Amid global discussions about climate change, Brazilians from all regions are already feeling the direct effects of these transformations. What once seemed distant (floods that destroy homes and heat waves that compromise health and the economy) has now become a reality in the country and the world.
And the effects can already be measured: 77% of Brazilians have already suffered some harm caused by extreme weather events. The data is part of a study conducted by... Decarbonize Solutions, a company specializing in solar energy and sustainability, investigated how climate change affects the population.
And this impact goes beyond material damage; according to research, 8 out of 10 Brazilians have experienced or know someone who has gone through a situation caused by an extreme weather event, which reinforces that the climate crisis is no longer an isolated phenomenon, but an experience that spans regions and states.
The scenario aligns with the most recent global warnings: according to the Met Office, the UK's meteorological service, 2026 is expected to register an average temperature of 1,4°C above pre-industrial levels, placing it among the four warmest years since 1850.
Climate change is already altering plans for the future.
According to the study, the climate crisis not only affects the present, but also how Brazilians envision the future, since 91% of those interviewed stated that they have already stopped making or reconsidered some plans for the future due to climate change.
When recalculating their route, Brazilians say that traveling to certain destinations (25%), buying property in specific regions (23%), and making long-term investments (12%) are the main decisions impacted.
And this thought doesn't come from nowhere; it's fueled by a growing concern with each new event or piece of information discovered: 68% of Brazilians have become more worried about the future after coming into contact with news about climate events.
This behavior reflects the feeling of powerlessness that accompanies the idea that the situation is only going to get worse. It's no coincidence that five out of ten Brazilians said they believe that future generations will live in a worse situation than the current one.
At a time when floods in the South, wildfires in the Midwest, and the water crisis in the Northeast are becoming increasingly frequent, this anxiety takes on even greater dimensions in the public perception.
The climate crisis is changing the behavior of Brazilians.
In addition to changes in plans, research by Descarbonize Soluções reveals a less visible, but significant, aspect of the effects of the climate crisis: the impact on the emotional state of Brazilians: just over half of those interviewed (52%) said they frequently worry about extreme weather events.
For many, the frequent concern goes beyond mere thought and requires support: 66% of those surveyed have already sought some form of support to cope with feelings related to climate change.
The solutions found show that the population seeks different forms of support: some turn to conversations with friends and family (27%), some look for answers in online content (19%), and some seek professional psychological support (14%).
The effects of climate change are already part of the daily lives of Brazilians, with heat waves, floods, and other extreme events becoming increasingly frequent.
Given this scenario, the study points out that it is essential to invest in sustainable solutions, such as expanding the use of renewable energies, reducing carbon emissions, and strengthening the infrastructure of cities to minimize the impacts caused by these phenomena.
Exclusive
To understand how climate change affects Brazilians, in recent weeks Descarbonize Soluções interviewed 500 adults (over 18 years old) residing in all regions and connected to the internet. The confidence level was 95%, and the margin of error was 3,3 percentage points.
In total, respondents had access to eight questions, which addressed experiences with extreme weather events, impacts, perspectives on the future, and behavioral changes motivated by the climate crisis. "The organization of the responses allowed for the creation of different rankings, in which you can check each alternative indicated by the respondents," the company reported.
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