Scientist Carlos Nobre says that Brazil can achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. In his opening lecture on the second day of the 5th National Environment Conference, Nobre discussed climate change and presented preliminary data from an ongoing study showing that the country can meet the goal by that date.
According to Nobre, transitions are needed to a 100% clean energy matrix, carbon-neutral agriculture, negative emissions from proper land use, and large-scale restoration.
“Brazil has all the potential to have 100% clean and renewable energy and, by 2040, with much more carbon-neutral agriculture and large-scale forest restoration. Our study indicates that we can remove up to 600 million tons of CO2 annually, starting from 2040, by restoring biomes,” says the climatologist.
The scientist highlighted that the effects of these measures, beyond addressing the climate emergency, could ensure a better quality of life for the population.
“In case you didn’t know, burning fossil fuels generates pollutants in all cities in the world. How many people die due to urban pollution in the world? Six to seven million people per year.”
Carlos Nobre highlighted that, in 2022, Brazil was the fifth largest emitter on the planet, releasing 11 tons of greenhouse gases per person per year. Compared to other major emitters, China at the time emitted 10.5 tons per person, India emitted 2 tons, and the United States emitted 16.5 tons per person per year.
According to scientists, Brazil has been improving its situation. However, with the current government’s policies, such as the restoration of 12 million hectares and the goal of eliminating deforestation in all biomes by 2030, the country will emit 1.2 billion tons of CO2 equivalent if fossil fuels and high-emission agriculture continue.
Consequences
Without more emphatic measures to address the climate emergency, Carlos Nobre shows that there will be serious consequences, such as coral bleaching, which puts 25% of all ocean biodiversity at risk, and the intensification of global warming, with indications that 99% of species will disappear if the planet exceeds 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
Other disastrous consequences highlighted by the climatologist include the thawing of permafrost, which holds a gigantic amount of methane and carbon dioxide.
“If we exceed 2 degrees, we will release more than 200 billion tons of methane and carbon dioxide. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, 30 times stronger than carbon dioxide,” he explains.
Source: Agência Brasil