Air pollution, particularly PM2.5 particulate matter, is a significant issue in Santiago, the capital of Chile. Santiago’s pollution problem is exacerbated by its unique geographic location nestled against the Andes mountain range in the central valley of Chile. This paper uses network models that were developed primarily to analyze systemic risk in the financial system to identify those locations in the city that are most important for explaining PM2.5 levels.

COVID-19 is currently having major short run effects with possible serious long run implications for the environment and the management of natural resources in Latin America. We discuss the possible effects of the pandemic on air pollution, deforestation and other relevant environmental dimensions across the region. With contributions from environmental economists from eight countries, we give an overview of the initial and expected environmental effects of this health crisis.