Helena Joyce
South America, home to the second-largest river and the world's longest mountain range, is facing a multitude of environmental issues. The continent's natural landscapes and biological diversity are under threat from pollution, deforestation, water scarcity, sea level rise, and glacial melting. Air pollution, largely due to industrial and automobile emissions, is a major problem in South American cities, with over 150 million people living in urban areas that do not meet air quality standards. Water pollution is also a significant issue, with major water bodies like the Medellin River in Colombia and Argentina's Riachuelo River subjected to large-scale industrial and human waste contamination. Deforestation is another pressing concern, with the Gran Chaco, the continent's second-largest forest, losing more than one-fifth of its trees since 1985, threatening the livelihoods of indigenous communities and exacerbating climate change. These environmental challenges pose risks to both human health and the diverse ecosystems that South America supports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Water pollution | A large portion of water goes untreated for human consumption and use. Major water bodies in the continent, including the Medellin River in Colombia, Guanabara Bay in Brazil, and Argentina's Riachuelo River, are continually subjected to large-scale industrial and anthropogenic pollution. |
| Water scarcity | Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia face water scarcity and droughts, leading to a loss of livelihoods, biodiversity, and food and water insecurity. |
| Deforestation | The Amazon rainforest in Brazil and the Gran Chaco forest spanning Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia have been affected by deforestation, threatening the livelihood of Indigenous communities and amplifying climate change. |
| Air pollution | Megacities in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and Brazil have poor air quality due to industrial and automobile emissions, vehicular pollution, and the use of wood for heating and cooking. Over 150 million people in South America live in urban areas that do not meet air quality standards. |
| Climate change | South America is vulnerable to climate change impacts, including hydrometeorological issues, desertification, biodiversity loss, and sea level rise. |
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What You'll Learn
Air pollution
In South America, there are five megacities (Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Lima, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo) with over 10 million people, which contribute to wide-ranging environmental consequences. Atmospheric particulate matter (APM) plays a leading role in the transport of trace metals and metalloids through the atmosphere and are chemical markers of air quality. Despite the phasing out of leaded gasoline, Pb continues to be a metal pollutant with one of the highest atmospheric emission rates, mainly due to vehicular pollution.
In the last few years, air pollution has become a more pressing in some Latin American countries due to urban development and growing industrialization. Vehicle emissions and stationary-source fuel combustion are the primary sources of air pollution in these countries. Although air-quality standards have been established in some Latin American countries, they are frequently exceeded. The adverse health effects of air pollution are mainly associated with pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter.
In Chile, air pollution is at its worst during the winter due to the widespread use of wood for heating and cooking in homes and buildings. Cities in central and southern Chile typically have air quality levels that are among the worst in the Western Hemisphere. Ten million Chileans live in areas categorized as "saturated" due to high levels of fine particulate matter in the air. Most countries and cities in the region do not have standards for fuel efficiency, vehicle emissions, or fuel quality, which are generally considered the basic standards for creating a cleaner transportation sector.
However, there is progress in Latin America with public policies, private sector initiatives, financial innovation, and civil society action, all directed towards addressing this problem. For example, bicycles, pedestrian zones, public transport, and electromobility can play a significant role in reducing air pollution in Latin American cities.
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Water pollution
South America is home to about 30% of the world's freshwater sources. However, the region is facing a water crisis due to poor or untreated water, large-scale mismanagement, overexploitation, and pollution. This crisis has had irreversible health effects, especially on children's lives, with water-related diseases causing the deaths of approximately two million people annually, mostly children under the age of five.
The core issue of water pollution in South America is the lack of water treatment, with less than 40% of the region's water being treated for human consumption and use. This results in polluted water entering lakes, rivers, and oceans, contaminated with human and animal waste, industrial waste, and sewage. Major water bodies such as the Medellin River in Colombia, Guanabara Bay in Brazil, and Argentina's Riachuelo River suffer from large-scale industrial and human pollution, making the water unsafe for consumption and use.
The impact of water pollution is exacerbated by the lack of access to sanitation facilities, affecting approximately 110 million people in the region. This has led to the contamination of underground aquifers, rivers, and lakes, with impoverished communities bearing the brunt of these issues. Additionally, the region's groundwater is subject to increasing commercial pollution and overexploitation, threatening the main water source for many.
Climate change further exacerbates South America's water challenges. The retreat of glaciers in the tropical Andes and the loss of glaciers in Peru and Bolivia contribute to rising temperatures, posing a serious threat to water security. Deforestation, driven partly by government policies that encourage water-intensive industries, also plays a role in the region's environmental issues.
Despite the challenges, there have been notable improvements in water access across Latin America in the last decade. For instance, Santiago, Chile, successfully treated 100% of its wastewater by constructing new wastewater treatment plants, transforming the Mapocho River from a polluted waterway to a revitalized urban feature. Additionally, the collaboration between Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay to protect the Guarani Aquifer System, one of the world's largest groundwater reservoirs, demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding water resources through environmental protection and sustainable development plans.
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Deforestation
South America is facing multiple environmental issues, including water pollution, water scarcity, sea level rise, and glacial melting. However, one of the most pressing issues is deforestation, which is having devastating impacts on the region's biodiversity, climate, and local communities, particularly Indigenous populations.
The Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon rainforest, located in Brazil, is facing rampant deforestation, driven by anthropogenic climate change and agricultural expansion. Between 2010 and 2020, South America lost an average of 2.6 million hectares of forest per year, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This loss has severe consequences for the region's biodiversity and climate.
The Gran Chaco
The Gran Chaco, the continent's second-largest forest, is also under significant pressure from deforestation. Since 1985, the Gran Chaco has lost more than 140,000 square kilometres of forest, about one-fifth of its entire area. This forest spans Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the South American jaguar and the screaming hairy armadillo. The deforestation in this region is threatening the livelihoods of Indigenous hunter-gatherers and small-scale farmers, with large commercial farms taking over and droughts and extreme rainfall making it harder to grow crops.
Indigenous Territories
Overall, deforestation in South America is having devastating impacts on the region's biodiversity, climate, and local communities. It is contributing to carbon emissions, amplifying climate change, and leading to biodiversity loss. Efforts to address this issue and support affected communities are crucial to preserving the region's unique natural landscapes and the well-being of its inhabitants.
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Industrial and automobile emissions
South America is facing a range of environmental issues, including water pollution, deforestation, sea level rise, and glacial melting. One of the key challenges is the balance between economic growth and carbon emissions reduction. Industrial and automobile emissions have been significant contributors to air pollution in South America, particularly in its megacities.
The continent has five megacities with over 10 million people each: Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Lima, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. These cities have experienced air quality deterioration due to both industrial and automobile emissions. Atmospheric particulate matter (APM) is a significant concern, as it transports trace metals and metalloids through the atmosphere, impacting air quality and human health. Lead, for example, has been a notable pollutant, with vehicular pollution being a major contributor.
The rapid industrialization and population growth in South American countries have exacerbated emission issues. The transport and electricity sectors comprise over 60% of total emissions, with Brazil being the top emitter, followed by Chile, which saw the largest increase in emissions. Paraguay recorded the highest emission growth rate.
The impact of automobile emissions is particularly evident in locations influenced by heavy traffic, such as South American megacities, where road traffic emissions can even surpass industrial emissions as the primary source of pollution. This has led to the production of gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, all of which have detrimental effects on human health and the environment.
To address these issues, countries like Brazil are focusing on energy efficiency, while Argentina prioritizes reducing carbon intensity. These strategies are crucial in mitigating the health and environmental consequences of industrial and automobile emissions in South America.
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Climate change
South America is facing severe impacts from climate change. The rise in temperatures across the subcontinent has been more pronounced in some regions, which have also seen an increase in the occurrence of droughts and weather conditions associated with enhanced fire risk.
Temperature Rise and Extreme Weather
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that between 2000 and 2013, 613 extreme climate and hydro-meteorological events occurred, including hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, and droughts. These events have resulted in the displacement of people, fatalities, and economic losses. Tropical storms originating in the Atlantic and Pacific have particularly devastated parts of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
South America's temperatures are rising, and some areas are experiencing changes in the frequency and severity of weather extremes such as heavy rains. The northern Amazon region has seen a threefold increase in the number of days per year with extreme fire weather conditions, including high temperatures, dryness, and low humidity. The warming of the tropical Pacific Ocean influences the variability of dry compounds in South America, with El Niño enhancing fire risk in the northern Amazon.
Sea Level Rise and Ocean Warming
The two oceans flanking Latin America, the Pacific and the Atlantic, are warming and becoming more acidic while sea levels rise. By 2100, sea levels could rise by another one to four feet. This rise threatens the Latin American population, particularly those living on the coast, by contaminating freshwater aquifers, eroding shorelines, and increasing the risks of storm surges.
Health Impacts
The changing climate has had detrimental effects on the health of South Americans. Deaths related to heat in South America increased by 160% between 2017 and 2021 compared to 2000-2004. Wildfires, which are becoming more frequent due to higher temperatures and reduced rainfall, can cause direct physical harm or death through smoke inhalation and increase the long-term risk of various cancers.
Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss
Deforestation is a significant issue in South America, particularly in the Amazon rainforest and the Gran Chaco region. This loss of forests amplifies climate change by releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and reducing carbon sequestration. It also threatens the livelihoods of Indigenous communities and contributes to biodiversity loss.
Water Pollution and Scarcity
Water pollution is a critical issue in South America, where a large portion of water goes untreated for human consumption. Major water bodies, such as the Medellin River in Colombia, Guanabara Bay in Brazil, and Argentina's Riachuelo River, are subjected to large-scale industrial and anthropogenic pollution. Additionally, water scarcity is a problem in parts of Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia, with an intense mega-drought in Chile contributing to water and food insecurity.
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Frequently asked questions
Atmospheric pollution in South American megacities is largely caused by industrial and automobile emissions.
Atmospheric pollution is the single largest environmental risk to human health, causing about 7 million deaths per year. In South America, approximately 45,000 premature deaths occur annually due to air pollution.
Five megacities in South America—Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Lima, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo—are affected by air pollution. These cities are spread across Colombia, Argentina, Perú, Brazil, and Brazil, respectively.
Water pollution in South America is largely caused by untreated water entering lakes and rivers, along with human and animal waste.
Major water bodies in South America, such as the Medellin River in Colombia, Guanabara Bay in Brazil, and Argentina's Riachuelo River, are subjected to industrial and anthropogenic pollution, which contaminates water sources and makes them unsafe.
