3.5 Geographic Insights: Middle and South America Review and Self-Test

• 1. Climate Change and Deforestation: Deforestation in this region contributes to climate change by removing trees, which as living plants naturally absorb carbon dioxide. As the cut vegetation decays, large amounts of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere. Sustainable alternatives to deforestation are being tried.
  

  • Question

    What factors are driving the cycle of deforestation in this region? How is the market economy a factor?

  • Question

    How are the processes of global warming and deforestation linked?

  • Question

    What are some possibly sustainable alternatives to deforestation?
• 2. Water: Despite the region’s abundant water resources, parts of the region are experiencing a water crisis related to unplanned urbanization; marketization; corruption; inadequate water infrastructure; and the use of water to irrigate commercial agriculture.
  

  • Question

    What is driving increases in overall water consumption?

  • Question

    Why is per capita water use going up?
• 3. Globalization, Development, and Democratization: The integration of this region with the world economy has led to growing disparities of wealth and opportunity, forcing millions to migrate in search of work. A political backlash against these patterns of development has brought to power some leaders who question the benefits of globalization, while others seek to help their countries compete globally.
  

  • Question

    What are some factors that are hampering the equitable distribution of wealth?

  • Question

    Why did import substitution fail as a strategy to develop manufacturing and service-based industries?

  • Question

    Why has there been so much dissatisfaction with SAPs?
• 4. Food and Urbanization: The shift from small-scale, subsistence food production to mechanized agriculture for export has fueled migration to cities. Many places previously were self-sufficient with regard to food; they now depend on imported food, making them susceptible to food insecurity.
  

  • Question

    How have new food production techniques changed the demand for agricultural labor?

  • Question

    Why has food insecurity increased with the advent of modern, mechanized agriculture?

  • Question

    How have cities responded to the waves of migrants from rural areas?
• 5. Population: A population explosion in the twentieth century has given this region about 596 million people, more than 10 times the population of the region in 1492. Now social and economic changes, including urbanization and the availability of contraception, are giving women options other than raising a family.
  

  • Question

    What accounts for the population explosion of the last century?

  • Question

    What are the urbanization factors that have resulted in smaller family size and more options for women?
• 6. Gender: Traditional gender roles are changing as women work outside the home and manage families in the absence of migrating males. Also, urbanization is reducing the influence of extended families, opening the door for many types of social change.
  

  • Question

    How does migration to the city influence extended family relationships?

  • Question

    Why does the opportunity to gain an education so strongly affect a woman’s fertility?