The Effects of The Effects of Urbanization on Urbanization on

Developing Developing CountriesCountries

Elyse BoelensElyse Boelens

Leonardo Caion-DemaestriLeonardo Caion-Demaestri

Katherine CarltonKatherine Carlton

http://www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/newsletter/images/04_12_cartoon.gif

How does urbanization affect pollution, deforestation and biodiversity loss on natural ecosystems in developing countries – such as Brazil and China?

MethodsMethods

Looked at the effects of Looked at the effects of urbanization on different urbanization on different stages of developing stages of developing countries (Brazil and countries (Brazil and China).China).

Arc GIS maps, Scientific Arc GIS maps, Scientific Journals, Group Journals, Group discussions, and Personal discussions, and Personal Experience were used to Experience were used to display the impacts of display the impacts of urbanization on:urbanization on:– PollutionPollution– DeforestationDeforestation– Biodiversity LossBiodiversity Loss

http://www.rockware.com/images/catalog/arcgis/arcviewlogo.jpg

What are we modeling?What are we modeling?

Cumulative Carbon Dioxide emissions.Cumulative Carbon Dioxide emissions. Cumulative Sulfur Dioxide emissions. Cumulative Sulfur Dioxide emissions. Protected Land.Protected Land. Percent of Deforestation and Total Forest Area.Percent of Deforestation and Total Forest Area. Number of Threatened Species – Birds and Number of Threatened Species – Birds and

Mammals. Mammals. Gross Domestic Income and Percentage Use Gross Domestic Income and Percentage Use

by Sector.by Sector. Gross Domestic Income per Capita.Gross Domestic Income per Capita. Urban Population and its Percentage Growth Urban Population and its Percentage Growth

by 2030.by 2030.

Arc GIS GraphsArc GIS Graphs

Arc GIS GraphsArc GIS GraphsPercent Land Protected

Percent Deforestation Rate

Arc GIS GraphsArc GIS Graphs

Arc GIS GraphsArc GIS Graphs

Arc GIS GraphsArc GIS Graphs

Arc GIS GraphsArc GIS Graphs

Current Problems : Current Problems : PollutionPollution

http://www.id21.org/insights/insights53/images/Insights53cartoon.jpg

China Pollution IssuesChina Pollution Issues

Heavy reliance on coalHeavy reliance on coal– 74% of China’s energy 74% of China’s energy

consumptionconsumption Sulfur dioxide pollutionSulfur dioxide pollution

– 2/3 of all Asia’s emmissions2/3 of all Asia’s emmissions– Acid Rain in 40% of countryAcid Rain in 40% of country

More nitrogen dioxideMore nitrogen dioxide– Increase in amount of carsIncrease in amount of cars

Polluted drinking waterPolluted drinking water– Human and animal wasteHuman and animal waste

http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_rec.php?id=1036

Brazil Pollution IssuesBrazil Pollution Issues

Loss of RainforestLoss of Rainforest– Releases sequestered Releases sequestered

carbon dioxidecarbon dioxide Transportation Transportation

PollutionPollution– Sao Paulo increaseSao Paulo increase

Petroleum Petroleum ConsumptionConsumption– 51% of energy 51% of energy

consumptionconsumption HydroelectricityHydroelectricity

– Flooded ecosystemsFlooded ecosystems– Displaced Indigenous Displaced Indigenous

peoplepeoplehttp://www.treknature.com/gallery/South_America/Brazil/photo92591.htm

China vs. Brazil : PollutionChina vs. Brazil : Pollution

IndustryIndustry– Reliance on coalReliance on coal

TransportationTransportation– Increase in cars, Increase in cars,

nitrogen dioxidenitrogen dioxide Acid RainAcid Rain

– Sulfur DioxideSulfur Dioxide Water PollutionWater Pollution

– Unfit for drinkingUnfit for drinking

TransportationTransportation– Dramatic Increase Dramatic Increase

in cars, nitrogen in cars, nitrogen dioxidedioxide

DeforestationDeforestation Petroleum Petroleum

ConsumptionConsumption HydroelectricityHydroelectricity

– FloodingFlooding– DisplacementDisplacement

Current Problems : Current Problems : DeforestationDeforestation

http://www.ces.purdue.edu/ces/Vanderburgh/horticulture/weird/deforestation.jpg

China Deforestation IssuesChina Deforestation Issues

One of the most One of the most environmentally environmentally unsound nations in unsound nations in the world.the world.

Major deforestation Major deforestation due to production due to production of commercial of commercial lumber.lumber.

Slash-and-burn Slash-and-burn agriculture.agriculture.

Lack of Lack of government action.government action.

http://www.unep.org/wed/2007/english/Photo_Gallery/WED_2007/Zoom/UNEP051-2.jpg

Brazil Deforestation IssuesBrazil Deforestation Issues

Nearly 750,000 kmNearly 750,000 km22 of forest have been of forest have been destroyed.destroyed.

11//33 of deforestation of deforestation can be linked to can be linked to “shifted” cultivators.“shifted” cultivators.

Deforestation Deforestation attributed to land attributed to land clearing for clearing for commercial and commercial and speculative speculative interests. interests.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Img/47121/0021338.jpg

China vs. Brazil : China vs. Brazil : DeforestationDeforestation

125,000ha cut 125,000ha cut down for railroads, down for railroads, highways, and high highways, and high voltage lines.voltage lines.

47,000ha burned 47,000ha burned down in forest down in forest fires.fires.

Lack of effective Lack of effective family planning family planning program.program.

Large cleared Large cleared areas used for areas used for cattle feeding.cattle feeding.

Deforestation for Deforestation for investment investment purposes.purposes.

Use of tax Use of tax incentives that incentives that favor pastureland favor pastureland over natural forest.over natural forest.

Current Problems : Current Problems : Biodiversity LossBiodiversity Loss

http://assets.panda.org/img/cartoon_homelessbirds_460_38039.jpg

China Biodiversity Loss China Biodiversity Loss IssuesIssues

Habitat Loss affects 86% Habitat Loss affects 86% of threatened mammals of threatened mammals and 86% of threatened and 86% of threatened birds.birds.

Panda’s only source of Panda’s only source of food – bamboo - is only food – bamboo - is only growing within 500 and growing within 500 and 3100 meters.3100 meters.

Area of great biodiversity Area of great biodiversity are the areas where are the areas where people are taking over.people are taking over.

Has over 10% of world’s Has over 10% of world’s plant and terrestrial plant and terrestrial vertebrate species, butvertebrate species, but

11//55 are now endangered. are now endangered.http://www.thewe.cc/thewei/&/&/aljazerra/n/3738F8AED7B84A5ABA8031B9C7563842.jpe

Brazil Biodiversity Loss Brazil Biodiversity Loss IssuesIssues

Study shows that Study shows that only 18% of only 18% of vegetation survive vegetation survive when 12 km away when 12 km away from a road or city from a road or city and only 5.9% and only 5.9% survive when within survive when within 1 km of road or city.1 km of road or city.

Alien species are Alien species are greatly affecting the greatly affecting the native species.native species.

http://www.informaction.org/images/Salinity1.jpg

China vs. Brazil : China vs. Brazil : Biodiversity LossBiodiversity Loss

Half of China is Half of China is uninhabited so the uninhabited so the population lives within population lives within 7% of world’s arable 7% of world’s arable land.land.

Loss of habitat is Loss of habitat is greatly affected by: greatly affected by: – TimberTimber– AgricultureAgriculture– Fuel woodFuel wood– InfrastructureInfrastructure– Hydropower Hydropower

developmentdevelopment

Brazil is home to Brazil is home to precious Amazon precious Amazon basin. basin. – Invasive alien Invasive alien

species take overspecies take over In central Brazil In central Brazil

there is a dry forest there is a dry forest home to many bird home to many bird species.species.– Taken over for coal Taken over for coal

production production

Societal Implications : Societal Implications : PollutionPollution

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/directory/p/pollution.asp

Societal Implications of Societal Implications of China’s PollutionChina’s Pollution

40% of China grapples with issues of acid rain.40% of China grapples with issues of acid rain. 700 million Chinese drink contaminated water.700 million Chinese drink contaminated water.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/5290236.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4374383.stm

Societal Implications of Societal Implications of Brazil’s PollutionBrazil’s Pollution

Growth in the amount of nitrogen dioxideGrowth in the amount of nitrogen dioxide– World Health Organization believes it to be the cause of World Health Organization believes it to be the cause of

the 30% increase in the amount of deaths from the 30% increase in the amount of deaths from respiratory illness in children under the age of fiverespiratory illness in children under the age of five

Increase in amount of hydroelectric plantsIncrease in amount of hydroelectric plants– 1980’s: Created the Brazilian Movement of Dam Affected 1980’s: Created the Brazilian Movement of Dam Affected

People to demand fair compensation and active People to demand fair compensation and active involvement in the decision making processinvolvement in the decision making process

http://www.power-technology.com/projects/ita/ http://redmanglar.org/inlineImages/cubatao.jpg

Societal Implications : Societal Implications : DeforestationDeforestation

http://www.seafriends.org.nz/issues/cons/cartoon1.gif

Societal Implications of Societal Implications of China’s DeforestationChina’s Deforestation

Tree clearing as an outgrowth of poverty. Tree clearing as an outgrowth of poverty. Farmers gradually intruded nearby Farmers gradually intruded nearby forests to gather fuel wood and “shake off forests to gather fuel wood and “shake off poverty.”poverty.”

Focus on profit-making while Focus on profit-making while overstepping villager’s rights and overstepping villager’s rights and interests.interests.

Bare hillsides will worsen natural Bare hillsides will worsen natural disasters and engender a new form of disasters and engender a new form of poverty. poverty.

Societal Implications of Societal Implications of Brazil’s DeforestationBrazil’s Deforestation

Risk of quality of life.Risk of quality of life. Gamble with stability of climate and local Gamble with stability of climate and local

weather (Lack of humidity and rainfall).weather (Lack of humidity and rainfall). Threaten the existence of species.Threaten the existence of species. Undermine valuable services provided by Undermine valuable services provided by

biological diversity.biological diversity. Increase erosion, floods, drought, water Increase erosion, floods, drought, water

pollution.pollution. Lack of fisheries protection and pollination.Lack of fisheries protection and pollination.

Societal Implications: Societal Implications: BiodiversityBiodiversity

http://www.ces.purdue.edu/ces/Vanderburgh/horticulture/weird/mantid%20cartoon.bmp

Societal Implications of Societal Implications of China’s Biodiversity LossChina’s Biodiversity Loss

Cities within China will grow to completely Cities within China will grow to completely take over the biodiversity. take over the biodiversity.

Complete reliance on international Complete reliance on international institutions for money to protect biodiversity.institutions for money to protect biodiversity.

Affect region’s lifestyle.Affect region’s lifestyle. The cost of the effects together with the The cost of the effects together with the

related problems that can arise (like disease, related problems that can arise (like disease, and other illness, or rebuilding and so on) is and other illness, or rebuilding and so on) is much more costly than the maintenance and much more costly than the maintenance and sustainable development practices that sustainable development practices that could be used instead.could be used instead.

Societal Implications of Societal Implications of Brazil’s Biodiversity LossBrazil’s Biodiversity Loss

With urbanization, small villages With urbanization, small villages around the Amazon basin are going to around the Amazon basin are going to suffer due to lack of food sources and suffer due to lack of food sources and increase of endangered species.increase of endangered species.

External reliance of different External reliance of different organizations to aid with loss of organizations to aid with loss of particular species.particular species.

Exports of soybeans and coffee will Exports of soybeans and coffee will exponentially decrease if trends exponentially decrease if trends continue.continue.

Possible Solutions: Possible Solutions: PollutionPollution

http://www.newstarget.com/021607.html

Possible Solution for Possible Solution for China’s PollutionChina’s Pollution

Branches in place to monitor Branches in place to monitor pollution.pollution.– State Environmental State Environmental

Protection CommissionProtection Commission– National People’s National People’s

CongressCongress– Environment and Environment and

Resources Protection Resources Protection CommissionCommission

– Environmental Protection Environmental Protection AgencyAgency

350 Cities conduct routine 350 Cities conduct routine air quality monitoring.air quality monitoring.

Decline in Sulfur Dioxide.Decline in Sulfur Dioxide.– Closure of small, Closure of small,

inefficient plantsinefficient plants– Controlling use of coalControlling use of coal

Need to better monitor Need to better monitor water quality and create water quality and create standards.standards.

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/eddakath/life_in_china/1159879740/tpod.html

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/08/30/energycoal/

Possible Solutions for Possible Solutions for Brazil’s PollutionBrazil’s Pollution

Address transportation Address transportation issues.issues.– Mass transportationMass transportation– Alternative fuelsAlternative fuels– 1999, restricted days on 1999, restricted days on

which people drovewhich people drove Renewable energy use.Renewable energy use.

– 31% of energy comes 31% of energy comes from hydroelectric plantsfrom hydroelectric plants

– 13% from renewable 13% from renewable sourcessources

– Largest producer and Largest producer and consumer of ethanol consumer of ethanol from sugar canefrom sugar cane

http://www.tropicalisland.de/travel_brazil.html

http://www.tropicalisland.de/travel_brazil.html

Possible Solutions: Possible Solutions: DeforestationDeforestation

http://www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/images/reg15n2_cartoon.gif

Possible Solutions for Possible Solutions for China’s DeforestationChina’s Deforestation

Law enforcement of only selective logging.Law enforcement of only selective logging. Increase large-scale protection forests and Increase large-scale protection forests and

nature reserves. Particularly of non-active nature reserves. Particularly of non-active management land (15% of China’s management land (15% of China’s territory).territory).

Redirect economy away from virgin forests.Redirect economy away from virgin forests. Emphasize the development of institutions Emphasize the development of institutions

to significantly reduce property right to significantly reduce property right protection costs for forest management.protection costs for forest management.

Increase taxes on timber production.Increase taxes on timber production.

Possible Solutions for Possible Solutions for Brazil’s DeforestationBrazil’s Deforestation

Teach others about the importance of the Teach others about the importance of the environment.environment.

Restore damaged ecosystems by planting trees Restore damaged ecosystems by planting trees on land where forests have been cut down.on land where forests have been cut down.

Encourage people to live in a sustainable Encourage people to live in a sustainable manner.manner.

Increase national parks to protect rainforests Increase national parks to protect rainforests and wildlife.and wildlife.

Support companies that operate in ways that Support companies that operate in ways that minimize damage to the environment. minimize damage to the environment.

Develop new conservation policy built on Develop new conservation policy built on sustainable development.sustainable development.

Possible Solutions: Possible Solutions: Biodiversity LossBiodiversity Loss

http://www.hcn.org/allimages/1995/nov13/graphics/951113.003.gif

Possible Solutions for Possible Solutions for China’s Biodiversity LossChina’s Biodiversity Loss

Currently Global Environment Fund Currently Global Environment Fund and World Bank support creation of and World Bank support creation of 1,551 national reserves.1,551 national reserves.

Plans are a start but not enough Plans are a start but not enough compared to the high growth rate.compared to the high growth rate.

Slowing rate of biodiversity loss helps Slowing rate of biodiversity loss helps animals adjust and adapt to the animals adjust and adapt to the earth’s changes because of the earth’s changes because of the urbanization.urbanization.

Possible Solutions for Possible Solutions for Brazil’s Biodiversity LossBrazil’s Biodiversity Loss

Continue with current plans to make Continue with current plans to make new national parks and expand new national parks and expand national forests.national forests.

Regulate size and materials used for Regulate size and materials used for infrastructure.infrastructure.

Increase awareness of current Increase awareness of current problems and future consequences it problems and future consequences it will have on society.will have on society.

ConclusionConclusion

Our ArcGIS graphs, along with scientific Our ArcGIS graphs, along with scientific data show that there is an increase in the data show that there is an increase in the negative environmental impacts (pollution, negative environmental impacts (pollution, deforestation rates, and biodiversity deforestation rates, and biodiversity losses) related to urbanization growth.losses) related to urbanization growth.

Although the reasons for such growth Although the reasons for such growth differed, the results were similar.differed, the results were similar.

If current conditions continue, these If current conditions continue, these countries’ hopes of becoming developed countries’ hopes of becoming developed will not be obtainable due to their will not be obtainable due to their repercussions on their natural ecosystems. repercussions on their natural ecosystems.

Take Home MessageTake Home Message

There needs to be a There needs to be a clear shift in today’s clear shift in today’s mindset and mindset and economy towards a economy towards a focus on the long-focus on the long-term effects each term effects each decision has on the decision has on the environment we environment we belong.belong.

Create realistic goals Create realistic goals that society can put that society can put forth and start being forth and start being the change we want the change we want to see in the world.to see in the world.

http://www.statehousereport.com/images/cartoons/04.0820.cartoon_large.gif

Works Cited PageWorks Cited Page Butler, Rhett. “Deforestation in the Amazon.” Butler, Rhett. “Deforestation in the Amazon.” Tropical RainforestsTropical Rainforests. 1994-2005. . 1994-2005. http://www.mongabay.com/brazil.html  http://www.mongabay.com/brazil.html   ““China Says Deforestation Still a Major Environmental Problem.” China Says Deforestation Still a Major Environmental Problem.” Terradaily NewsTerradaily News. 18 Jan. . 18 Jan.

2005.http://www.terradaily.com/2005/050118102656.tgm9j244.html  2005.http://www.terradaily.com/2005/050118102656.tgm9j244.html   CIA World Factbook, Brazil. 8 March 2007. https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/br.htmlCIA World Factbook, Brazil. 8 March 2007. https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/br.html CIA World Factbook, China. 8 March 2007.CIA World Factbook, China. 8 March 2007. https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.html https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.html Dasgupta, Susmita and Robert E.B. Lucas and David Wheeler. Dasgupta, Susmita and Robert E.B. Lucas and David Wheeler. Plant size, industrial airPlant size, industrial air pollution and local incomes: evidence from Mexico and Brazilpollution and local incomes: evidence from Mexico and Brazil. Environment and . Environment and Development Economics. Cambridge University Press, 2002. http://www.journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?Development Economics. Cambridge University Press, 2002. http://www.journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?

fromPage=online&aid=101619# fromPage=online&aid=101619# He, Kebin and Hong Huo and Quiang Zhang. He, Kebin and Hong Huo and Quiang Zhang. URBAN AIR POLLUTION IN CHINA: CurrentURBAN AIR POLLUTION IN CHINA: Current Status, Characteristics, and Progress.Status, Characteristics, and Progress. Annual Review of Energy and the Environment. Annual Review of Energy and the Environment. Vol. 27: 397-431. Nov. 2002.Vol. 27: 397-431. Nov. 2002. http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/full/10.1146/annurev.energy.27.122001.083421 http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/full/10.1146/annurev.energy.27.122001.083421   Levine, John. Levine, John. Brazil: Profit and Poverty Fuel Deforestation.Brazil: Profit and Poverty Fuel Deforestation. World Socialist Web Site. 2006. World Socialist Web Site. 2006. http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jan2005/amaz-j15/sjtml http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jan2005/amaz-j15/sjtml   Li, Ling. “Rare Dolphin’s Extinction a Red Flag for Biodiversity Loss.” Worldwatch Institute.Li, Ling. “Rare Dolphin’s Extinction a Red Flag for Biodiversity Loss.” Worldwatch Institute. 28. Dec. 2006. 28. Dec. 2006. http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4817 http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4817  “ “Urban Air Pollution.” Urban Air Pollution.” WorldbankWorldbank. Page 69, Chapter 10. June 2004.. Page 69, Chapter 10. June 2004. http://www.worldbank.org/depweb/english/beyond/beyondco/beg_10.pdfhttp://www.worldbank.org/depweb/english/beyond/beyondco/beg_10.pdf Yiming, Li and David S. Wilcove. “Threats to Vertebrate Species in China and the United Yiming, Li and David S. Wilcove. “Threats to Vertebrate Species in China and the United States.” States.” Bioscience.Bioscience. Article: pp 147-153. Feb. 2005. www.bioone.org Article: pp 147-153. Feb. 2005. www.bioone.org Zhang, Yaoqi. Zhang, Yaoqi. Deforestation and Forest Transition: Theory and Evidence in China. Deforestation and Forest Transition: Theory and Evidence in China. World World Forests, Society and Environment. Forests, Society and Environment. Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands. Pp. 41-65.Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands. Pp. 41-65. http://www.sfws.auburn.edu/YaoqiZhang/deforestation%20and%20and %20forest%20transition%20in%20China.pdfhttp://www.sfws.auburn.edu/YaoqiZhang/deforestation%20and%20and %20forest%20transition%20in%20China.pdf