Three South American countries, Argentina, Chile and Brazil, have been selected in order to study the impact of the document “The United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development”. In these countries, whose people react energetically against any attempt to break the environmental balance, the synergic power of education is recognized. Therefore, it can be observed that the content sustainable development has been incorporated in the new educational schemes since 1990s in all their levels. The analysis in the formal, non formal and informal education of these countries shows us that they have the environmental issue well contemplated. But, it is necessary to emphasize the interrelations of three essential components: environment, society and economy in order to develop solidary values for improving a sustainable present and future existence. In relation to the “The United Nations Decade”, it is noticed that although different measures have been adopted, conjoint work by the region's countries from a Latin American perspective is required.

This study utilized a semiparametric panel model to estimate environmental Kuznets curves (EKC) for carbon dioxide (CO2) in 15 Latin American countries, using hitherto unused data on forestry acreage in each country. Results showed an N-shaped curve for the region; however, the shape of the curve is sensitive to the removal of some groups of countries. Specification tests support a semiparametric panel model over a parametric quadratic specification.

We review the present situation of the formal education in astronomy in the Latin American countries. We have concluded that we can divide the countries into three categories according with the different development of the astronomical careers in astronomy.