Brazilian Pantanal Fires: Drought, Climate Change, and Despair.

PHOTO SOURCE © naturepl.com / Bence Mate / WWF

For the past two months, fires have engulfed the wetland region of Pantanal in Western-Southern Brazil. These fires are threatening ecosystems, animals, and indigenous peoples. Last year, social media was consumed with the devastating fires in the Amazon rainforest, however, the largest fires in the Pantanal region quadruple that of any fire that has burned in the Amazon, according to NASA satellites.

Fires in the region occur annually, often because of natural causes due to the dry season (June-November). However, deliberate fires are also started by farmers attempting to clear land for more farmland and cattle. As man made fires are increasing unsustainably, the Pantanal wetlands are under significant threat. These fires have grown out of control for the local population and animals who rely on the wetland for survival. Consequently, a state of emergency has been declared in several states, including Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso.

Ecosystems

The Pantanal region resides as the largest wetland area in the world, home to the most biodiverse ecosystems on our planet. These fires are devastating to the 1200 animal species that reside there, including endangered animals, some near to extinction. Unfortunately, it has been difficult for biologists to accurately account for those ecosystems and animals that have been affected; biologist Rogerio Rossi calculates that “thousands of animals have perished.”

Ecosystems, animals and humans rely on one another for survival in the region, whether for food, nutrients or tourism. The Pantanal is home to the largest concentration of crocodiles and parrots in the world. With their homes, food, and lives at risk, as are the 1 million tourists who are attracted to the region to see these animals every year, contributing to the 70 billion dollars the Pantanal region creates for the Brazilian economy annually. This demonstrates how severe the impact of these fires will be beyond ecological reasons as many local businesses will suffer from a lack of biodiversity as tourism could drop.

Moreover, Pantanal is also home to the world’s largest Jaguar population, and some rely on tourism for jaguar viewing from international tourists. The wildcat organisation, Panthera, has estimated around 200 jaguars have been injured or killed because of these fires. Similar to those in the Amazon, these fires may unfortunately become the norm for Brazil, from the rise in climate-driven fires to a lack of enforceability by the Brazilian government. For many in this region, these fires have ruined their homes and livelihoods. Eduarda Fernandes, a local guide for the region, told Al Jazeera when asked about the fires and burned animals, simply stated, “Pain. Despair.”

Drought

Heavy rainfall and floods normally aid to counteract annual fires and help the land recuperate for farming, however, a combination of the fires and global warming have resulted in a spell of irregular dry years leading to a drop in water levels. Between January and May, rainfall was 50% below the normal level for the region. Considering that heavy rainfall was used to fight against the fires, a lack of rain and dropping water levels mean that the Pantanal is more vulnerable than ever to fires.

A naturally occurring climate phenomenon, La Niña, is expected in 2020, and this reduces rainfall in the Pantanal. La Niña changes ocean temperatures and weather patterns, as strong winds blow even colder water towards South America, causing drier than average years from the lack of rain clouds forming. Even with the ocean a few degrees colder due to the stronger winds, this significantly affects the weather all over the world, especially in the Pantanal region.

Changing ocean temperatures caused by global warming are also another “likely driver of the dry conditions,” notes Doug Morton, the lead in NASA’s biospheric science lab for the region. The fear that increasing global temperatures will remain permanent have led to concerns over long lasting negative consequences of fires and droughts on humans, animals, and ecosystems alike.

The Brazilian Government

The fires burning in the Pantanal and Amazon have attracted regional and international concern from environmentalists and governments. Orders from Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to clear land, deliberately deforest, and ignore the fires, is alarming. In the Amazon alone, deforestation has increased by 34.5%, and 16% of the Pantanal has been burned away. A Brazilian freelance reporter, Barbosa Leandro (@Barbosa_Leandro), recently tweeted videos of the fires ravaging the Pantanal, and one local man reported that the “government in Brasilia is laughing at the fires. And it’s advancing over our future.” To many in the region, Bolsonaro’s administration is more focused on helping the horticulture industry than preserving the Pantanal. There has been little regard for the animals, residents, both indigenous and non-indigenous.

The recent international outcry led to the Brazilian government banning fires in the Pantanal and Amazon for 120 days in an attempt to ensure international investment. However, locals of the Pantanal, including Martin Frankenberg, president of the Brazilian Luxury Travel Association, have claimed that, “the ban has not been enforced.” The actions, and omissions, of the Brazilian government and those taking advantage of the venture into making way for farmland, will have substantial consequences for both the present and the future of the Pantanal.

Global Health

The WHO found that between 1998 and 2017, there were 2,4000 deaths worldwide caused by wildfires and volcanic activity due to people suffering from suffocation, injuries and burns. Additionally, due to wildfire containing particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds it becomes evident that air quality will be negatively affected resulting in increased air pollution. This in turn can result in respiratory and cardiovascular problems not only locally but also wherever the wind causes the smoke to travel. Moreover, the damage caused to the ecosystem may also impact the mental and psychological well-being of those who work in the eco-tourism industry as they struggle meeting ends meet when tourism decreases as a consequence of the fires.

Final words

Climate scientists worry that these uncontrollable and unregulated fires in the Pantanal will become an annual occurrence. These echo the rise in climate-driven fires spread across the world, from Brazil to Australia. These fires emit millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every day. In addition, deliberate fires supported by a government have the potential to lead to an increase in illegal deforestation in more countries than Brazil. This will further contribute to our defences weakening against climate change and global warming.

In these unprecedented times related to Covid-19, these fires bring even more harmful consequences to those living in the region, including respiratory issues, allergies, and general disruptions in people’s lives. Many locals in the Pantanal region hope the power of social media will help the region receive the attention and justice it deserves, as deforestation, fires, and climate change is not just a problem for Brazil, but for the rest of the world.