Summary of O amanhã é hoje
The video "O amanhã é hoje" presents a powerful testimony on the severe impacts of climate change in Brazil, focusing on droughts, storms, fires, and coastal erosion, alongside the human and environmental toll. Key points and lifestyle/environmental insights include:
- Drought and Agriculture:
- The 2012 drought was the worst experienced by many farmers, causing livestock starvation and crop failures (guava, mango, vegetables).
- Long droughts have historically led to child deaths, but social welfare programs like Bolsa Família and crop insurance have helped prevent this recently.
- Brazilian agriculture faces massive economic losses due to climate change, potentially $7.4 billion in 2020 and double by 2070.
- Resilience examples include mandacaru cacti with thorns adapted to drought.
- Farmers emphasize the need for land, water, and technical assistance to improve production.
- Floods and Storm Tides:
- The 2011 Nova Friburgo disaster caused over 900 deaths and massive destruction due to landslides triggered by unexpected heavy rains.
- Coastal communities like Baleia Cove have lost land rapidly due to storm tides and erosion, with strips of land disappearing in months.
- Storm tides have become stronger and more frequent, causing property damage, loss of vehicles, and community displacement.
- Fear and panic during storms highlight the urgent need for better preparedness.
- Fires and Indigenous Response:
- Wildfires have increased dramatically, with a record number in 2017, many in the Amazon.
- Indigenous communities, such as the Krikati, have formed volunteer fire brigades, often under-equipped and unpaid, to protect their lands.
- Fires destroy crops, hunting, and fishing areas, threatening cultural and environmental survival.
- Climate Change Effects on Coastal and Aquaculture:
- Oyster farming in Santa Catarina is affected by the absence of traditional south winds, leading to warmer waters and production losses.
- Changes in weather patterns disrupt traditional agricultural and fishing practices.
- Environmental and Institutional Insights:
- Deforestation rates dropped between 2004 and 2012 but have since increased again, with illegal deforestation responsible for much of the damage.
- 20% of the Amazon is already deforested; if it reaches 40%, the ecosystem may collapse.
- Brazil remains a key global rainforest reserve, critical for carbon balance and hydrological cycles, but current trends threaten this.
- Climate change causes environmental disturbance, economic loss, cultural disruption, and institutional challenges in supporting affected communities.
- Urgency is stressed as even halting emissions now would still result in a 1.5°C temperature rise, causing public calamities in coastal areas.
- Emotional and Social Impact:
- Many testimonies express deep emotional pain, fear, and loss, including the destruction of homes, businesses, and community fabric.
- Stories of resilience include rebuilding efforts and the determination to protect future generations and preserve cultural heritage.
Notable Locations and Speakers:
- São José do Egito (drought-affected farming community)
- Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro (2011 landslide disaster)
- Baleia Cove (coastal erosion and storm tide impact)
- Santa Catarina coast (oyster farming affected by climate change)
- Indigenous Krikati community (fire brigade and forest protection efforts)
- References to Brazilian institutions like Embrapa and social programs such as Bolsa Família.
The video strongly conveys that climate change is an immediate reality in Brazil, affecting diverse regions and communities, and calls for urgent action, recognition, and support for those on the frontlines.
Notable Quotes
— 04:28 — « It is immoral to keep debating whether or not climate change exists. »
— 04:42 — « After that, lives are lost, and the cultural fabric of communities is ripped, cultural roots are ripped out. »
— 07:42 — « And if it does change, nature will take revenge on us. That’s a way of seeing things. »
— 12:52 — « I feared for my son during the storm tide. I was afraid a tsunami might be coming or maybe something worse. »
— 20:42 — « We fought the fire with flip-flops and cleats. »
Category
Lifestyle