How is climate change affecting Ceará?
We live in a biome called Caatinga, which is very sensitive to climate change. Our region already experiences low rainfall and high average temperatures. Now temperatures have increased even more. We are talking about a rise of 1-1.5°C, which has a substantial impact on agricultural production and causes serious water security issues with longer periods of droughts. From 2013 to 2018, we faced the worst drought and the lowest rainfall in the last century. Additionally, on our coastline, extending over 570 kilometres, the sea is advancing on our beaches.
What action are you taking to address climate change?
We are supporting family farmers. The Northeast region accounts for 40 per cent of family farming in Brazil and we are investing R$1 billion (around $188 million) in training projects, production and marketing support, providing technical assistance in the 184 municipalities of Ceará. In parallel, we are training over 10,000 young people to work on socio-environmental initiatives. The aim is to strengthen their social and professional development, through an environmental preservation lens. By training young people, we also train the community in which they live, generating a new ecological awareness in our society.
What are the benefits? Why is it important?
One of the key benefits is the improved quality of life of our people. When we have a change in the energy matrix, a change in society's behavior and in the preservation of the environment, we are better equipped to maintain our agricultural production and income. A new economy has opened up in Ceará, generating job opportunities and better wages for our people.