Globally, climate change has been a trending issue. It is a major hazard to almost all development outcomes calling for climate actions in the development agendas of countries. It entails a long-term change in weather and temperature patterns. These changes may be natural, and some may be a result of human activities. As traced from the 1800s, human activities are the main drivers or contributors to climate change basically due to burning fossil fuels like gas, coal, and oil, which emit nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Other activities such as manufacturing, power generation, deforestation, use of nitrogenous fertilizers, oil drilling, transport and vehicles, volcanic activities, consumerism, industrialization, and other activities are also contributors to climate change. Most human activities contribute to climate change and end up having an extent impact on a country. In Brazil, research shows that the climate is becoming hotter and drier as a result of greenhouse effects. Excess emission of methane and carbon dioxide results in the Amazon rainforest experiencing hotter and drier variations. The climate changes in Brazil are subject it various threats as the situation becomes more serious. However, the government and private sectors have activities in place to manage the situation, and are some promising opportunities concerning climate change. As in many countries, the climate change issue is a major concern in Brazil, and many aspects surround the matter as the country pursues to control its adverse impacts.
The extent of Brazil in Cases of Climate Change
In South America, Brazil is the largest country. It covers a land area of 8.5 million kilometer square with a population of 211 million (The World Bank Group). 86% of Brazil’s population lives in urban areas and is projected to increase in the future up to 92% (The World Bank Group). Brazil’s economy is piloted by industry, agriculture, and services sectors. With these three major activities in the country, the country is subjected to climate change as they are among the major contributors. Involvement in industrialization, services, and agriculture exposes the country to activities that are causes of climate change through greenhouse gas emissions. Out of these activities, the climate of Brazil is becoming hotter and drier. There are many greenhouse effects of excess methane and carbon dioxide in Brazil’s climate, making the Amazon rainforest to become hotter and drier, leading to more wildfires in the country. Brazil is exposed to climate change effects which confer a weighty threat to its economic growth and social development.
There are diverse environments and significant landmass, and this makes Brazil have numerous causes of pollution. The country relies significantly on ethanol as a source of fuel, and this separates its contaminants and pollutants from those found in other countries. However, there are other similar causes of climate change that the country shares with other countries globally. The most pollutant is industrial activities, and the transport or energy sector is accelerated by urbanization. The two activities emit aldehydes, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrocarbons, and other particular matters. Majorly, the greenhouse effect of surplus methane and carbon dioxide makes most of the regions hotter and drier.
In Brazil, oil products used as a transport fuel are the largest solitary emitter within the energy sector. In the greenhouse gas emission, a 2020 report provided figures for Brazil’s emissions for 2016. Agriculture contributed 33.2% (Viola &Matias) of the greenhouse gas emission, forestry, land use change, and land use contributed 27.1%, the energy sector had 28.9%, industrial waste 4.5%, and industrial processes and product use contributed 6.4% (Viola &Matias). In 2019, Brazil emitted 2.17 billion total carbon dioxide tons equivalent (tCO2e) (Viola &Matias). Deforestation contributed around 968 million tCO2e, which was evaluated as 44% of the total. 598.7 million tCO2e was from agriculture which was 28% of the total emission (Viola &Matias). The energy sector emitted 413.6 million tCO2e, which was 19% of the total emission. Industry amounted to 99 million tCO2e, which was 5%, and waste had 4%, which was equivalent to 96 million tCO2e (Viola &Matias). Therefore, greenhouse effects have a weighty impact on climate change.
Comparison of Brazil’s Climate Change with Others
Carbon Emission Total
According to statistics, the world’s wealthy nations have the highest carbon emissions. Accumulated carbon dioxide emissions tend to be the major driver of climate change, and Brazil is among those countries that highly pollute the climate through CO2 emissions though a bit lower than most wealthy countries like China, Germany, Russia, and others. Brazil emits around 467 million tons of CO2, which is a high emission but such countries like Indonesia, South Korea, Iran, Japan, Germany, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and others emit more than 600 million tons of CO2. Brazil was ranked position 14 with a 0.41Gigaton (GT) CO2 emission (Union of Concerned Scientists). The emission can only be translated to 1% of the total emission. Though it is not the highest, it is among the top CO2 emitters globally. The top country with the highest CO2 emission had 9697 MT contributing to 28.6% (Clark) of the global emission.
All Greenhouse Gas Emissions Total
When all other greenhouse gas emissions are included in that of CO2, figures show a significant change, with Brazil becoming among the top countries with the highest emission. With the available data for 2005, Brazil is among the top ten emitters of greenhouse gases and is ranked position three, just below China and U.S. It emits 2856 million tons (MT) (Clark) which is around 6.5% of the total greenhouse gas emitted.
The trend of Brazil’s Emission
In 2014, Brazil recorded its highest CO2 emission of 557.90 MT since 1901 (Ritchie and Roser). Since then, it has been experiencing a reducing trend, and by 2020, it was around 467.38 MT. Meanwhile, all along, the country has been facing a varying trend by general overview; it has been a rising trend. Tracing back the trend, by 1901, Brazil had an annual emission of 2.10 MT (Ritchie and Roser). By 1980 (Ritchie and Roser), the emission had grown to 185.89 MT. By 2000, emission was 340.18 MT. Twenty years down the line, the annual emission of Brazil is estimated as 467.38MT. The annual global share percentage of Brazil by 1901 was 0.10% (Ritchie and Roser). By 1980 (Ritchie and Roser), it had risen to 0.95%, and currently, it is around 1.34% (Ritchie and Roser). So the trend has been increasing. According to IPAM Amazonia, Brazil’s greenhouse gas emissions increased by 9.5% from its initial position during the Covid 19 pandemic period. 2020 Brazil’s net emissions showed an increase of 14% from the previous year by emitting 1.52 Gt CO2e from 1.34 Gt CO2e (IPAM Amazonia). Tracing on the historical trend, Brazil’s emission has been facing an increasing trend on the emissions.
Per Capita Use
It would be somehow misleading to compare nations due to varying populations and sizes. However, having a per person emission is crucial, and this can help compare countries using this criterion where evaluation is done on average emission done per individual. When this approach is used, new countries top the list, and still, Brazil is not among the top countries, not even among the top 15 countries. CO2 emissions per capita in 2020, Brazil had 2.11 tons per capita which was an improvement from the previous year, where it had 2.25 (Clark). This was an increase from the 1971 figure by 1.12 tons of CO2 per capita (Clark). It was a 1.43% average annual rate in 2020. The top nation, according to this approach, was Qatar, with 39.9 tons.
Carbon Footprint of Brazil
Brazil is said to have a weird carbon footprint as most of its emissions do not come from energy use. The record shows that Brazil’s emissions have not been as environmentalists could expect, as they expected a rise in greenhouse gas emissions as they continue with industrialization. Brazil has maintained its emission levels even when industrialization continues to dominate. Brazil’s emissions come from forestry and land-use change and not from energy use. The country has managed to minimize deforestation by 70% and eliminate 3.2 billion tons of CO2 from the atmosphere. This is so because forests utilize carbon when growing and release it through burning. Therefore, Brazil has reduced individual activities that lead to greenhouse gas emissions, having reduced deforestation in the country. Most of the emissions come from other activities, and the carbon footprint in Brazil is rated 2.8 (Clark). Referring to the CO2 emission per capita, it is significant that individual contribution is low, and most emissions are based on other general activities in the country.
Footprint vs. Bio Capacity
Brazil has a bio capacity region estimated at around 5.8 hectares per person. Therefore, its residents live with the support of their natural resources. Brazil is among the richest countries based on natural resources, and it represents 14% of the total global biocapacity (Santos et al.). However, the ability to utilize the resources per capita in the country has always been declining. The country is among the largest lender to the world’s biocapacity yet is still not capable of generating what Brazilians demand in terms of improving climate change. Footprints entail constant demand from the people, and Brazil has a dire need to balance this requirement. The carbon footprint of Brazil is rated 2.8 (Santos et al.) global hectares per person. On the other hand, biocapacity entails continuous supply to the needs, and both are correctly described in global hectares. Since Brazil is among the world’s ecological creditors, its population need for resources is less than the country’s production of the available resources within its boundaries, so biocapacity exceeds footprints.
Threats to Brazil Regarding Climate Change
Climate change may affect various crucial sectors in Brazil example, the ecosystem, tourism, agriculture, the energy sector, economic impacts, and health if the right measures are not taken (Nobre). Economically, climate change may lead to constant shortages and production costs. With time, as a result, the country will experience reduced food supply, industrial production decline, reduced trade, affected public health, low production, low standards of living, and other serious economic problems. Climate change will force the government to shift most of its resources towards curbing the issue, and this will lead to economic problems such as unemployment, inequality, disruption of major projects beneficial to the general public, and low productivity. Manufacturing and industrialization will be disadvantaged, and the country may suffer a deficit in exports and imports as it cannot produce sufficiently or import adequately. With the economic challenge in the country, the population will end up having low standards of living, and even the country’s currency may deteriorate. Climate change knowledge portal
In the agriculture area, Brazil may face multiple and significant impacts. Global warming and high temperatures may result in millions of hectares being lost. Moreover, since global warming produces some physical and chemical changes in seas and oceans, it will end up interfering with aquatic life, and fishing will be affected. The ecological balance will be dealt with harshly by the situation as valuable species may be lost in the process. There are high chance that climate change can affect food production in Brazil, and this may lead to significant losses in the near future. High temperatures and excess rainfall are not favorable for agriculture, and if they persist, agriculture in Brazil is subjected to jeopardy. Brazil produces cassava, corn, rice, coffee, soy, beans, sunflower, and other foods which are exposed to low production as a result of climate changes.
Climate change interferes with ecological balance since it first destroys the interdependence among plants and animals. Plant communities are affected by adverse climatic changes, and this leads to the starvation of those animals that rely on them. There is reduced biodiversity. Animals migrate from one place to another in search of food, and this leads to ecological imbalance. Some plants and animal species die as a result of climate changes.
The energy crisis will be evidenced in Brazil since a good percentage of the country’s electricity is obtained from hydroelectric plants. With the changing climate, there is an expectation that there will be a drop in hydrographic basin flow, and this will highly affect the hydroelectric plants (Nobre). When the water sources dry or have insufficient water, it will become a challenge to sustain the electricity requirement for the country. When the electricity supply reduces, it will accelerate people to pursue other sources of energy and may turn to the use of charcoals, coals, natural gas, and other methods that may result in the exploitation of the country’s natural resources. These sources are sources of greenhouse gases, and this will lead to more problems enhancing climate change.
With climate change, Brazil is exposed to health issues and threats both for animals and human beings. Health threats may be new or unknown, but the baseline is that the country will suffer health problems in terms of sicknesses, flood threats, landslides, etc. High rainfall leads to flooding, and floods are a threat to the health of people as they also lead to death. Landslides also expose people to dangers, as when they occur, people, animals, and properties are at the risk of facing some dangers. High temperatures may lead to heat or temperature-related sicknesses and to advanced levels of morbidity and mortality. Cold or extreme cold has a similar effect as temperatures and may also lead to sicknesses and mortality. The emergence of new pests causing health problems will be evidenced. Acidic rainfall may lead to skin diseases and other health problems. Endemic infectious diseases, e.g., dengue, malaria, and leptospirosis, may also occur as a result of climate change.
Activities of tourism are exposed to some threats as tourists cannot visit the country when there is such climate change that can expose their life to risk. During hotter and dry seasons, fires break up, and this leads to the destruction of tourist sites where animals inhabit or make the animals migrate to other places. Tourism is unfavorable during rainy seasons and excess hot temperatures. Therefore, climate change will make the country unfavorable for tourism.
Opportunities Regarding Climate Change
Since climate change is on the rise and risks are the ones that are attached to the changes, Brazil may consider utilizing some opportunities amidst these climate changes. The country has an opportunity to become creative and innovative in establishing agricultural products that survive in those varying climate changes. By identifying this product, every climate change will be countered with those agricultural practices and ensure that even though there are problems in one area, still the country can reap back from the other end. The country should practice resilient and sustainable agriculture that survives both extremes of climate change. This would include storage of water during the rainy season and use during dry seasons.
Brazil should also seize climate change as a business opportunity as most people overate this crisis. The country should study climate change and establish productive activities that should be happening during a certain season. The rainy season should be the rescuer of droughts seasons. Global warming increases heat, and during this moment, energy is saved. The country should cut its energy cost during such climate change and channel some support to weakling areas of the country like food supply.
Other than Emissions, what other Activities does Brazil do to Damage the Environment.
Overpopulation, deforestation, and improper disposal of waste are among major human activities that affect the environment. Overpopulation damage the environment as it leads to environmental degradation (The World Bank Group). Since humans need space for industries and farming, they may end up in clear-cutting which end up damaging the ecosystem. Engagement in deforestation leads to increased CO2, soil erosions due to bare land, and rugged lands. Overpopulation leads people to engage in crimes, and violence that may lead to deaths and other health risking issues. Deforestation entail cutting down of trees and it is a human activity that damage environment as water catchments are destroyed, land are exposed to soil erosion, and rugged land (The World Bank Group). Improper waste disposal is a rampart practice in Brazil and wastes are disposed anywhere, leaving the country ugly and with sites for disease causing pests. Some wastes are directed towards oceans, rivers, and lakes, and this affects those animals living in waters. Waste pollute the environment and should be disposed properly.
National Targets for Carbon Emissions
Brazil target to reduce emission and has strategies in place for the move. By 2025 (Climate Action Tracker), Brazil target to reduce emission by 37% below its 2005 emission levels. The country has a 2030 target of reducing emissions by 43% from the 2005 emission level (Climate Action Tracker). Under the new target, Brazil, will operate with the new target of around 27% above where they were before the 2016 Paris Agreement (Climate Action Tracker). The government target to reduce deforestation and restore forests so as to enhance forest management in a deforestation free country. The core focus is to reduce carbon emission and not to operate on a carbon neutral or negative.
Government Activities to Mitigate or Decrease Climate Changes to Obtain the Target
The government is focused in implementing actions to lower greenhouse gas emissions in line with the 2030 plan of 43% of the 2005 emission level (Kossoy). The government focus in raising the renewable sources (solar and wind power) shares by 45% in the country’s energy mix. The country also plans to increase the sustainable bioenergy shares (biomass and biofuel) to 18%, empower non-fossil usage, enhance renewable energy sources, and other reliable practices (Barbi et al.). The country focus in increasing the energy effectiveness in the electricity division by 10% and enhancing reliable technology and energy effectiveness in the transportation and industrial sector. Restoring millions hectares of land for reforestation, and establishing and restoring pastureland. It also has in place plans for maintaining deforestation illegality. The government holds on the above emission mitigation activities and measures plans with target to reduce emission by 43% by 2030.
Non-Governmental Agents/Companies/People/Organizations Efforts in Reducing Emissions
Various Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Brazil show interest in engaging in sustainable preservation of forests, land, water, and other environmental aspects and have channeled their efforts and attention toward supporting the government due to the continuous deforestation happening in the Amazon. They have concerns for the ozone layer, energy and water issues, and the general well-being of the environment. The NGOs have partnership aimed at incorporating ecosystem activities into business strategies (World Resource Institute). Their aim is to show how ecosystem and biodiversity services can improve corporate performance in the country. They focus in developing strategies that match business performances to the reliable ecosystems management. The NGOs want to help the Brazilian government to manage business perils and opportunities emerging from their reliance and effects on ecosystem services.
The NGO partnership will stir new business ideas to ecosystem degradation significantly through various methods and guidelines. The organization pursues to unveil profitable approaches as they still restore and protect the ecosystem. One of the NGOs approach is to use Corporate Ecosystem Services Review (ESR) (World Resource Institute), which help in establishing strategies to competently succeed in a society that work against natural limits. It helps to achieve profitable strategies as it protect the ecosystem.
Success of the Government and NGOs Activities.
The ESR approach was employed by a company known as Mondi found in Europe in its paper plantations. The ESR showed the strategies to be implemented so as to improve freshwater access and improve regional watershed health, reduce operational cost, and boost its local community’s relationships and the approach worked significantly. Moreover, more than 300 companies have implemented the ESR approach globally since 2008 with reliable results. Therefore, the activity has been succeeding and this shows a probability if applied in the partnership of helping the government.
Most of the government’s activities are yet to be implemented but minimizing deforestation is working in Amazon and other regions. Renewable resource are underway, and some areas are using these renewable resources in the country and showing a positive trend.
Conclusion
Climate change is a global challenge facing almost all countries. In Brazil, emissions rate are high and in some rating like all greenhouse gases emission, Brazil is ranked top ten. In others like carbon dioxide, Brazil is within the top 15 countries. Therefore, climate change is high in Brazil when compared with other countries and most pollutant is industrial activities and transport or energy sector accelerated by urbanization. As compared to other countries, Brazil’s emissions are relatively high. Furthermore, besides emissions Brazil is faced by other human activities that affect the environment, which include deforestation, overpopulation, and poor methods of waste disposal. Therefore Brazil is subjected to various threats that can affect such sectors as ecosystem, tourism, agriculture, energy sector, economic impacts, and health. Brazilian government has various plans in place to mitigate climate change and various NGOs partner with the government to curb the changes. Most of the activities in place show some success though a lot have to be done.
Work Cited
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