Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply - Embrapa

The considerable variations in CO concentration are associated with peaks
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of industrial activity, which intensifies the burning of petroleum and petroleum
products – or with years of more intense activity of the El Niño phenomenon –,
when the release of carbon from tree decomposition surpasses the withdrawal
of atmospheric carbon through photosynthesis. Nevertheless, since El Niño has
been inactive in recent year, this phenomenon cannot be held accountable for the
increase in atmospheric CO concentrations.
2
Various phenomena are being directly associated in the scientific
literature with the fast intensification of the greenhouse effect from the burning
of fossil fuels3 . American scholars are trying to demonstrate that although
forests and oceans act as sinks or deposits of carbon dioxide by withdrawing
excessive carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, they are losing this capability
due to system saturation, which could be another cause of the abnormal CO2 concentrations.
There is great concern over the intensification of the greenhouse effect
and consequent catastrophic changes from the global warming – rise in sea
level, draughts and more increased storm frequency. It is also greatly feared
that the schedule of such climate changes is being brought forward.
Few studies have been undertaken in Brazil on the possible impact of
global climate changes on agriculture. This impact will probably include
changes in the incidence of plant pests, with ensuing serious economic, social
and environmental consequences. The current plant health scenario would
be significantly altered, forcing the immediate implementation of studies and
research on ways to diminish the vulnerability of agriculture to climate changes,
together with a search for adaptive long-term strategies.
Since the sustainability of Brazilian agribusiness falls within its scope
of action, Embrapa has encouraged networking and research on this topic.
Embrapa is also seeking ways4 to prevent the emergence or reemergence of
plant diseases. Encouraging agroenergy is one of the most appropriate ways
of facing the challenge.
Transition of the energy matrix
Although changes in the components of the world energy matrix are
incontrovertible in the long run, there are various technological, political, cultural,
3 American researchers have pointed out that the forest fires that have ravaged the Northern Hemisphere
in the last few years may have contributed to the intensification of the greenhouse effect.
4 See, for example, the book Mudanças climáticas globais e doenças de plantas (Global climatic
changes and plant diseases) by Embrapa Environment researcher Raquel Ghini.
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