Environmental Concerns of Latin America

Environmental Concerns of Latin America

Be sure to write what is in yellow on your organizer. ​

Air Pollution in Mexico City

Air Pollution in Mexico City

◊nearly 20 million people live here​

◊city’s population & location contribute to its bad air pollution problem​

◊considered to be the most polluted city in the world​

​Description

huge population = lots of cars

Cause of Air Pollution #1

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​high elevation--less oxygen so fuels don’t fully burn

--higher level of gases that harm eyes, lungs, & the heart​

Cause of Air Pollution #2​

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​Sierra Madre mountains surround city & trap in polluted air

Cause of Air Pollution #3

Description

Open Ended

What can the citizens do to slow air pollution in Mexico City? (The next side will give you what to write in your organizer for 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

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​Solutions

​Solutions

Amazon Rainforest

​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 20% of the earth’s oxygen

​Description

Amazon Rainforest

Deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest

◊Deforestation 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

Description

Before

​After

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.

Description

Open Ended

What do you think citizens can do to help the Amazon?

​Solutions

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

Solutions

Open Ended

What other countries have we studied that have these issues?

Open Ended

Compare Mexico’s pollution to Germany’s acid rain problem. How are they alike and different?

Open Ended

Do you see any of these concerns locally?