brazil
Newsletter
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Wildfires devastate Brazil’s Pantanal, threatening rare species
Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands are being ravaged by record wildfires, endangering countless animals, including vulnerable species like jaguars and giant anteaters.
In short:
- The Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland, is burning due to severe droughts and climate change.
- The fires have killed or injured many animals, including rare jaguars and hyacinth macaws.
- Scientists fear the damage to the ecosystem may be irreversible if the fires continue.
Key quote:
“We’re watching the biodiversity of the Pantanal disappear into ash. It’s being burned to a crisp.”
— Gustavo Figueirôa, biologist, SOS Pantanal
Why this matters:
The Pantanal is one of the planet’s most biodiverse regions. Its destruction could lead to the extinction of several species and the loss of an irreplaceable natural environment.
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Credit: DanielAcosta2d/Pixabay
Brazil revisits law restricting Indigenous land claims amid rising violence
Indigenous communities in Brazil face increasing violence as the Supreme Court reviews a controversial law limiting land rights based on occupation before 1988.
In short:
- The Brazilian Supreme Court is reconsidering a law that restricts Indigenous land claims to territories occupied before 1988.
- Critics argue the law is unjust, as many Indigenous groups were forcibly displaced before that date and now face conflicts with farmers and developers.
- Violence against Indigenous communities has surged, with over 200 murders reported in the past year alone.
Key quote:
“We need to guarantee that Indigenous lands are demarcated and protected in order to combat climate change.”
— Kleber Karipuna, executive director, Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil.
Why this matters:
The law threatens Indigenous land rights, fueling violence and undermining efforts to protect critical biodiversity and combat climate change.
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The world’s largest wetland, Pantanal, threaten by waterway plans
A controversial waterway project in Brazil could devastate the Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland, endangering its rich biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities.
In short:
- The Hidrovia Paraguay-Paraná project plans to dredge and develop the Paraguay River to facilitate grain export, risking severe environmental damage.
- Scientists warn the project could destroy habitats, decrease fish populations and increase greenhouse gas emissions.
- Local communities fear the waterway will end their traditional livelihoods of fishing and farming.
Key quote:
“It seems a high price to pay: destroying the Pantanal, one of the world’s unique systems, to reduce the price of grain. It is a war – a war which risks extinction.”
— Carolina Joana da Silva, professor at Mato Grosso State University.
Why this matters:
The Pantanal is a critical refuge for endangered species and a significant carbon sink. Its destruction could have global environmental consequences.
Related: Amazon rainforest at risk of significant transformation by mid-century, study indicates
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Brazil proposes global wealth tax to combat climate change
Brazil has suggested a 2% wealth tax on billionaires worldwide to raise $250 billion annually for addressing climate change, though it faces skepticism from some countries.
In short:
- Brazil's proposed tax would apply to individuals with assets exceeding $1 billion and aims to fund climate change initiatives.
- While the plan has gained moral support from G20 ministers, implementation faces challenges, including resistance from countries like the U.S.
- The proposal highlights disparities in global wealth distribution, with the top 1% holding vastly more wealth than the bottom half of the population.
Key quote:
“Our feeling is that, morally, nobody’s against. But the level of support from some countries is bigger than others.”
— Ana Toni, Brazil's national secretary for climate change
Why this matters:
The proposed wealth tax underscores the need for innovative solutions to fund climate change initiatives and address economic inequality. Wealth distribution plays a crucial role in how effectively countries can implement policies to tackle global warming.
Related EHN coverage:
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Newsletter
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Brazil weighs oil wealth against environmental commitments
Brazil's Amapá state, rich in forests but plagued by poverty, considers tapping offshore oil reserves for economic growth despite environmental risks.
In short:
- Amapá, an isolated state with high poverty rates, explores offshore oil to boost its economy.
- Environmentalists warn of risks to Amazonian ecosystems and Indigenous lands.
- President Lula faces balancing oil development with Brazil's environmental promises.
Key quote:
“We’re not going to throw away any opportunity for this country to grow.”
— President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Why this matters:
Amapá's government faces a dilemma familiar to many resource-rich regions: how to harness natural wealth without sacrificing environmental integrity. Proponents argue that oil extraction could fund much-needed infrastructure and social programs, lifting many out of poverty. However, environmentalists warn of the significant risks. Offshore drilling can be catastrophic for marine ecosystems, potentially harming fisheries that local communities depend on.
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Newsletter
Credit: Rafael Urdaneta Rojas/Pixabay
Rain-induced flooding devastates Black communities in southern Brazil
Severe flooding in Porto Alegre, Brazil, disproportionately impacted the city's Black residents, exacerbating existing inequalities and causing widespread displacement and damage.
In short:
- Torrential rains flooded Marcelo Moreira Ferreira’s home in Porto Alegre, forcing him and his family to evacuate.
- Research shows the hardest-hit areas have a high proportion of Afro-Brazilian residents, highlighting systemic inequality.
- Brazil’s federal government has announced aid, but many affected, including Ferreira, find it insufficient.
Key quote:
“I’m afraid the water will rise again, but we came back because it’s the only place we have.”
— Marcelo Moreira Ferreira, resident
Why this matters:
Flooding in Porto Alegre reveals deep-seated racial and socio-economic disparities, with Black communities facing the harshest consequences. Rising global temperatures and altered precipitation patterns are contributing to more extreme and unpredictable weather, posing a growing threat to vulnerable populations.
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Brazil's semi-arid farmers hope for government intervention to combat desertification
Small farmers in Brazil's semi-arid region struggle with land degradation due to climate change and past government neglect, but the new administration aims to prioritize land restoration and seek international funding.
Giovanna Carneiro and Inácio França report for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Farmers in northeastern Brazil face severe desertification from climate change, poor land management, and government neglect.
- The new administration under President Lula plans to revive efforts to combat desertification and seek international funding.
- Faulty irrigation systems have exacerbated soil salinization, further threatening agricultural viability.
Key quote:
“Desertification is, in fact, a consequence of climate change; they are linked.”
— Alexandre Pires, head of the Desertification Combat Department of the Ministry of the Environment
Why this matters:
Desertification threatens the livelihoods of millions in Brazil, exacerbating poverty and food insecurity. There is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The new administration has pledged to prioritize land restoration, recognizing the urgent need to reverse the damage done. This commitment marks a significant shift in policy, aiming to address the long-standing environmental issues that have plagued the region.
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