Brazil’s Freshwater Crisis: A Warning Call Amidst Climate Challenges

A recent report reveals that Brazil, despite having 12% of the world’s freshwater reserves, is losing natural surface water due to climate change and land conversion. From 2023 to 2024, 400,000 hectares were lost, with a total loss of 2.4 million hectares since 1985. Officials stress the need for improved water management strategies as Brazil prepares for the COP30 climate conference.

Brazil, abundant in freshwater with 12 percent of the world’s reserves significantly located in the Amazon, is experiencing a concerning reduction in natural surface water. A report by the MapBiomas monitoring platform disclosed that from 2023 to 2024, Brazil lost 400,000 hectares of aquatic surface, equating to an area approximating Rhode Island. Since 1985, cumulative losses amount to about 2.4 million hectares, driven by drought, urban development, and excessive aquifer extraction.

Juliano Schirmbeck, the coordinator of the MapBiomas Agua report, remarked on the detrimental impact of land use dynamics and extreme climate events induced by global warming, stating, “The dynamics of land occupation and use, along with extreme climate events caused by global warming, are making Brazil drier.” He emphasized the urgency for adaptive water management strategies and public policies to counteract this trend.

As Brazil prepares to host the COP30 UN climate conference in November in Belem, the importance of its water resources is underscored. The Amazon region, which harbors almost two-thirds of the nation’s surface water and significantly contributes to climate regulation by absorbing carbon dioxide, saw a drastic surface water reduction of 4.5 million hectares compared to 2022.

Moreover, the Pantanal wetlands have suffered immensely, with water surface measurements in 2024 being 61 percent below the historical average since 1985, exacerbated by last year’s drought and wildfires. Although the creation of artificial water bodies such as reservoirs and dams increased by 54 percent since 1985, they have not managed to replace the loss of vital natural freshwater sources.

The report by MapBiomas highlights the alarming trend of diminishing freshwater resources in Brazil, emphasizing the need for urgent action in water management and public policy. With the impending COP30 climate conference, the emphasis on preserving Brazil’s critical water sources, particularly in the Amazon and Pantanal regions, becomes increasingly important. Addressing these environmental challenges will be key to ensuring sustainable water management and climate resilience.

Original Source: www.bssnews.net