Geography & Environmental Issues

What is a major environmental concern in Mexico City?

• smog/air pollution

• extraction of natural resources

• deforestation

• over-production of oil (spills/ leaks)

The deforestation of which physical feature is a threat to the world?

• Amazon River

• Sierra Madre Mountains

• Amazon Rainforest

• Andes Mountains

What is the most populated city in the western hemisphere (22 million +) and therefore has a major air pollution problem?

• New York City

• Mexico City

• Havana

• Rio

Which term is defined by vehicle exhaust and factory smoke (air pollution) combined with fog creating a gray-brown haze?

• smog

• logging

• acid rain

• deforestation

Which Latin American country borders the United States and has air pollution as a problem in its capital?

• Brazil

• Mexico

• Panama

• Cuba

What is deforestation?

• the contamination of the air by the introduction of pollutants from human and natural sources

• When vehicle exhaust and factory smoke (air pollution) combine with fog creating a gray-brown haze

• The process of planting more trees

• The clearing of trees; transforming of a forest into cleared land

Select FOUR reasons as to why people cut down trees:

• To clear land to create more living space

• To free up space for agricultural reasons

• To sell lumber

• To grow more trees

• To free up more land for cattles

True or False: Air pollution in Mexico City can lead to acid rain.

• True

• False

How does physical geography play a role in Mexico’s City pollution problem?

• It is one of the world’s largest cities

• The city has views of distant snow capped mountains

• It lies in a valley surrounded by mountains that trap air pollutants

• The cars and factories send pollution such as lead, sulfur, and carbon monoxide into the air

All of the following are solutions for Mexico City's air pollution issue, EXCEPT which one?

• online system showing the air quality of different parts of the city that is updated consistently

• encourage the use of public transit systems as an alternative means of transportation

• close businesses & schools 1 day a week to reduce people traveling

• limit the number of days citizens are permitted to operate their personal motor vehicles