Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change

1. a) Brazil carries eight different water sources, one being the amazon river and another being the South Atlantic ocean. They will most likely experience an increase in water levels but what I discovered is they use a technique called Hydroelectric power that deals with water. What happens is, instead of using coal fired power plants that generate steam to turn the turbine (propeller) that then turns a metal shaft in an electric generator that creates electricity, Brazil uses water to do this. The water is confined by a damn that release the water down a slant where the turbine lays. The water then spins the propeller or turbine which then causes the metal shaft in the generator to spin and electricity is the outcome.

What i also find incredible is Brazil is using sugar cane to produce ethanol based fuel that a car can run off of. This is a great alternative because it reduces greenhouse gases enormously due to the fact that it decreases the need for oil and the amount of oil that is used. 

2. Brazil has many beautiful tropical regions but many are dying off because of deforestation which is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases. Brazil is focused on not preserving and saving the ecosystem because not only does it absorb much of the CO2 but it provides oxygen for us to breath as well as providing a home for animals. Brazil is funding programs that are designed to protect the rainforest and let it live. I think it is awesome that people are getting together to save a part of the country that is so special to them. 

3. Brazil has committed to cut emissions 36.1 percent to 38.9 percent below projected levels in 2020 

and set domestic targets for curbs on deforestation in its Amazon and Cerrado regions.  

http://www.rainforestcoalition.org/documents/Persson_Azar_After_Kyoto_Brazil.pdf

The Kyoto protocol did not target to reduce deforestation because it is difficult when the demand for land can be scarce when it comes to drilling for oil or for population development. But Brazil has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emission by keeping the rainforest's from becoming extinct. 

4.As I said earlier, the largest contributor to greenhouse gases is deforestation. The whole country is adamant about keeping these forests safe and saving the ecosystem that lives there. Not only will it reduce CO2 emissions but it may also hold the cure for diseases or sickness. Brazil is not only striving to save their ecosystem by keeping a sturdy stance on saving the forest but they are also decreasing the pollution that is floating in the air by decreasing the use of oil. They do this by producing ethanol from sugarcane which is used to fuel a car. Brazil is also finding a use in natural energy such as hydroelectric power. 

5.I believe Brazil needs to do both. They can definitely take action into reducing CO2 just like very other country can but they also need to learn to adapt because they do have a lot of water that surrounds them and may be a threat. But they also have to worry about the rainforest not getting enough water to keep it from dehydrating. I think Brazil already has smart ideas on how to reduce carbon emissions the only things is the ideas need to become more familiar and widely used. The biggest threat to Brazil is the rainforests that live within. 

Climate Change Impacts

1. South America is very likely to warm during this century. The increase in temperature will be similar to the global average warming in Southern South America But a more intense global warming will occur everywhere else in South America. Over all, precipitation will decrease in general but more dramatically in the summer. Spring will also become dryer and South America will experience a decrease in rain. Changes in the tropical regions are a fundamental concern because tropical cyclones may take place and be a factor of climate change as well as intense hurricanes due to the precipitation being affected in the summer. The future of the rainforest is not only vital, but it also provides nutrients and food to many living organisms and has a tremendous influence on the climate. Brazil is likely to experience subtle droughts if the temperature was to rise which could impact the agriculture from surviving and water shortages. Less water could also lead Brazil into experiencing forest fires.

2. An increase in temperature will lead to a decrease in soil water leaving the plants malnourished. Rainforest's may be replaced by a dry dessert climate resulting in a loss of many species. Productivity of many crops will decline and become scarce and sea level rise will contribute to the death of many crops because flooding could take place and drown the crops.  Many people are trying to adapt to global warming and moderate there living in ways that will not contribute to CO2 but we are still un educated when it comes to: Analyzing and observing the changes, lack of building effective barriers to keep water out, security against diseases, and basic information.  Changes in global warming will make more areas more vulnerable than others, causing people to move into more secure places. A rise in population will also have an affect on the climate because there is more stress and we will create more pollution. 

Rainforest Drought

3. Unusual and abnormal weather have been reported in Latin America such as: Intense rainfall, flooding, droughts, hailstorms and hurricanes. Too much rain has drowned out the crops and an increase in heat has been eating away at glaciers. In many of the tropical places such as Brazil, they will be experiencing either intense rainfall or very little; one or the other. The combined effects of climate change and human actions have made a profound impact on weather. Many diseases have been developing in Brazil due to warm and humid environments. People are beginning to find a way to fight against global warming and prepare themselves for what is about to come. But we still do not have all of the right necessities to completely fight against global warming. 

4. Deforestation in Latin America will be one of the most crucial environmental disasters faced in this region. 48.3% of greenhouse gases are a result from deforestation. Trees absorb CO2 that is in the air and when the trees are cut down, they release the CO2 back into the air where it will sit and cause a increase in temperature if there is too much CO2 in the air. As the temperature increases, forests may began to have insect outbreaks, invasive species, wildfires and storms. Rainforest's may then be taken over by fireprone brush and savanna. We can expect a degradation of water sources, loss of valuable soil and an increase of erosion. Without much water, species will become extinct and the land will experience drought.   Agricultural expansion will take place and eliminate two thirds of the rainforest. This will cause negative problems and the climate will be hugely influenced by dying rain forests.