{"id":72374,"date":"2022-11-25T08:15:51","date_gmt":"2022-11-25T11:15:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=72374"},"modified":"2023-08-23T12:13:52","modified_gmt":"2023-08-23T15:13:52","slug":"the-degradation-of-rio-de-janeiros-urban-wetlands-part-3-growing-frequency-of-flooding-in-jacarepagua-lagoon-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=72374","title":{"rendered":"The Degradation of Rio de Janeiro’s Urban Wetlands, Part 3: Growing Frequency of Flooding in Jacarepagu\u00e1 Lagoon Communities"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas<\/i><\/span><\/i>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This is the third in a series<\/a>\u00a0of four articles about the \u201cDegradation of the Pantanal Carioca<\/a>,\u201d as Rio de Janeiro\u2019s West Zone wetlands were once known.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Rio de Janeiro\u2019s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy<\/i> was launched in 2016<\/a> through the Rio de Janeiro city government\u2019s partnership with the Center for Integrated Studies on Climate Change and the Environment (Centro Clima<\/a>) and the Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute for Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE-UFRJ<\/a>)<\/span>. The document indicates that the city’s Planning Area 4\u2019s (AP4) drivers of growth are threatening the Pedra Branca massif<\/a>\u00a0and the Jacarepagu\u00e1 Lagoon Complex\u2014potentially impacting people, properties and natural ecosystems.<\/span><\/p>\n

On page 38, under the category \u201cUrban Planning and Housing,\u201d the document reveals that \u201cThe loss of forests could exacerbate floods and high temperatures. An increased average sea level could threaten the urbanized coastal regions of the Barra da Tijuca Administrative Region (AR), as well as possible flooding around the whole Lagoon Complex.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The document also predicts impacts to the \u201cUrban Mobility,\u201d \u201cHealth,\u201d and \u201cStrategic Infrastructure\u201d categories. With respect to mobility, it states that the increased average sea level could threaten the integrity of cycle paths and pavements, harming active transportation and increasing car and bus use. This could happen especially in the Jacarepagu\u00e1<\/a> and City of God<\/a> Administrative Regions (RA) due to floods and landslides on the slopes and hills of the Pedra Branca and Tijuca massifs\u2014some of which could potentially reach important public roads.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the health category, the study indicates that the Jacarepagu\u00e1 RA presents the greatest vulnerability to disease, especially leptospirosis and visceral leishmaniasis, while the City of God RA presents low socioeconomic indicators. Extreme climatic events can exacerbate these problems. And in the infrastructure category, the study highlights the growing exposure to high temperatures and mass of landslides.<\/span><\/p>\n

On page 40, the study reveals how this situation occurs in the Jacarepagu\u00e1 lagoons:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn instances of more intense and frequent rains, the flow of rivers that drain into the lowlands through forest massifs will be intensified, contributing to a greater input of sediments and pollutants into the lagoons. Higher temperatures over consecutive days, coupled with dry periods, contribute to a reduced environmental quality of the lagoons and the rivers and channels of the respective drainage basins. Waves a<\/span>nd undertows, <\/span>if very strong, are capable of altering, even if temporarily, the hydrodynamics of the lagoons\u2014causing sediment stirring at the bottom and flooding surrounding lowland areas. With sufficient duration to allow the slow inflow of water into the Jacarepagu\u00e1 Lagoon Complex, the weather tides\u2014originated from extratropical cyclones with the strength of a hurricane\u2014will advance the flooding of adjacent lowland areas and the elevation of the water table, which could also have altered salt content. A<\/span>n increased water surface could block the flow of channels and rivers, causing floods which may be enhanced by strong rains and the syzygy high tides.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Guanabara Bay Basin Committee and the Maric\u00e1 and Jacarepagu\u00e1 Lagoon Systems (CBH-BG<\/a>) have numerous maps that are available for download<\/a>. The \u201cMass Movement and Flooding\u201d map shows that a large part of the AP4 is highly susceptible to mass movement and flooding, being one of the areas most threatened by climate change in Rio de Janeiro. If this happens in the future, places such as the favela of Rio das Pedras<\/a>, for example, may disappear from the map.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Flooding is increasingly common in the Rio das Pedras favela. Located between Barra da Tijuca<\/a> and Jacarepagu\u00e1, Rio das Pedras emerged in the 1950s<\/a> and its growth and occupation process was accelerated by the migration movement occurring across Rio de Janeiro at the time. Migrants from numerous regions in the country came to live in Rio das Pedras\u2014the largest number from the Brazilian Northeast. Barra da Tijuca experienced increased employment opportunities with this migration to Rio de Janeiro. The swampy area that became Rio das Pedras, which also covered many sandbanks, was occupied by residents with no help from the state or municipal governments. According to the last census by the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics (IBGE<\/a>), carried out in 2010, Rio das Pedras has 63,000 residents\u2014one of the most populous favelas in Rio.<\/p>\n

The favela is named after the river that cuts through the region. It is silted<\/a> and is currently undergoing a cleaning and dredging process, which is still in its initial stage. From the region that comprises Engenheiro Souza Filho Avenue up to the sandbanks, the water body is still completely silted. The cleaning process is predicted to end<\/a> in March 2023. While the cleaning is not complete, floods are increasingly common and disrupt the day-to-day lives of residents and local merchants.<\/p>\n

Douglas Teixeira, 27, is a resident of Rio das Pedras and reports the problems experienced by residents and local merchants caused by floods:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs well as fear of the rain, we now also have to worry about the tide movements impacting our lives, our schedules and even whether or not we can leave the house. I have lived in the Areinha region for at least six years, and this situation has been occurring with greater intensity since last year. Normally, there were two flood \u2018seasons\u2019: during heavy rains (in the summer) and <\/span>high tides (at the <\/span>end of fall and start of winter). Today, the tides influence our lives all year round, regardless of the weather.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Ad\u00e3o Castro\u2014Geography PhD student at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and member of the research groups River Dynamics and Management (Geomorphos\/UFRJ) and Center for Hydrogeography Studies and Research (NEPH-UFF)\u2014explains the impacts of urbanization on the Rio das Pedras river basin, and emphasizes that the flooding problem in the region is chronic and needs to be resolved by the public authorities:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBefore the occupation, this area was a continuation of the lagoon, with vegetation predominantly composed of cattails that occupied the swampy areas. Tide dynamics\u2014the inflow and outflow of water through the Tijuca Lagoon\u2014have always been present in this region. An urban drainage construction is necessary, starting with a sewage system construction, so that the sewage is collected and treated before it enters the lagoon.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Launched in March 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report<\/a><\/em> warns that the average increase in global temperatures could reach 3.5\u00baC if no practical measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are put in place on a global scale. With this, cities such as Rio de Janeiro can face increases of 3% in deaths caused by heat by 2050, and 8% by 2090. If these emissions are contained, this mortality rate falls to 2%. An increase in extreme rainfall is also predicted and, consequently, disasters such as floods and landslides.<\/span><\/p>\n

The report also foresees fish production falling by up to 36% from 2050 to 2070, compared to 2030 to 2050. A catastrophic prognosis is established for the production of crustaceans and molluscs, nearing extinction with a fall of 97% in the same period.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFish mortality is primarily caused by eutrophication. It is political will [that impedes change]. [The solution comes from] the mayor\u2019s decision, the governor\u2019s decision. Through increased funding to the State Institute for the Environment (INEA<\/a>), increased funding to the Environmental Secretariat for more inspectors, to have more vehicles, and to improve the laboratories, do you understand? This is not that much money. The cost of the fish mortality and degradation process is much greater. Is it worth a destroyed lagoon, a destroyed spring, a leak at the beach that will destroy tourism? So is this the better investment? Unfortunately, our politicians are not seeing this,\u201d stated Adacto Ottoni\u2014Public Health PhD and professor within the Sanitation Engineering and Environment department at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (DESMA\/FEN\/UFRJ).<\/span><\/p>\n

In a statement<\/a>, INEA informed of its installation of five eco barriers in the main rivers that flow into the region, aiming to stop trash from reaching the beaches\u2014removing 3,352 tons of solid waste for proper environmental disposal in the first semester of 2022. The institute also informed that in the past two years, it carried out 54 surveys in gated communities and residential establishments in the region and adopted suitable legal measures when confronted with irregularities\u2014such as fines and notices.<\/span><\/p>\n

Through the Freedom of Information Act<\/a>, the Municipal Environmental Secretariat (SMAC) responded saying that surveillance is undertaken based on complaints received through external channels, starting with an inspection survey in the location, interviewing residents and possible culprits. Following this, the final examination, aiming to prove the potential environmental harm, identification of who was responsible and damage remediation.<\/span><\/p>\n

The SMAC informed that in the surveillance sector, there are currently seven technical professionals managing the AP4 surveillance, four technical professionals for the immediate examination of complaints and that, since 2021, the department has an Environmental Defense Coordination that reinforces the municipality\u2019s environmental surveillance with hundreds of actions to fight deforestation and other environmental crimes. Finally, the SMAC emphasized that the State Government is responsible for the management of the Tijuca<\/a>, Marapendi<\/a> and Jacarepagu\u00e1 lagoons<\/a>, and that the city is responsible for the conservation of the Marapendi Environmental Protection Area (APA)<\/a>, including the revitalization of the Marapendi Channel<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is the third in a series<\/a>\u00a0of four articles about the \u201cDegradation of the Pantanal Carioca<\/a>,\u201d as Baixada de Jacarepagu\u00e1, in Rio de Janeiro\u2019s West Zone, was once known.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

About the Authors:<\/em><\/p>\n

Felipe Migliani<\/a>\u00a0has a degree in journalism from Unicarioca with a focus on Investigative Journalism. Working as an independent journalist and freelance reporter at Meia Hora and Estad\u00e3o newspapers, he collaborates with the\u00a0Coletivo Engenhos de Hist\u00f3rias<\/a>, which investigates and recovers history and memories from the Grande M\u00e9ier region, and with\u00a0PerifaConnection<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Fernanda Cal\u00e9<\/a>\u00a0has a degree in journalism from Unicarioca with a focus on Popular Communication as a way of reaching a diverse public in a clear and simple manner. Two years ago, she helped found\u00a0Ag\u00eancia Lume<\/a>\u2014a communication agency producing independent journalism in Jacarepagu\u00e1, focusing on Rio das Pedras, where she was born.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Support\u00a0<\/b>RioOnWatch<\/i><\/b>\u2019s tireless, critical and cutting-edge hyperlocal journalism, online community organizing meetings, and direct support to favelas\u00a0<\/b>by clicking here.<\/a><\/b><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas This is the third in a series\u00a0of four articles about the \u201cDegradation of the Pantanal Carioca,\u201d as Rio de Janeiro\u2019s West Zone wetlands were once known.\u00a0 Rio de Janeiro\u2019s Climate Change […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":238,"featured_media":72808,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1328,3477,335,1282,452,328,336],"tags":[225,231,472,3406,2128,474,2487,803,2117,107,2739,728,569,75,3544,3545,730,530,740,1445,2634,3541,21],"writer":[3512,3511],"translator":[3507],"illustrator":[],"photographer":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-72374","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-by-community-contributors","8":"category-climate-justice","9":"category-policies","10":"category-research-analysis","11":"category-rio20","12":"category-understanding-rio","13":"category-violations","14":"tag-barra-da-tijuca","15":"tag-city-of-god","16":"tag-climate-change","17":"tag-climate-justice","18":"tag-deforestation","19":"tag-environment","20":"tag-environment-secretariat","21":"tag-flood-risk","22":"tag-freedom-of-information-act","23":"tag-health","24":"tag-ibge","25":"tag-inea","26":"tag-jacarepagua","27":"tag-lagoa-de-jacarepagua","28":"tag-lagoa-de-marapendi","29":"tag-lagoa-do-camorim","30":"tag-pedra-branca-state-park","31":"tag-pollution","32":"tag-research-findings","33":"tag-rio-das-pedras","34":"tag-series","35":"tag-series-degradation-of-the-pantanal-carioca","36":"tag-west-zone","37":"writer-felipe-migliani","38":"writer-fernanda-cale","39":"translator-yasmin-quaife"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/238"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=72374"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72374\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/72808"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=72374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=72374"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=72374"},{"taxonomy":"writer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fwriter&post=72374"},{"taxonomy":"translator","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftranslator&post=72374"},{"taxonomy":"illustrator","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fillustrator&post=72374"},{"taxonomy":"photographer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fphotographer&post=72374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}