The phenomenon of ‘child’ and climate change They joined hands to carry out provocations in the Brazilian Amazon historic drought in principle seriously affecting half a million people. The flow of the Solimões, Branco, Jutaí and Negro rivers (the latter in Manaus) has decreased so much due to the lack of rain that this dryness frightens those living along the river. According to the Amazon National Research Institute (Inpa), the level of the majestic negro is: One of the worst in 120 years of measurements. The Madeira River lost so much power that operation of the South American giant’s Santo Antonio hydroelectric power plant was suspended. “The drought usually lasts until mid-October. It is now expected to last until the beginning of November. The situation will probably get worse“, recognized climate scientist and researcher Renato Senna at Inpa.
dry season On Amazon it lasts between July and December. During this period, river channels decrease by several meters and beaches look like small islands. These yellow spots got bigger because this season extraordinary in many respects in the eyes of experts. The numbers are very significant: 24 of Amazonas’ 62 municipalities are in a state of emergency, He was held responsible by the Brazilian Civil Defense. agriculture And trade It is seriously affected through its branches. The industrial center of Manaus is already feeling the consequences of these changes.
Minister of National Integration Waldez Goes said: “A week ago we expected 100,000 people to participate. Our prediction and the figure that 500,000 people will be affected are confirmed.”
Government response
Brazilian vice president Geraldo Alckminvisited the region and announced that financial aid of approximately 25 million euros would be provided, as well as scanning works that will facilitate navigation. Payment subsidies Those aimed at poor communities will be paid compensation to farmers Municipalities that have suffered losses due to drought will work to provide similar aid to the riverside population that lives by fishing. “The most urgent thing is water, food and fuel”. The state will also try to guarantee the connection of thermal power plants affected by drought. “There will be no shortage of resources. Send whoever needs it, it will be taken care of,” Alckmin said.
“Climate change is out of control“, he assured the Minister of Environment on his behalf, Marina Silva. And Amazon is feeling these disturbances. Drought in the spring and high temperatures approaching 40 degrees caused massive deaths in fish and fish. 120 pink freshwater dolphins, A sacred animal that the indigenous people living near Lake Tefé consider as protectors of the water world. Images of vultures eating carrion were broadcast on television. There are nearly 900 pink dolphins left in the region. Drought also triggered fires The forest has the least rainy season always in September and October.
Brazil bids farewell to winter as temperatures reach warmer temperatures in parts of the north and northeast 45 degrees. Weeks ago, at the other end of the country, Rio Grande do Sul was hit by unprecedented rains that killed 46 people and left scores missing, also associated with the ‘Niño’ phenomenon. Hurricane affected more than 330,000 people in 100 municipalities in dream state. Losses were approximately $270 million. Experts use the same expressions that Minister Silva used when talking about what is happening in Amazonas.
These events have already hit other countries such as Greece and Libya with devastating force. Dakir Larara Machado da Silva, professor of climatology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, stated categorically: “Human life is seriously affected”“. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva began speaking about the climate emergency with unusual seriousness. His final intervention took place at the United Nations General Assembly.
lack of prevention
“The destruction and deaths caused by rains in Rio Grande do Sul reveal the challenge Brazil faces with extreme weather events becoming more frequent every day,” the Rio de Janeiro newspaper said. Or Globe in a recent editorial. “The challenge facing the authorities is twofold. First, new approaches must be developed to provide assistance in the most agile and effective way. Reconstruction funds, assistance to the homeless, solidarity chains… everything. This is important, but it cannot be done suddenly. The second challenge, and the most important one, “is prevention .” But unfortunately, We often act when “the damage has already been done”. The country “must realize that the climate scenario has changed and old responses are no longer sufficient to confront extreme events.”