IndexEnvironmental problems and their causesResponse to environmental problemsMarginalized populationsEnergy and environmental benefits/burdensEnvironmental problems and their causesDeforestation of the Amazon forest has caused environmental degradation in Latin America , as people have been clearing tropical forests for many years for timber and agricultural land. Amazon deforestation did not simply begin with Europeans, but much earlier, with the Mayan, Inca, and Aztec civilizations (274-275). This was originally the result of using local resources, but, as Latin America's forests were found to host much of the world's biodiversity, we now know that the Amazon helps remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, on a scale global. Therefore, the more that is taken away, the less greenhouse gases are removed. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayThe large-scale rice farming industry in Southeast Asia, which can be grown year-round, has resulted in increased humidity in the air around large fields, affecting other crops and patterns microclimates of the surrounding area (387). Because it is one of the few major crops that can grow in stagnant water and goes well with fish- and vegetable-based diets, as well as the fact that it can be used year-round, it has been grown as a major crop in the area by many years. The effect this has on the climate is different from that of the Amazon. While this situation creates a snowball effect, which can affect global climate patterns, halting rice production will not be the only factor. This is a result of using local resources rather than global resource demand. I think, in the case of the Amazon, most people would consider this a problem. As people have become more aware of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to growing awareness of global warming, this is a topic that resonates with people. Unfortunately, since rice production in Southeast Asia is not the main factor influencing climate change, only large farmers feel affected, when this is not necessarily the case. Responding to environmental problems Payments for Environmental Services (PES) is a program that came into existence to protect the forests of Latin America, such as the Amazon. This program pays residents to help protect their local environment (279). It is a government program aimed at contributing to the conservation of the forest, its resources and its ability to eliminate greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Similarly, in Southeast Asia, deforestation has been a problem. Fortunately, their government has set aside forest reserves and banned logging in many places. There have also been many social movements and protests to raise public awareness of these issues (396). In Southeast Asia the people are helping the government and the government seems to be taking action on the issue. It helps that it has also been raised to international attention by environmentalists and human rights groups. It seems that more populated areas require greater social commitment to the issues at hand. Unfortunately, the Amazon is not as densely populated as areas of Southeast Asia, so so far it is not possible to conserve them in the same ways. Marginalized Populations Historically, indigenous populations in Latin America have been marginalized due to the arrival of Europeans. Peoples such as the Maya had domesticated many plants that were the staple food of the region, a little inside the Amazon rainforest. Likewise,.