When our only vision of the future is collapse, we tend to become paralyzed. This happens, among other things, because people make decisions based on their beliefs about society and what lies ahead.

It is precisely in these moments that we need to remember that crisis is not a permanent state, nor does it necessarily mean a path to worse. The word "crisis," in its origin, means "a moment of sudden change" or "a difficult moment of decision." In other words, a crisis can be a transition point and, depending on the choices we make, can lead us to a better or more desirable future.

For the crisis to truly be a period of transition, we must act and make decisions based on the anticipation of the futures we want to create. Below, we present some essential actions for this mitigation climate change and adaptation from society to its effects.

Standing forests

In Brazil, one of the most urgent actions to combat the climate crisis is to eliminate deforestation and preserve forests. But what does this mean in practice, and why is it so important?

Forests act as large carbon sinks, capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. However, when they are cut down, the opposite happens: all this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere. In Brazil, deforestation, caused primarily by the expansion of livestock and agriculture, is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. That's why keeping forests standing is crucial to tackling the climate crisis.

But it doesn't stop there: in addition to sequestering carbon, forests also protect biodiversity, soil, and water, and play an important role in climate regulation, helping, for example, to reduce heat and prevent the spread of fires.

Keeping forests standing also means ensuring living conditions for indigenous peoples and traditional communities. Did you know that they are largely responsible for protecting forests in our country? Studies show that these territories have the lowest deforestation rates.

Therefore, the demarcation of Indigenous Lands and the titling of quilombola territories are extremely important strategies in the fight against climate change.

Caption: Indigenous people demonstrate at the Free Land Camp. Brasília, DF, 2023. Photo: Ana Pessoa / Mídia NINJA, CC BY 4.0

Nature as a solution

In cities, it is also possible to adopt measures to address the effects of the climate crisis. A good example is Nature-based solutions, that bring benefits to both human well-being and biodiversity. These solutions involve actions to protect, conserve, and restore ecosystems, considering the environmental, social, and economic aspects of the territories.

To combat heat islands, improve the air, and regulate rainfall, urban squares and parks with vegetation act as natural air conditioners, preventing droughts and reducing flooding. This is because green areas absorb rainwater better and increase air humidity. Furthermore, they provide leisure for the population, shelter for biodiversity, and improve air quality.

To prevent flooding and filter and absorb rainwater, rain gardens exist—low-lying areas planted with plants that act as natural sponges. Imagine a flowerbed lower than the sidewalk, capable of storing and filtering rainwater, preventing flooding. There are also bioswales, located along streets and functioning as vegetated gutters that filter polluted water before it reaches storm drains and also drain excess rain, reducing runoff during storms.

Green roofs are a great solution for cooling buildings and utilizing unused space. They consist of layers of soil and vegetation applied to buildings, which reduce internal temperatures, retain water, and can even produce food.

Now, think about your neighborhood: are there any green spaces there? And have you seen any Nature-Based Solutions near where you live?

Caption: Rain garden in a park in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Photo: Nereu Jr. / WRI Brasil, CC BY 4.0.

Just energy transition

Energy is present in almost everything we do: in transportation, in industry, in food preparation and in lighting cities.

But most of this energy still comes from the burning of fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, a process that releases large amounts of greenhouse gases and exacerbates the climate crisis. Therefore, it is urgent to transition to renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and biomass.

But this transition needs to be fair! That is, it must consider the social and environmental impacts of the process, ensuring that communities are not harmed and that the benefits of the change are distributed equitably.

While the window to address the climate crisis is rapidly closing, there is still time to build a safer, more livable future.

Caption: Solar power plant Photo: Kleber Reudo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Access our upcoming content to understand how the climate crisis affects us and what possible ways to address it.

The climate has changed

How can climate change affect our lives?

What else can we do?

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Climate glossary