Latin America’s Environmental Concerns
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Transcript of Latin America’s Environmental Concerns
Latin America’s Environmental Concerns
Unit 7
#1 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
#2 Air Pollution Over Mexico City
#3 Air Pollution Over Mexico City
#4 Causes of Air Pollution1. huge population = lots of cars2. high elevation--less oxygen so fuels
don’t fully burn--higher level of gases that harm eyes,
lungs, & the heart3. Sierra Madre mountains surround
city & trap in polluted air
#5 Surrounded by Mountains…
#6 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
How does geography play a role in Mexico City’s air pollution problem?A. It is one of the world’s largest
cities.B. The city has views of distant
snowcapped mountains.C. It lies in a bowl-shaped valley that
traps air pollutants.D. The cars and factories send
pollution such as lead, sulfur, and carbon monoxide into the air.
What are the main sources of air pollution in Mexico City?A. Intense sunlightB. The high altitudeC. Factories and carsD. Cars that produce little or no air
pollution.
Which solution is a way that the government is trying to reduce pollution in Mexico City?A. Ignoring cars with exhaust
problemsB. Reducing the number of buses
and trainsC. Making sure the population
continues to grow.D. Increasing the number of cars that
produce little or no air pollution.
Which solution to Mexico City’s air pollution problem would be most challenging to businesses?A. Closing factories 1 day a weekB. Using fuels that produce less
pollutionC. Having employees ride trains or
buses to workD. Asking citizens to leave their cars
at home 1 day a week
#7 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
#8 Amazon Rainforest
#9 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
#10 Before…
#11 After…
#12 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.
#13
#14
#15
#16 Solutions…◊ The government is working to fix
the deforestation problem by passing laws on cutting down too many trees.
◊ What else can be done?
Which is a problem associated with deforestation?A. More oxygen is available on the
planet.B. Poor people earn money from
selling trees.C. Native people have too much
forest for their needs.D. There is less forest to produce
goods that humans need.
Why does deforestation increase when the value of crops and cattle go up?A. The value of timber goes up.B. Laws to protect the rainforest are
not enforced.C. People think they can make more
profit selling cattle and crops.D. Environmental groups work with
the government only when prices are down.
What is the main crop grown in areas of deforestation?A. CocoaB. RubberC. SoybeansD. Brazil nuts
The world gets about 20% of which resource from the Amazon Rain Forest?A. MedicineB. OxygenC. RubberD. Soybeans
◊Use the graph on pg. 18 of your CRCT book to answer questions 17-20
#17 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
#18 Problems…◊ Venezuela’s coast has become
polluted with oil.• oil spills have damaged the
environment• hurts the ability of fishermen to earn
a living
#19 Result of Drilling for Oil…
#20 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
#21 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
#22 Why oil?◊ Money from selling oil is the
country’s main source of income.◊ Venezuelans are motivated to keep
producing, selling, and burning oil--and polluting.
#23 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.
What problem has been caused by oil production in Venezuela?A. About 15% of US oil comes from
VenezuelaB. The coast along the Caribbean
Sea has been polluted with oilC. Lake Maracaibo has become the
largest lake in South AmericaD. Venezuela is more polluted than
other South American countries
Why might the Venezuela government NOT want to stop oil production in the country, even though it causes a lot of pollution?A. The government gets about half of its
money from the oil business.B. The government does not care about
damage to the environment.C. People along Lake Maracaibo are now
protected by a dike to prevent flooding.D. People in Venezuela don’t care about
the environment as much as other people.
Who is affected first by carbon dioxide pollution?A. Healthy adultsB. Children and the elderlyC. Farmers along Lake MaracaiboD. Fisherman along the Caribbean
coast
Some scientists believe that increases in carbon dioxide contribute toA. Algal bloomB. Oil slicks on the Caribbean coastC. Global warmingD. Clear cutting