Brazil Faces Alarming Loss of Surface Water Due to Climate Change and Land Conversion
Brazil is losing natural surface water at an alarming rate due to climate change and land conversion, with a loss of 400,000 hectares from 2022 to 2023. Noteworthy impacts include significant reductions in Amazon and Pantanal water surfaces. The need for better adaptive water management strategies is critical, especially ahead of the COP30 UN climate conference in November.
Brazil, which harbors 12 percent of the world’s freshwater reserves, particularly in the Amazon, has been experiencing significant losses of surface water due to climate change and the conversion of forests into agricultural land. A recent report indicates that the nation lost approximately 400,000 hectares of aquatic surface between 2022 and 2023, an area comparable to the size of Rhode Island.
Over the past 16 years, 2022 stands out as the only year exhibiting an increase in surface water. Since 1985, Brazil has seen a total reduction of about 2.4 million hectares of rivers and lakes, resulting from drought conditions, urban development, and excessive groundwater extraction.
Juliano Schirmbeck, the coordinator of the MapBiomas Agua report, emphasized that “the dynamics of land occupation and use, along with extreme climate events caused by global warming, are making Brazil drier.” He further pointed out the urgent need for adaptive water management strategies and policies to address these alarming trends.
With Brazil set to host the COP30 UN climate conference in November in Belém, capital of the Amazonian state of Pará, the issue of water loss becomes increasingly pertinent. The Amazon region, which comprises nearly two-thirds of Brazil’s surface water, plays a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide, essential for climate moderation.
Furthermore, the report highlights that the surface water area in the Amazon declined by 4.5 million hectares compared to 2022, an expanse equivalent to Denmark. The Pantanal wetlands, which have suffered extensively from drought and wildfires, reported a 61 percent reduction in water surface for 2024 compared to historical averages since 1985. Despite a 54 percent increase in human-made water bodies since 1985, this development has not alleviated the loss of natural freshwater resources.
In summary, Brazil is facing significant challenges regarding water resources as the impacts of climate change and land conversion diminish its surface water. Dominantly influenced by the dynamics in the Amazon and other biomes such as the Pantanal, effective policies and management strategies are urgently required. As Brazil prepares to host the COP30 UN climate conference, addressing these pressing issues becomes crucial for sustainable water management and climate resilience.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
