Heavy rain and landslides kill at least 36 in Brazil, inundated cities cancel Carnival festivities
PBS NewsHourJUL 2023
While science has not allowed us to quantify the role of climate change in Brazil's flooding events, we can with certainty say that human-caused climate change is responsible. These catastrophic events are in alignment with climate prediction models and future projections. Based on forecasts, these devastating events will not only continue, but as greenhouse emissions and warming increase, these events will increase as well.
World politicians have been quick to blame climate change for damage to infrastructure and the all-around disruption to daily lives. What they've failed to mention is that climate change wouldn't be that big of a deal if it weren't for their failed policies and poor planning. Without proper building and zoning policies and significant investments in infrastructure, governments have left people vulnerable to flooding and other infrastructure-related disasters. Blaming climate change doesn't fix the problems but makes way for absolving policymakers of their responsibility for the unnecessary loss of lives and property.