People and the Environment of South America

1. People and the Environment of South America Ch. 9.3

2. Video Warm-up - Amazon 1. What natural resource was discovered under the Amazon rain forest? 2. What did the oil companies do in the jungles of Ecuador that have angered many people? 3. 3. What are some Ecuadorians doing to try to remedy the situation?

3. Answers to Video Warm-up 1. Large reserves of oil were found under the rain forest. 2. The oil companies left behind many pools of toxic waste. The waste was the result of the drilling process. It included both toxic chemicals and oil residue. 3. Some Ecuadorians, including at least one native tribe, are suing Chevron, the owner of the company that polluted their land.

4. People and Their Environment: South America Managing Resources

5. While the use of natural resources has advanced economic growth and increased stability, it has also damaged the environment and the biodiversity of South America.

6. Deforestation has destroyed almost 20 percent of the Amazon rain forest, threatening nearly half of all animal and plant species on Earth.

7. Monoculture and soil erosion contribute to decreased soil fertility and desertification, which reduces the area of nutrient-rich soils and grasses needed to grow crops or to feed livestock. Monoculture= growing only one crop in an are depletes soil of nutrients- soil erosion Oxisols-severely depleted soils- in humid tropical areas can degrade into baked land if intensive ag

8. Monoculture- growing only one crop destroying the soil

11. People and Their Environment: South America Human Impact

12. Urban growth and industrialization have created environmental pollution.

15. A lack of funding and organization often results in a city’s lack of adequate plumbing infrastructure necessary to deliver clean water and remove sewage.

17. Illegal mining activity has grown as the value of precious metals and raw materials has increased, exacerbating the pollution problem.

19. People and Their Environment: South America Addressing the Issues • Reducing the human impact on the environment is critical to protecting biodiversity and preserving the livelihood of the population. • Implementation of anti-deforestation laws and farming management practices are among the efforts underway to reduce drought and soil erosion. • South America’s countries are working together to address the problems related to urbanization, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to develop public transport systems, and to regulate the exportation of natural resources.

20. Reducing the human impact on the environment is critical to protecting biodiversity and preserving the livelihood of the population.

21. Implementation of anti-deforestation laws and farming management practices are among the efforts underway to reduce drought and soil erosion.

22. South America’s countries are working together to address the problems related to urbanization, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to develop public transport systems, and to regulate the exportation of natural resources

25. Zero Deforestation Law in 2004- in E. Paraguay Laws restricting pollution emissions Planting more cover crops to reduce soil erosion Restricting access to natural resources Farmers and countries working toward the same goals.