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42 million Brazilians at risk
ALMOST 42 million Brazilians who live in coastal
areas could be impacted by a half-meter rise in
Atlantic Ocean levels in the 21st century, according
to a study published by the Ministry of the
Environment.
 The
study, titled “Climate Change and its Effects on
Brazilian Biodiversity,” was begun in 2004 by
experts at the Center for Weather Forecasting and
Climate Studies and the National Institute of
Climate Research, along with other institutions.
Marina Silva, Brazilian minister of the environment,
emphasized the need for international action so that
all countries adopt policies aimed at reducing
carbonic gas emissions.
Higher temperatures can have disastrous effects on
some coastal areas. On Brazil’s coasts, the tendency
is for ocean levels to rise by 40 centimeters per
century, but due to global warming, it is feared
that it could be as high as 50 centimeters in the
current century.
The
city of Rio de Janeiro is one of the cities most
vulnerable to higher Atlantic Ocean levels. In
Pernambuco, six out of every 10 beaches have shrunk.
An increase of 50 centimeters in ocean levels could
cover over 100 meters of beach area in the northeast
region, Argenpress reported.
(Translated by Granma
International)
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