Environmental+Problems

Environmental Problems in Latin America

Chilean chemical engineer Héctor Jorquera told IPS. //"We have problems of pollution in cities and of availability of water resources, threatened and endangered species, over-exploitation of marine resources, and a rise in diseases (especially skin cancer) caused by the thinning of the ozone layer, which is having an extremely strong effect at the southern tip of the continent."//

Latin America is the most urbanized region in the developing world. With a total area of 6.8 million square miles, South America accounts for almost 3.5 percent of the Earth’s surface. Almost 40% of the urban population live on less than a dollar a day. Poverty leads to lack of health care, clean water, sanitation, and infectious diseases.

This region is home to some of the largest rivers in the world, which leads to diversity in animals. The loss of between 20 to 45 percent of tree species in Brazil is predicted by the end of the century. Threats to the biodiversity include deforestation, loss of habitat, soil erosion, and marine pollution. The region is also very vulnerable to climate change. For example, the glaciers in the Andes are shrinking as well as other water sources. In some areas there is too much rainfall, and in the others there is not enough.

The oil industry has polluted lakes and other water sources. Deforestation is happening due to expansion of industries, urbanization, plantation, logging, and mining. The effects are soil erosion and loss of biodiversity.

Air pollution in Mexico City is also a big factor since nearly 20 million people live there. Lots of cars and the high elevation lead to air pollution. The surrounding mountains trap the smog into the city.



The Amazon rainforest produces 1/3 of our oxygen and is being cut down to creat farms and homes. The increase in carbon dioxide leads to global warming and many of the animals are losing their homes and becoming extinct.



http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39811 http://www.slideshare.net/templep79/latin-america-environmental-issues

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/southamerica/index.htm