We need to act quickly for the planet, warns Marcia Castro – 02/25/2024 – Marcia Castro

The importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preserving the forest, the effects of climate change and inequalities are topics discussed recurrently around the world.

Despite the uncertainty inherent in the production of scientific knowledge, it is known that it is necessary to act quickly to avoid the adverse effects of each of these topics. Here, quick action needs to include two aspects.

On the one hand, it is necessary to implement adaptation measures to face and mitigate what is already observed now. On the other hand, there needs to be a commitment to change to avoid even worse catastrophes in the long term. What is common is the need for joint participation of various government sectors in these actions.

The problem is that, in most countries, these actions are implemented reactively and not always intersectorally. Furthermore, public policy greatly lacks a long-term vision. A vision of change that lasts more than 4 or 8 years in office. In other words, a continuous commitment regardless of political party.

There are several examples in Brazil that fit into this discussion. Research led by scientists from Brazil and published this month in the journal Nature shows that, by 2050 (in 26 years!), 10% to 40% of the Amazon forest could undergo critical transitions in the ecosystem that not only compromise the forest’s resilience but also enhance climate change.

To avoid this scenario, local efforts are needed to curb deforestation and degradation, in addition to expanding reforestation of degraded areas. There is also a need for a global commitment to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Between 2018 and 2022, these efforts did not guide public policy in Brazil. Deforestation, fires and illegal mining advanced, creating an environmental, social and public health setback.

The humanitarian crisis in Yanomami land is an example that gained visibility thanks to the tireless efforts of the Sumaúma journalism platform. The crisis made it clear how the environmental issue exacerbated deficiencies that already existed in indigenous health, leading to a situation that was completely avoidable if there was a long-term vision.

The action plan to improve indigenous health, recently sent to the Federal Supreme Court, highlights the high turnover and lack of trained professionals to work in indigenous health care, as well as weaknesses in data collection, planning and monitoring of actions and environmental threats .

Despite a detailed discussion of basic and environmental sanitation issues, there is no explicit mention of the need to monitor the presence of mercury in water and food consumed by indigenous people.

These problems are not new. Does there need to be a humanitarian crisis for them to be resolved?

Another example is the precarious infrastructure of cities. Results from the 2022 Census show that, despite progress since 2010, around 10 million people do not have access to running water at home, 18 million do not have garbage collection and 49 million do not have adequate access to a sewage network.

This scenario has contributed to the progression of arboviruses in the country for decades (among other public health issues). In the absence of infrastructure, cleaning actions, hiring agents, health education and social awareness cannot only be emergency in response to epidemics, but routine to prevent these epidemics.

Long-term public policy is an investment. The cost of not doing so grows every day.

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