Recent assessments rank Porto Alegre among cities in Rio Grande do Sul with a “very high” capability to manage hydrological disasters

27/05/2024

Pelotas on May 26: city impacted by floods in Brazil’s southern state is among those with “very high” capacity to manage hydrological disasters — Foto: Eduardo Rodrigues/Agência Pixel Press/Folhapress

Nearly a month after being devastated by floods, cities like Porto Alegre, Rio Grande, and Pelotas are classified as having a “very high” capacity to manage hydrological disasters, including floods, flash floods, and inundations, according to “Adapta Brasil.” This mapping, orchestrated by the Ministry of Science and Technology, assesses the readiness of regions to confront the impacts of climate change.

Prompted by the calamity in Rio Grande do Sul, the federal government is expediting the development of a robust strategy for both mitigation and adaptation to extreme weather events. This initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of the Environment, is expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks, potentially introducing a new dedicated agency, although its ministerial affiliation remains undecided.

The findings from Adapta Brasil underscore the critical need for this policy. Even areas deemed highly capable of adaptation have experienced prolonged flooding, signaling dire consequences for regions classified with lower adaptive capacities. The North and Northeast of Brazil, along with the states of Mato Grosso, Goiás, and Minas Gerais, are labeled as having “low” adaptive capacity. Particularly concerning are Maranhão, Piauí, and Paraíba, each marked with a “very low” index.

In contrast, the Southern states, along with São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul, hold a “medium” adaptive index, while Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo enjoy a “high” rating. Brasília stands out with a “very high” level, with the study considering factors such as the capacity for municipal public investment and income, governance, disaster risk management, and municipal capabilities in citizenship and sectoral policies.

The municipal data from Adapta Brasil shows “very high” adaptive capacity indices in Porto Alegre and the principal cities surrounding Lagoa dos Patos, with the capital of Rio Grande do Sul achieving the highest score on the adaptive capacity index, which ranges from 0 to 1.

Suely Araújo, former president of the Brazilian Environmental Protection Agency (IBAMA) and a specialist in public policies at the Climate Observatory, emphasizes the challenges and expenses involved in preparing Brazilian municipalities for adverse climatic events. She highlights the financial constraints faced by two-thirds of Brazilian municipalities, each with populations under 20,000, which struggle to fund the necessary infrastructure to respond to disasters.

“Adaptation involves significant funding,” Ms. Araújo explains. “While some measures like restoring native vegetation or enhancing urban drainage are straightforward, implementing them becomes challenging without financial resources.” Ms. Araújo advocates for “a robust federal role in supporting states and municipalities through non-repayable funds,” pointing out that “municipalities that frequently experience flooding each year lack the capacity to incur more debt.”

Additionally, despite the severe impacts observed in Rio Grande do Sul, Guilherme Syrkis, the executive director of the Brazil Climate Center, indicates that the situation could have been even more catastrophic in Santa Catarina. He notes that due to its geography and urban layout, Santa Catarina’s cities are far more vulnerable to such disasters than those in Rio Grande do Sul.

According to Mr. Syrkis, developing a comprehensive adaptation plan requires analyzing local vulnerabilities and identifying key risks. Engaging civil society, businesses, and local populations is crucial to tailor strategies effectively to each area’s needs.

In addition to flooding, Mr. Syrkis emphasizes the increasing threat posed by heatwaves, which need greater attention due to their severe but often overlooked impact. “Heatwaves are particularly deadly, causing silent deaths, such as heat-induced heart attacks,” he notes. Mr. Syrkis suggests that regions like the Northeast and Rio de Janeiro should implement early warning systems to alert the public about impending heat waves.

While acknowledging the constraints imposed by budgetary concerns, Mr. Syrkis points out that some adaptive measures can be both cost-effective and impactful. He references a government initiative from India, where houses are painted white to reduce heat absorption—a strategy that could be beneficial if applied in economically disadvantaged communities across Brazil. “Implementing such a simple measure could significantly mitigate the effects of high temperatures in Brazil’s poorer areas,” he explains.

Recently, Environment Minister Marina Silva confirmed plans to establish a dedicated authority to oversee adaptation policies, though she did not specify if this would be part of the previously announced but unrealized federal climate authority.

Suely Araújo advocates for this new structure to be integrated within the Ministry of the Environment and stresses the necessity for a dedicated budget, not only for this new body but also for other ministries involved in specific adaptation projects.

“Adaptation involves assessing risks and vulnerabilities and implementing measures such as reinforcing dykes and embracing the ‘sponge cities’ concept, which absorbs and reuses rainwater,” explains Mr. Syrkis. “It also means leveraging nature-based solutions and rethinking infrastructure design.” He emphasizes the need for public officials to adopt a climate resilience perspective in their planning. “Construction secretaries, for instance, must no longer design bridges at heights susceptible to flooding.”

Por Murillo Camarotto — Brasília

Source: Valor International