Mexico City is it all Mexico City is it all doom and gloom?doom and gloom?

LO: To understand what threats LO: To understand what threats Mexico City facesMexico City faces

To understand how these threats To understand how these threats can be overcomecan be overcome

Mexico City problems Mexico City problems starter card sortstarter card sort

Order the cards into importance of Order the cards into importance of the most serious to the least seriousthe most serious to the least serious

Mexico City’s population is over Mexico City’s population is over 19 million making it the 319 million making it the 3rdrd largest urban area in the world.largest urban area in the world.

London’s population is 7.7 million London’s population is 7.7 million so you can see the comparison.so you can see the comparison.

So how do so manySo how do so manypeople get around?people get around?

Mexico City FactsMexico City Facts

In July 2007 Mexico City had some of In July 2007 Mexico City had some of the worst air pollution in the world. the worst air pollution in the world.

The city's residents lose 2.5 million The city's residents lose 2.5 million working days a year to health working days a year to health problems caused by particle matter, problems caused by particle matter, such as soot. such as soot.

It’s position doesn’t help!It’s position doesn’t help! Mexico City is situated on top of a high plain Mexico City is situated on top of a high plain

at an altitude of 7,200 feet (2200 meters), at an altitude of 7,200 feet (2200 meters), and is surrounded on three sides by and is surrounded on three sides by mountains. mountains.

Because of it’s high altitude air pressure is Because of it’s high altitude air pressure is greater making the pollution more visible.greater making the pollution more visible.

Smog hangs over the city much of the year, Smog hangs over the city much of the year, and thermal inversions keep polluted air and thermal inversions keep polluted air close to the ground during the winter. close to the ground during the winter.

About 21 million people live in the About 21 million people live in the metropolitan area, and about 6 million cars metropolitan area, and about 6 million cars are in circulation.are in circulation.

Thermal InversionThermal Inversion

Thermal inversion occurs when a Thermal inversion occurs when a layer of warm air settles over a layer layer of warm air settles over a layer of cooler air that lies near the of cooler air that lies near the ground. The warm air holds down the ground. The warm air holds down the cool air and prevents pollutants from cool air and prevents pollutants from rising and scattering.rising and scattering.

Pollution LevelsPollution Levels 30 to 50 percent of the time, Mexico 30 to 50 percent of the time, Mexico

City’s pollution levels exceed levels City’s pollution levels exceed levels recommended by the WHO. And the recommended by the WHO. And the metropolis did not meet acceptable air metropolis did not meet acceptable air quality standards for ozone limits 209 quality standards for ozone limits 209 days in 2006. Yet this was a major days in 2006. Yet this was a major improvement over 1994, when 340 improvement over 1994, when 340 days did not meet the standards. days did not meet the standards.

According to Dr. Juan Luis Jose Sienra, According to Dr. Juan Luis Jose Sienra, an asthma expert and a practitioner at an asthma expert and a practitioner at the National Children’s Hospital in the National Children’s Hospital in Mexico City, about 9 percent of Mexico Mexico City, about 9 percent of Mexico City residents have asthma. “Pollution City residents have asthma. “Pollution doesn’t cause asthma, but pollen and doesn’t cause asthma, but pollen and ozone can make it worse,” said Dr. ozone can make it worse,” said Dr. Sienra. Sienra.

So where So where does all does all

this this pollution pollution

come come from?from?

Volcanic Activity- The Volcanic Activity- The Popocatepetl ("the smoking Popocatepetl ("the smoking

mountain") mountain") Situated atop three of the large tectonic Situated atop three of the large tectonic

plates that constitute the earth's surface, plates that constitute the earth's surface, Mexico is one of the most seismologically Mexico is one of the most seismologically active regions on earth.active regions on earth.

The motion of these plates causes The motion of these plates causes earthquakes and volcanic activity.earthquakes and volcanic activity.

This volcano has not massively erupted in a This volcano has not massively erupted in a number of years, but often blows off plumes number of years, but often blows off plumes of ash as a reminder to the inhabitants of of ash as a reminder to the inhabitants of Mexico City that just 40 miles away a Mexico City that just 40 miles away a potentially devastating hazard lies waiting.potentially devastating hazard lies waiting.

Earthquakes- Mexico City last Earthquakes- Mexico City last major earthquake was is 1985, major earthquake was is 1985,

but is due another any time but is due another any time soon!soon! It has a hi-tech warning system in It has a hi-tech warning system in

place.place. Schools and Businesses have proper Schools and Businesses have proper

evacuation procedures which they evacuation procedures which they practice regularly just like we practice regularly just like we practice fire drills.practice fire drills.

Then in April 2009 came the Then in April 2009 came the Swine Flu outbreakSwine Flu outbreak

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/808317http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8083179.stm9.stm

How did the population of Mexico How did the population of Mexico City influence the spread of the City influence the spread of the disease?disease?

The crowded CityThe crowded City

The poor partsThe poor parts

The rich partsThe rich parts

Mexico City's crime rate is continuing to rise especially in the Mexico City's crime rate is continuing to rise especially in the current economic climate. The most common crimes reported current economic climate. The most common crimes reported are:are: KidnappingsKidnappings RobberiesRobberies MurdersMurders

Mexico City's inner core has about 8 million people — about the Mexico City's inner core has about 8 million people — about the same number as New York City. However, Mexico City's police same number as New York City. However, Mexico City's police force is only two-thirds the size of New York City's.force is only two-thirds the size of New York City's.

As the US and Canada increase their drug consumption, there is As the US and Canada increase their drug consumption, there is an increasing demand to supply their addicts and this has led to an increasing demand to supply their addicts and this has led to an increasing number of drug wars.an increasing number of drug wars. Wars between the police and the drug traffickersWars between the police and the drug traffickers Wars between the rival drug gangsWars between the rival drug gangs

The police forces in Mexico are very disorganised and corrupt The police forces in Mexico are very disorganised and corrupt because:because: Policemen earn less than a quarter of their U.S. counterparts so are Policemen earn less than a quarter of their U.S. counterparts so are

easily bribed.easily bribed. Policemen are rarely educated above primary education.Policemen are rarely educated above primary education. Even when criminals are caught, the courts are often too corrupt and Even when criminals are caught, the courts are often too corrupt and

inefficient to punish them.inefficient to punish them.

CrimeCrime

TaskTask

From the slides you have just seen From the slides you have just seen create a spider diagram of all the create a spider diagram of all the hazards that this megacity faces.hazards that this megacity faces.

Expand as much as possible.Expand as much as possible. When finished, write a paragraph to When finished, write a paragraph to

explain what is the biggest problem explain what is the biggest problem that the Mexico City faces and why?that the Mexico City faces and why?

PlenaryPlenary

So is Mexico City all doom and So is Mexico City all doom and gloom?gloom?

Discuss your answers and your Discuss your answers and your reasons why.reasons why.

What does this image show?What does this image show?

LOLO

To understand the strategies Mexico To understand the strategies Mexico City is using to try and shape up.City is using to try and shape up.

To evaluate the successfulness of the To evaluate the successfulness of the strategies and see if they will work.strategies and see if they will work.

To decide what more can be done to To decide what more can be done to make Mexico City a less polluted make Mexico City a less polluted City.City.

Is the distribution of population Is the distribution of population changing and what does this changing and what does this

mean?mean?

Task 1Task 1

Describe the graph and explain the Describe the graph and explain the reasons for this shift in population.reasons for this shift in population.

Swap your books and read/mark your Swap your books and read/mark your partners.partners.

Then hand it back and read over your Then hand it back and read over your own.own.

What does this show?What does this show?

So what strategies have been So what strategies have been applied?applied?

Mexico: Program to Improve the Air Mexico: Program to Improve the Air Quality in the Mexico City Metropolitan Quality in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (PROAIRE)Area (PROAIRE) 2002-2010 2002-2010

Includes more than 80 measures that affect Includes more than 80 measures that affect transportation, industry, the service sector, transportation, industry, the service sector, natural resources, health, and education.natural resources, health, and education.

It focuses on the reduction of ozone and It focuses on the reduction of ozone and particulate matter, and emphasizes particulate matter, and emphasizes environmental education and citizen environmental education and citizen participation.participation.

PROAIRE & The Integrated PROAIRE & The Integrated Environmental Strategies (IES) Environmental Strategies (IES)

ProgramProgram The IES (US) program engages developing countries to help The IES (US) program engages developing countries to help

build support for integrated planning to reduce emissions of build support for integrated planning to reduce emissions of both global greenhouse gases (GHGs) and local air pollutants.both global greenhouse gases (GHGs) and local air pollutants.

The program promotes the analysis of and local support for The program promotes the analysis of and local support for implementation of policy measures resulting in multiple implementation of policy measures resulting in multiple environmental, public health, and economic “co-benefits.” environmental, public health, and economic “co-benefits.”

By analysing and implementing “integrated” policies and By analysing and implementing “integrated” policies and measures, such as clean energy (e.g., renewable energy), measures, such as clean energy (e.g., renewable energy), energy efficiency (e.g., improved energy efficiency standards energy efficiency (e.g., improved energy efficiency standards for appliances), and public transportation (e.g., converting for appliances), and public transportation (e.g., converting diesel buses to compressed natural gas), IES partners have an diesel buses to compressed natural gas), IES partners have an opportunity to make a positive impact on local air quality, opportunity to make a positive impact on local air quality, public health, and the economy, while at the same time public health, and the economy, while at the same time reducing GHGs at the global level.reducing GHGs at the global level.

The National Institute of Ecology (INE)—the key Mexican The National Institute of Ecology (INE)—the key Mexican governmental partner—began IES work with PROAIRE in governmental partner—began IES work with PROAIRE in Mexico City, in February 2002. Mexico City, in February 2002.

The policies that follow are the result.The policies that follow are the result.

MetrobúsMetrobús

June 2005 the Government introduced the Metrobús.June 2005 the Government introduced the Metrobús. The system replaced 372 standard buses and microbuses The system replaced 372 standard buses and microbuses

with 212 articulated buses.with 212 articulated buses. These busses are less polluting and have enabled These busses are less polluting and have enabled

average speeds at which the city busses travel to average speeds at which the city busses travel to increase.increase.

Doing so, travel times along the corridor where they have Doing so, travel times along the corridor where they have been implemented are reduced up to 50%. been implemented are reduced up to 50%.

The bus line claimed to be carrying more than 260,000 The bus line claimed to be carrying more than 260,000 people daily and since then has increased the routes people daily and since then has increased the routes available around the city.available around the city.

The plan is now for Metro Expansion: Complete 76 km of The plan is now for Metro Expansion: Complete 76 km of new metro construction by 2050.new metro construction by 2050.

The government also promised to replace 1,029 old The government also promised to replace 1,029 old diesel buses with hybrid buses by 2006.diesel buses with hybrid buses by 2006.

Modernise TaxisModernise Taxis Taxi Fleet Renovation: Replace 80% Taxi Fleet Renovation: Replace 80%

of old taxis with new less emissions of old taxis with new less emissions taxis by 2010.taxis by 2010.

Taxis have special license plates. Taxis have special license plates. The registration number starts with "L" The registration number starts with "L"

or "A" for free-roaming taxis, and with or "A" for free-roaming taxis, and with "S" for base taxis (registered taxis based "S" for base taxis (registered taxis based on a certain spot, called "sitios").on a certain spot, called "sitios").

CogenerationCogeneration Cogeneration: Install 160 megawatts of new Cogeneration: Install 160 megawatts of new

cogeneration capacity by 2010.cogeneration capacity by 2010. CogenerationCogeneration is is combined heat and combined heat and

powerpower.. It is the use of a heat engine or a power It is the use of a heat engine or a power

station to simultaneously generate both station to simultaneously generate both electricity and useful heat. Eg. Using waste electricity and useful heat. Eg. Using waste heat from power stations through pipes to heat from power stations through pipes to heat homes.heat homes.

It is one of the most common forms of energy It is one of the most common forms of energy recycling.recycling.

Reduce Liquid Petroleum Gas Reduce Liquid Petroleum Gas LeaksLeaks

Perform stove maintenance in one Perform stove maintenance in one million households to eliminate leaks.million households to eliminate leaks.

This meant millions of residential This meant millions of residential cooking and water heating devices cooking and water heating devices across the city needed to be checked across the city needed to be checked and improved.and improved.

Costs and Economic Health Costs and Economic Health Benefits, 2003-2020Benefits, 2003-2020(million U.S. $/year) (million U.S. $/year)

Vehicle Registration Vehicle Registration LimitationsLimitations

In Mexico City there is a restriction called "Hoy no circula" ("Today you In Mexico City there is a restriction called "Hoy no circula" ("Today you can't drive") which only applies to vehicles over 8 years old.can't drive") which only applies to vehicles over 8 years old.

This restriction does not allow people to drive for one day during the This restriction does not allow people to drive for one day during the week and one Saturday per month, depending on their last license week and one Saturday per month, depending on their last license plate digit number, 5&6 on Monday, 7&8 on Tuesday, 3&4 on plate digit number, 5&6 on Monday, 7&8 on Tuesday, 3&4 on Wednesday, 1&2 on Thursday, 9&0 on Friday. Wednesday, 1&2 on Thursday, 9&0 on Friday.

For Example: "789 HME" license plate number cannot drive on Fridays For Example: "789 HME" license plate number cannot drive on Fridays and when the current month has 5 Saturdays.and when the current month has 5 Saturdays.

If the pollution is really bad then the ban will extend for 2 days.If the pollution is really bad then the ban will extend for 2 days. Government officials claim that this program: "it's for the well being Government officials claim that this program: "it's for the well being

and ecology of the city” however others claim has nothing to do with and ecology of the city” however others claim has nothing to do with it, since you can only drive every day for 8 years and then you buy a it, since you can only drive every day for 8 years and then you buy a new car. new car.

Mexican people are forced to buy cheaper and less safe new cars, and Mexican people are forced to buy cheaper and less safe new cars, and dispose of it faster than they would on a fully equipped more dispose of it faster than they would on a fully equipped more expensive safer car, in order to maintain the privilege of driving every expensive safer car, in order to maintain the privilege of driving every day. day.

Government car safety regulations do not exist in Mexico, cheap Government car safety regulations do not exist in Mexico, cheap affordable cars are sold under £4,500 with little or no safety affordable cars are sold under £4,500 with little or no safety equipment at all.equipment at all.

An increasing number of middle class Mexicans are now buying cheap An increasing number of middle class Mexicans are now buying cheap cars without ABS Airbags, ESP etc. (Although offered in more cars without ABS Airbags, ESP etc. (Although offered in more expensive models) in order to protect their investment due to expensive models) in order to protect their investment due to catastrophic resale value of vehicles over the 8 year old barrier. catastrophic resale value of vehicles over the 8 year old barrier.

What do you think of this What do you think of this policy?policy?

Due to these measures old cars are not thrown away, Due to these measures old cars are not thrown away, rather sold to people with lower incomes who cannot rather sold to people with lower incomes who cannot afford to buy new vehicles. Families on lower incomes afford to buy new vehicles. Families on lower incomes buy used cars over 8 years old and instead of buying 1 buy used cars over 8 years old and instead of buying 1 car for a 4 member family they would buy 2 cars to be car for a 4 member family they would buy 2 cars to be able to drive every day.able to drive every day.

This program has been proposed to nations around the This program has been proposed to nations around the world, but all of them rejected it for being useless, world, but all of them rejected it for being useless, creating more traffic and pollution due to higher creating more traffic and pollution due to higher numbers of vehicles than it is meant to stop.numbers of vehicles than it is meant to stop.

In addition, car owners must have their vehicles In addition, car owners must have their vehicles certified every six months like an MOT in this country.certified every six months like an MOT in this country.

But if lead, carbon monoxide, and sulphur dioxide are But if lead, carbon monoxide, and sulphur dioxide are now under control, pollution levels of other now under control, pollution levels of other contaminants are still far above air quality standards.contaminants are still far above air quality standards.

So what do the Mexicans So what do the Mexicans think?think?

A poll suggested that 30% of Mexicans A poll suggested that 30% of Mexicans do not trust any data produced by the do not trust any data produced by the government due to corruption.government due to corruption.

Instead they judge the quality of the air Instead they judge the quality of the air by if they can see the mountains or not.by if they can see the mountains or not.

They feel that the policies have They feel that the policies have generally been effective, however much generally been effective, however much more could be done.more could be done.

Summary & ReviewSummary & Review In 1992, the United Nations described Mexico City’s air as the In 1992, the United Nations described Mexico City’s air as the

most polluted on the planet.most polluted on the planet. Six years later, that air earned Mexico the reputation of “the Six years later, that air earned Mexico the reputation of “the

most dangerous city in the world for children” — a reputation most dangerous city in the world for children” — a reputation Mexico has been working hard to improve.Mexico has been working hard to improve.

But despite more than a decade of stringent pollution control But despite more than a decade of stringent pollution control measures, a haze hangs over the city most days, obscuring the measures, a haze hangs over the city most days, obscuring the surrounding snow-capped mountains and endangering the surrounding snow-capped mountains and endangering the health of its inhabitants.health of its inhabitants.

It’s geographic location doesn’t help nor did industrial growth or It’s geographic location doesn’t help nor did industrial growth or rapid population growth which has added many more vehicles rapid population growth which has added many more vehicles on to the streets.on to the streets.

The Mexican Government actually found that a cultural change The Mexican Government actually found that a cultural change was needed to modify the society-city-environment relation.was needed to modify the society-city-environment relation.

40% of Mexicans could not identify any of the government 40% of Mexicans could not identify any of the government programs to improve air quality and did not consider them to be programs to improve air quality and did not consider them to be important. important.

A lot of Mexicans in Mexico City blame the factories and refuse A lot of Mexicans in Mexico City blame the factories and refuse to admit responsibility themselves.to admit responsibility themselves.

PlenaryPlenary

So what were the strategies that So what were the strategies that Mexico City has employed to shape Mexico City has employed to shape themselves up?themselves up?

Do you think they will work?Do you think they will work? What would you do differently?What would you do differently?