog stay in the city?

• because the people need this air to breathe

• because the wind cannot blow the polluted air over the mountains

• it doesn't, the air conditioning in the city filters harmful substances out

Multiple Choice

Mexico City residents constant breathing in polluted air causes health problems such as asthma and heart problems.

• True

• False

​Solutions

​Mexico City has taken steps to improve air quality over the past two decades. The state oil company, Pemex, started selling lower-sulfur and unleaded gasoline, which are cleaner burning fuels. Mexico City’s government opened dedicated lanes for a public transport system known as Metrobus, built a new subway line, and launched a bicycle-sharing service. Vehicles also have to undergo stricter emission inspections.

Open Ended

Name some of the ways Mexico City is trying to control air pollution.

​Hoy no Circula

In 1989, Mexico City’s government started a program called Hoy No Circula, which is known as One Day Without a Car. The program bans certain cars from driving on specific days of the week based on the last number of the car’s license plate. The Hoy No Circula program is an attempt by the government to reduce air pollution from vehicle emissions. The program has been both popular and controversial. Some feel that it is a reasonable concession aimed to alleviate pollution problems, while others feel it is both inefficient and unfair. Think about how your family would be impacted if you lived in Mexico City…The success of the government’s initiatives have led to cleaner air quality in Mexico City, but it still has a long way to go for pollution-free air.

Multiple Choice

A program started by the government to try to reduce air pollution from vehicles is known as?

• Clean the Air

• Air Pollution Evaporation Program

• Hoy no Circula

Multiple Choice

What does "Hoy No Circula" mean?

• Not to day

• One day without a car

• No good circulation in the air

Multiple Select

How does the citizens of Mexico City feel about the program?

• some thought it was reasonable

• some thought it was unfair and inefficient

• they all thought it was unfair

• they all agreed with it