Brazil’s Climate Change Catastrophe | Opinion

The recent devastating floods in Brazil’s south have brought to light a complex web of factors that have contributed to the disaster. Almost every city of Rio Grande do Sul state has been hit by floods, endangering the lives of over 10 million people. At least 150 people died, and the number of those who were forced to flee their homes is over 600,000—the biggest number of people affected by a climate catastrophe in Brazil’s history—while tons will have to re-locate as entire cities were engulfed by the rising rivers.

This disaster serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need for immediate climate action and heightened environmental responsibility in Brazil—and across the world. The interplay of climate change, the passing of detrimental legislation, and Brazil’s lack of overall preparedness for extreme weather events underscores the urgency for comprehensive and sustainable solutions.

While the state was going through its greatest catastrophe, the Chamber of Deputies voted on a bill that illustrated the lack of concern politicians have for climate change. The parliamentarians greenlighted the planting of eucalyptus and pine trees to manufacture cellulose, no longer considered a polluting and environmentally degrading activity. They also plan on voting for a bill that will significantly reduce protected areas for the Amazon forest.

The same Congress has on its agenda the discussion of at least 25 bills and three proposed constitutional amendments that promote environmental setbacks, and as a consequence, will promote more catastrophes. The Agricultural Parliamentary Front, the powerful ruralists from the center-west of Brazil, have passed similar proposals over the years. They should be held directly responsible for the recent floods.

The climate disaster in the south of Brazil caused by excessive rains and the El Niño phenomenon, like other extreme climate events around the world, is not the work of chance, but directly linked to human action—either intentionally through legislation and policies that go against the environment, or through sheer ignorance.

The intensification of climate change has significantly contributed to the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as the unprecedented floods in Rio Grande do Sul, but also the floods in Afghanistan, Kenya, Congo and other parts of the world.

Meanwhile, in Brazil, plans for reconstruction don’t take into consideration the need for preparedness for future disasters, as the world keeps polluting and increasingly reaching a tipping point. Dismissing warning signs from the scientific community and the planet itself, while laughing at activists such as Greta Thunberg and calling climate activists “catastrophists,” has become a sport-like pastime for some.

As global temperatures rise and weather patterns become more erratic, regions like southern Brazil will experience more frequent and intense rainfall. According to a 2021 study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the frequency and severity of extreme precipitation will increase in many parts of the world, leading to more devastation.

Human activities, such as deforestation and urbanization, also play a significant role in exacerbating the impact of these floods. Even someone who doesn’t think climate change is such a threat can understand the basic cause-and-effect of how flooding occurs: The clearing of forests for agricultural purposes and urban expansion has disrupted natural drainage systems and reduced the land’s ability to absorb excess water. As a result, when heavy rains occur, the water has nowhere to go, leading to widespread flooding, destruction, and death.

The continuous passing of legislation that prioritizes economic gains over environmental protection has weakened any possible resilience to such calamities. The lack of commitment from many governments toward environmental conservation and climate action is evident, and insufficient investment in disaster preparedness and mitigation measures in Brazil, and all over the world, will further compound climate disasters in the future.

At each yearly U.N. climate change conference, new promises are made, goals are set, but they are either insufficient or simply ignored—or both. And catastrophes don’t just happen in poor, so-called developing countries, but also in rich countries—such as the historic floods in Belgium in 2021. It is the poor countries that face the worst climate change consequences and have the most difficulty in rebuilding and getting back on their feet, who receive the most incentives (or pressure) to change their development models, which means remaining underdeveloped while rich countries pose as environment defenders.

To spearhead effective reconstruction and recovery efforts, immediate action must be taken. Strengthening environmental regulations, investing in sustainable infrastructure, and engaging with local communities to develop adaptive strategies are paramount. Civil society and impacted communities play a pivotal role in advocating for environmental protection and ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes.

As Brazil’s southern region begins the process of rebuilding and recovery, it is crucial that the government and local authorities prioritize sustainable and resilient solutions. This includes investing in green infrastructure, such as urban forests and permeable surfaces, to improve water absorption and reduce the risk of future floods. Additionally, strengthening building codes and enforcing strict regulations on land use and development can help mitigate the impact of extreme weather events.

International cooperation and support are crucial for countries like Brazil to effectively respond to the challenges posed by climate change. This includes financial assistance for disaster relief and recovery efforts, as well as technical support for the development and implementation of climate adaptation strategies. Additionally, global collaboration in areas such as renewable energy development and deforestation reduction can help alleviate the root causes of climate change and build a more sustainable future for all.

Raphael Tsavkko Garcia is a Brazilian journalist and editor based in Belgium. He holds a PhD in human rights from the University of Deusto (Spain).

The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.