Environmental and industrial pollution is a growing problem in Latin America today. Latin America is becoming a predominantly urban society and with this, pollution issues have become progressively higher on the political agenda. But Latin American countries continue to prioritize the region's economic development instead of implementing their obligations to protect the environment for future generations. The government needs to start introducing regulations that help protect the environment and the people who live in Latin America. They must help the populations of Latin America so that they can drink unpolluted water and breathe clean air again. Latin America should also take care of its forests and not destroy them and everything in them. In this essay I will talk about how these environmental problems are harming people, animals, plants and water in these Latin American countries. Air pollution is a serious and ongoing problem. From Mexico to Argentina, pollutants in the air have reached dangerous levels, with implications for both public health and the planet's climate change (Maxwell). There are many solutions that can be used; There are international standards that can be adopted in Latin America, clean transportation and energy generation technologies. If those who govern Latin American countries work to rid their countries of dirty fossil fuels, the skies will clear and their people will breathe freely. For example, “the Chilean Environmental Superintendence has taken significant steps against large polluters, this year there are forty-nine sanctioning proceedings underway, of which only one was acquitted. The companies in question are required to invest time and money in fo... middle of paper... Latin American countries need to start instituting regulations and monitoring these industries to ensure they are keeping up with these regulations. There are many ways to start making a change in the environment and if Latin American countries started doing that there would be a big difference in the environment. Works Cited Barlow, Maude. The struggle for water in Latin America. July 2004. May 3, 2014. Herrera, Carolina. Latin America Green News: Chile makes polluters pay, Costa Rican partnerships for responsible fishing and Mexico prepares for geothermal energy. November 2013. May 1, 2014. Hudson, John. Problem of deforestation in Latin America. October 2013. May 2, 2014.Maxwell, Amanda. Air quality in Latin America: High levels of pollution require strong government action. April 2013. May 3, 2014."Water problems in Latin America." World Water Council. and. 2013.