How the Climate Crisis is Affecting Brazil
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Brazil is large country, home to the Amazon Rainforest and immense biodiversity. The South American nation has a population of over 212 million people, making it the seventh most populous country in the world.
It is also already experiencing significant and multifaceted impacts from the climate crisis.
These effects are projected to intensify in the coming decades, posing substantial threats to the nation’s environment, economy, and society.
Rising Temperatures and Heat Waves
Brazil is witnessing a clear warming trend, with average temperatures increasing across the country. Without action, temperatures could increase by as much as 2.2°C by 2050.
Several regions are experiencing warming greater than the global average. The number of days with heat waves has dramatically increased. For instance, between 2011 and 2020, Brazil experienced around 52 days of heat waves annually, a significant rise from around 20 days between 1961 and 1990.
Earlier this year, the heat became so extreme in southern Brazil that schools were forced to close their doors.
“This is going to be the new normal,” education policy researcher Daniel Cara told the Associated Press. “Climate issues have always put pressure on the school calendar. Now, the new factor is that heat waves and the lack of air conditioning will make class cancellations a regular occurrence.”
This increase in extreme heat has several consequences.
Prolonged and intense heat lead to increased heatstroke, dehydration, and cardiovascular problems, particularly among vulnerable populations like the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. Urban areas, with their heat island effect, are especially susceptible.
High temperatures can also damage crops, reduce yields, and affect livestock productivity. Certain crops, like coffee, are particularly sensitive to temperature changes.
Increased evaporation due to higher temperatures can worsen drought conditions, impacting water availability for agriculture, industry, and human consumption.
Changes in Precipitation Patterns
Climate change is disrupting Brazil's traditional rainfall patterns, leading to both increased drought in some regions and more intense rainfall and flooding in others.
The Northeast region is projected to experience significant reductions in rainfall, potentially leading to desertification in parts of the semi-arid Caatinga.
The Amazon Rainforest is also facing increased drought frequency and intensity, which, combined with deforestation, raises the risk of large-scale forest failure and wildfires, and disrupts regional and even global rainfall patterns.
Conversely, the Southern regions are experiencing more frequent and intense rainfall events, leading to increased risks of flooding and landslides, particularly in urban areas.
The devastating floods in Rio Grande do Sul in late April and early May of 2024, which displaced hundreds of thousands and caused billions in economic losses, serve as a stark example of this trend. Studies suggest that climate change and the El Niño phenomenon both contributed to the severity of this event.
More Frequent and Intense Extreme Weather Events
Beyond gradual changes in temperature and precipitation, Brazil is experiencing a rise in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
Prolonged droughts and higher temperatures increase the risk and severity of wildfires, particularly in the Amazon and Pantanal regions. These fires not only destroy vast areas of biodiversity but also release significant amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and severely impact air quality, leading to increased potential for respiratory problems for communities across the region.
In 2024 alone, 44.2 million acres, roughly the size of California, in Brazil were burned.
On the other hand, more intense rainfall events are also happening, contributing to an increased risk of flash floods and landslides in certain areas, especially in vulnerable urban settlements. These events cause significant damage to infrastructure, displace populations, and result in fatalities.
Socioeconomic Consequences
The environmental impacts of the climate crisis translate into significant socioeconomic consequences for Brazil.
Extreme weather events, agricultural losses, and disruptions to infrastructure are already causing billions of dollars in economic damage annually. One study estimated that each 0.1°C increase in global average temperature has led to R$ 5.6 billion in damages in Brazil. Without urgent action, Brazil could lose a significant percentage of its GDP by the end of the century – potentially as much as 7% of the nation's GDP by 2100.
Changes in agricultural productivity and water availability threaten food and water security, particularly for vulnerable populations. Droughts in key agricultural regions can lead to crop failures and price increases.
“Extreme weather events such as droughts, flash floods, and riverine floods in cities are causing losses averaging R$13 billion (US$2.6 billion, or 0.1 percent of 2022 GDP) per year,” according to the World Bank.
As mentioned earlier, heat waves and extreme weather events have direct health consequences. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can also expand the range of vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria.
As many as 800,000 to 3 million could be pushed into poverty by climate shocks by 2030 alone.
What You Can Do
Climate change is already having profound and far-reaching effects across Brazil, impacting its environment, economy, and society. These impacts are projected to worsen in the future, posing significant risks to the country's sustainable development.
Urgent and ambitious action on both mitigation and adaptation is crucial to safeguard Brazil’s rich natural heritage and ensure a resilient future for its people.
But there’s still time to turn it all around.
And that’s why Climate Reality is coming to Rio de Janeiro this August as part of the REALITY Tour.
Ready to make a difference? Join the Climate Reality Leadership Corps and learn how you can work for real climate solutions in Brazil. Start by joining us at the upcoming REALITY Tour training in Rio de Janeiro on 15-17 of August.
