Virtually all Brazilians link current floods to climate change

Photo: Bruno Kirilos/Agencia Enquadrar/Folhapress

A survey by Quaest shows that 99 percent of Brazilians believe that the environmental catastrophe which hit the state of Rio Grande do Sul is linked to climate change — echoing the opinions of the scientific community.

While 64 percent of people blame climate change entirely for the floods and torrential rainfall currently chastising Brazil’s southernmost state, another 30 percent see partial causality — while 5 percent see little connection between the two. Only 1 percent say there is no connection at all.

The findings echo those of a 2023 poll by Ipec that showed that political polarization has not divided Brazil on the issue of climate change the way it has in the U.S. A whopping 94 percent of Brazilians believe climate change is happening, and three out of four say it is caused by human activity.

Ipec showed that 70 percent of Brazilians believe climate change will greatly harm them (and their families). Additionally, an overwhelming majority of Brazilians are convinced that future generations will suffer as well.

According to the more recent Quaest poll, 96 percent of Brazilians believe extreme weather events are becoming more intense. Almost 80 percent reported having experienced extreme heat in their cities in recent years.

Industrial pollution and deforestation were identified as the main causes of climate change, ahead of disordered urban occupation and the use of fossil fuels.

Preserving green areas and regenerating degraded ones appear as the most effective initiatives to protect the environment, in the view of the largest group (23 percent) of those interviewed. Technological and scientific advances were placed as a priority by just 6 percent.

Quaest also asked about politicians’ responsibility for the tragedy. For 70 percent of those interviewed, investments in infrastructure could have helped avoid this situation. At the same time, more than half of them are satisfied with the performance of municipal (59 percent), state (54 percent), and federal (53 percent) authorities.

Isabela Cruz

Isabela Cruz holds a law degree from the State University of Rio de Janeiro and a master's degree in social sciences from the Fundação Getulio Vargas. Prior to The Brazilian Report, she covered politics and the judicial system for Nexo.