Environmental Concerns of Latin America

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

◊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

◊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

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

​Solutions

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

Solutions