Transcript Latin America`s Environmental Concerns

Warm Up- January 11, 2016
Which describes a government that distributes
power under a unitary system?
A
There is a central authority that makes all
major decisions.
B
Two or more countries form an alliance
to make decisions.
C
The citizens of the country elect leaders
at multiple levels that make decisions.
D
A group of separate countries or regions
agree to join together for specific purposes.
Photo Analysis
Describe what you
see. What is
happening in each
image? What do you
wonder?
Standards
SS6G2 The student will discuss
environmental issues in Latin America
a. Explain the major environmental
concerns of Latin America regarding the
issues of air pollution in Mexico City, Mexico,
the destruction of the rain forest in Brazil,
and oil-related pollution in Venezuela
Essential Question
What are the major concerns
with Mexico, Brazil, and
Venezuela’s environment?
Latin America’s Environmental
Concerns
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
◊ considered to be the most polluted city
in the world
Air Pollution Over Mexico City
Air Pollution Over Mexico City
Causes of Air Pollution
1. huge population = lots of cars
2. 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
Surrounded by Mountains…
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
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
Amazon Rainforest
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
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.
Solutions…
◊ The government is working to fix the
deforestation problem by passing laws
on cutting down too many trees.
◊ What else can be done?
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
Problems…
◊ Venezuela’s coast has become polluted
with oil.
• oil spills have damaged the environment
• hurts the ability of fishermen to earn a
living
Result of Drilling for Oil…
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
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
Problems…
◊ Money from selling oil is the country’s
main source of income.
◊ Venezuelans are motivated to keep
producing, selling, and burning oil--and
polluting.
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.
Closing-Bumper Sticker
◊ Create a bumper sticker with a short statement or
message convincing those who read it to solve the
environmental issues of Latin America.
◊ IT MUST Have:
◊ Thoughtful message or statement describing your
choice of which environmental issue in Latin America
to solve.
◊ Colorful Visual
◊ Underneath your creation, in a well-developed
paragraph, describe the environmental issue and
how it can be solved.