Original Author: Letícia KleinPublisher: MongabayPublication Date: February 11, 2025
Brazil has experienced a dramatic surge in climate-related disasters, with a 460% increase since the 1990s, as revealed by a comprehensive study analyzing data from 1991 to 2023. The study establishes a direct correlation between rising global temperatures and the frequency of extreme weather events. Each 0.1°C increase in global air temperature has led to an additional 360 climate-related disasters in Brazil, while rising ocean temperatures have contributed to even more severe consequences. The economic toll has been significant, with damages amounting to R$ 5.6 billion ($970 million) per 0.1°C rise.
The frequency of these disasters has intensified over the last decade, with an annual average of 4,077 recorded events compared to just 725 per year in the 1990s. Between 1991 and 2023, Brazil recorded 64,280 climate disasters affecting 5,117 municipalities, nearly 92% of the country. Over 219 million people have suffered from these events, with 78 million affected in just the last four years. The disasters include severe droughts, floods, and storms, with droughts accounting for half of the recorded events.
This research, published under the title “2024 – The Hottest Year in History,” is part of the “Brazil in Transformation: The Impact of the Climate Crisis” series. Conducted by the Brazilian Ocean Literacy Alliance and coordinated by the Sea of Science Program at UNIFESP, alongside the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation and UNESCO, the study aims to make climate change more tangible by quantifying its direct impact on Brazilian lives and the economy.
The findings come as Brazil faces its hottest recorded year, with global temperatures exceeding pre-industrial levels by 1.6°C. The Paris Agreement set a critical threshold at 1.5°C, but the rapid escalation of global warming has surpassed expectations. In 2024, 60% of Brazilian territory suffered record-breaking droughts, leading to devastating wildfires in the Amazon, Cerrado, and Pantanal. Simultaneously, Rio Grande do Sul experienced its most extreme flooding in history, affecting nearly 95% of its municipalities. These events were exacerbated by El Niño, which itself has intensified due to ongoing climate change, further amplifying ocean warming and its cascading effects.
Despite these alarming trends, Brazil's budget for risk and disaster management has been cut consistently between 2012 and 2023, with annual reductions averaging R$ 200 million ($34.6 million). In 2025, the allocated budget for risk management remains at R$ 1.7 billion ($294.6 million), continuing the downward trend. The study highlights a significant imbalance in spending, with more funds directed toward emergency response than proactive prevention and adaptation strategies. According to UN estimates, every dollar invested in risk prevention could save up to $15 in post-disaster recovery costs.
Urgent measures are needed to mitigate these escalating climate disasters. The study advocates for stronger environmental policies, increased investment in nature-based solutions, and the restoration of key ecosystems such as forests, mangroves, and coral reefs. Additionally, urban centers must develop tailored climate adaptation plans to reduce emissions and enhance resilience.
The research is part of an ongoing series that will publish additional volumes throughout 2025, focusing on various climate disaster categories and potential solutions. The overarching message is clear: without immediate and ambitious action, Brazil faces escalating economic and social crises driven by climate change.
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