Pollution and climate change worsen the crisis facing Brazilian rivers, warns expert.

Beatriz Bevilaqua, 247 -  Brazilian rivers are facing an alarming crisis, marked by severe droughts, devastating floods, and increased pollution, exacerbated by climate change. In this episode of "Sustainable Brazil," on TV 247, we interview Gustavo Veranese, geographer, educator, and environmentalist. He coordinates water quality monitoring groups in the Upper Tietê River basin and leads the Observing the Rivers Program at SOS Mata Atlântica. 

"No river is dirty; we pollute the rivers," emphasizes the expert. If the rivers are contaminated, that is human responsibility. According to Gustavo, it is necessary to work more harmoniously with the environment, considering rivers as valuable resources for cities, such as fishing and recreation, through the creation of linear parks. 

“A linear park is a space along a river that offers areas for recreational and sporting activities, promoting environmental connection and creating ecological corridors. These parks help absorb rainwater and filter water in rivers, bringing benefits to everyone,” he explains.

However, the construction of avenues on the banks or over rivers has caused problems. With more intense rainfall, resulting from climate change, the rivers overflow, and the problems worsen. "The solutions proposed by the public authorities are often ineffective, and the situation always seems to be a surprise, with excuses that become repetitive," warns Gustavo. 

"Observing the Rivers" is a project that brings communities together and mobilizes them to monitor the water quality of rivers, streams, and other water bodies in the areas where they live. Water monitoring is carried out using a methodology developed by SOS Mata Atlântica, which utilizes an analysis kit and perception indicators to determine the Water Quality Index (WQI). 

“The volunteer groups collect and measure water quality once a month and make the results available in an online database. The indicators collected by all monitoring groups are compiled into annual technical reports that form a picture of the water quality of the rivers in the 17 states of the Atlantic Forest,” explains Gustavo.

Today we know that the amount of plastic in the environment is increasing, especially in the ocean. But how does this waste reach the sea? It comes from the continent, and rivers serve as transport routes for these materials. We find plastic in practically every place on the planet, including in our bodies. Microplastics have already been detected in human tissues and organs, which is extremely worrying.

More than two thousand volunteers participate in the river water quality monitoring project. “During frequent conversations with these volunteers, a common problem identified from north to south of the country was the presence of plastics,” said Gustavo. Faced with this scenario, SOS Mata Atlântica launched the Rio Sem Plástico (Rio Without Plastic) campaign, with the objective of diagnosing the amount of plastic reaching the rivers. 

“We are conducting an initial assessment of the presence of plastics in the Tietê River, and now we are considering taking further steps to better understand the situation, including larger and smaller plastics, and other components that are often invisible or difficult to quantify. This mobilization of society in favor of the rivers leads us to consider new activities,” he said.

As part of SOS Mata Atlântica's work, all actions aim at political advocacy, seeking to influence decisions at the municipal, state, and federal levels. "Our goal is to propose and improve laws, as well as prevent the creation of legislation that is harmful to the environment. The greatest responsibility in this context lies with the public authorities, who must implement reverse logistics for waste," he assessed.

According to the expert, the responsibility for waste is often placed solely on the shoulders of citizens. We also need to hold the companies that produce and market packaging accountable. “They profit from the use of their packaging, but rarely take responsibility for its final disposal. Thus, the responsibility falls on the population, who end up having to deal with inadequate disposal. In the end, it is the citizens who pay the price,” points out Gustavo. 

Watch the interview: