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This is above the historical average of 2.5% a year. What this shows is that because the different governments are encouraging the development of the region; many countries are being to see increased economic growth. As the continued investments in these areas, have allowed for the opportunity to increase imports to a number of markets around the world including: China and the United States. ("Latin America at Risk")
However, the short to medium term gains that are experienced because of an increase in economic prosperity have helped to fuel the changes that are taking place to a number of geographic features located on the continent. This is because there is a balance between these geographic features and the temperature of the Earth. If human activity becomes so extreme in the area of these geographic features, then it could cause many to disappear or change form. This can have ripple effects on the economies of numerous countries throughout the region, which are using the new found natural resource for farming and mining. If the weather patterns change, then this could mean that many of the industries that are currently thriving could face a severe contraction, as the geography has changed enough that such activities are no longer economically viable. A good example of this can be seen with the disappearance of numerous glaciers on the continent. Where, in countries such as Venezuela, Columbia and Ecuador, their glaciers are expected to disappear within ten years. While the large glaciers in Argentina and the Andes Mountains of Peru are facing a similar situation. Where, both have been consistently declining throughout the 20th century. Then, during the last 20 years the rates of decline have increased. ("The Impact of Global Warming in South America") This is problematic, because many of these different glaciers are used to supply water to farm various regions. The disappearance of them means that there is the possibility that the continent can begin to see more frequent droughts, as the changing weather patterns will have an effect on farming. This is will have a ripple effect on the geographic features throughout the region (such as glaciers), where the activities of humans are helping to perpetuate the situation.
Clearly, contemporary economic issues are playing a major role in reshaping the geography of South America. This is because globalization has provided many countries the chance to be able to expand into other areas that have large reserves of natural resources or farm land. At which point, the different governments encourage the poor and speculators to develop this land, as way of achieving economic mobility. The problem is that during the process of reaching the various natural resources, many developers will often set fire to large sections of brush and forest. This is problematic because these large fires will release dangerous greenhouse gases into the air. Then, once the land is being utilized, it could release even more greenhouse gases into the air such as: mining for various natural resources releases methane gas into the atmosphere. Over the course of time, this will provide the region with a short to medium term economic boost, as there are higher growth rates in comparison with the historical average. The trade off is that the process of building their economies; means that they are destroying the ecosystem and the geographic features of numerous regions. This could work similar to a cancer, where the increasing temperatures will cause a shift in weather patterns. Once this occurs, it could mean that the region will face even greater challenges, as economic issues have changed the geography of the continent so much, that this economic model is no longer sustainable.
Bibliography
"Globalization." Invest Words. 2010. Web 12 May 2010