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Food and Sustainability #39: Fires and deforestation

Duration: 0:05:35.072653

The discussion revolves around the connection between agro-food systems and deforestation, featuring Nadir Marques and Estela São Severino, a graduate student and researcher at the Josué de Castro Chair for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems at USP. Estela explains that deforestation largely refers to the conversion of native vegetation, particularly forests, for agricultural and livestock purposes. A recent report highlights that over 97% of native vegetation loss in the last five years was due to agriculture. The Amazon and the Cerrado biomes are particularly affected, with significant areas being cleared for cattle ranching followed by monoculture crops like soy and corn. It is noteworthy that most of these crops (about 41% of global grain production) are used for animal feed, especially for poultry and pigs. The conversation also addresses the critical situation regarding fires in Brazilian biomes in 2024. The Pantanal experienced severe fires, exacerbated by climate change and poorly managed agricultural land clearing. Deforestation significantly contributes to climate change, with agro-food systems responsible for a third of global emissions, including 18.4% from forest conversion. Deforestation itself accounts for 11% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Estela points out that Brazil has the potential to implement strategies such as zero deforestation, regenerative cattle ranching, and restoring degraded lands to mitigate climate change. The discussion concludes with Nadir thanking Estela for her insights and encouraging listeners to explore more about sustainable food systems.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: AgricultureDeforestationAgro-Food Systems

Climate summit pledges to end deforestation and cut methane by 2030

Duration: 0:11:59

More than 100 world leaders committed to investing nearly $200 billion to end deforestation by 2030 and reverse the loss and degradation of land. This announcement was made at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, where countries like Canada, Brazil, Russia, and Indonesia signed the agreement to stop deforestation by 2030, a move considered key to preventing the impacts of global warming. These countries have approximately 85% of the world's forests. Besides, 28 countries have committed to reducing deforestation in global trade of food and agricultural products such as palm oil, soy, and cocoa. The United Kingdom pledged to support the initiative with $200 million from public and private funds. The EU government also promised €103 billion by 2025 to tackle deforestation. The decision was considered crucial in controlling the Earth's warming to 1.5°C.

Language: Chinese
Topics: Climate changeDeforestation

Record heatwave: the facts that marked the year 2024

Duration: 0:06:49.330113

In a segment on CBN Radio, Marco Bravo discusses key environmental and sustainability issues that emerged in 2024. He highlights several pressing problems: 1. **Record Heat Waves**: The planet experienced its highest recorded temperatures, particularly in Europe, exceeding 50 degrees Celsius. This impacted agriculture, public health, and biodiversity, prompting a call for communities to prepare for extreme temperatures. 2. **Deforestation in the Amazon**: Unfortunately, deforestation rates increased by 15% from the previous year, with wildfires affecting areas as large as the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The Amazon's significance in regulating climate and rainfall in Latin America is underscored. 3. **Plastic Pollution**: A staggering 12 million tons of plastic were dumped into oceans, contributing to the pervasive microplastic contamination affecting marine life and humans, leading to health concerns. 4. **Water Crisis**: Major cities like Jakarta faced severe water shortages, and Brazil experienced its worst drought on record, highlighting the need for responsible water consumption. 5. **Extreme Weather Events**: The year was marked by intense hurricanes, floods, and droughts, stressing the complexity of climate events and the importance of international policies. Bravo also references the COP29 discussions, which aimed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. As temperatures have already reached this threshold, the focus shifts to supporting developing nations facing climate-related losses. He encourages reflection on advancements in green technology, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy sources, and emphasizes the importance of conservation and biodiversity efforts in Brasil and the EU. Moreover, Bravo promotes the idea of reducing single-use plastics and adopting reusable items, as well as fostering grassroots movements and environmental education led by youth. In conclusion, he urges listeners to consider how they can contribute positively to addressing these challenges as 2024 comes to an end.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: Environmental ChallengesClimate Change and COP29

2024 is the hottest year ever seen on Earth; understand

Duration: 0:13:04.082416

In a recent discussion on CBN Radio, Marco Bravo addressed the alarming forecast that 2024 is expected to be the hottest year on record. This assertion is backed by data from the Copernicus Institute, which indicates a global temperature rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius. Bravo emphasized the serious repercussions of climate change, arising primarily from industrialization and the resultant increase in carbon emissions due to fossil fuel consumption, deforestation, and other human activities. He outlined the implications of this temperature rise, highlighting that it leads to more extreme weather patterns, including torrential rains in some regions and droughts in others. Bravo noted that this altered climate affects critical ecological systems, such as the Amazon rainforest, whose plants play a key role in the global carbon cycle and agriculture. Additionally, he discussed the dangers of thawing permafrost in the Arctic, which could release significant amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. He warned about the devastating impact of deforestation and urban expansion without proper planning, suggesting that Brazil does not need to clear more land to increase agricultural productivity. Bravo also mentioned Brazil's potential in renewable energy sources and the importance of restoring degraded land to mitigate climate change. He concluded by highlighting recent extreme weather events in Brazil as a reflection of climate change’s reality, urging the need for awareness and concrete actions to address these pressing issues.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: Climate changeRising Global TemperaturesDeforestation, Renewable Energy, and Mitigation Strategies