Papers by Patricia Mesquita
Climate change has been predicted to impact many vulnerable communities in rural regions of devel... more Climate change has been predicted to impact many vulnerable communities in rural regions of developing countries. Meanwhile, social protection programs have been discussed as strategies not only to address the current socioeconomic issues, but also to deal with vulnerabilities related to the capacity of people to cope with climate change. However, limited information remains available on the impacts of those social protection programs to beneficiaries, precluding further insights over the totality of effects due to program participation. In addition, the role of current environmental shocks and climate change over program functioning is far from being understood. Herein we investigate the perceived impacts, according to institutional actors, of a Brazilian food-based safety net program (Food Acquisition Program - PAA) on participating farmers, and the impacts of an extended drought on program functioning. Projections of changes in climate according to global and regionalized models provided in the literature were also used to discuss possible impacts on crops procured by the PAA. Overall, based on the interviews, PAA was perceived as positive with a diversity of effects at farm, household and community levels, while the extreme drought in 2012 impacted the program through the decreased availability of produce and even disruption of services. Changes in climate in the Northeast region will impact key crops procured by the program with possible consequences over all groups of beneficiaries if business stays as usual, requiring ex-ante adaptation over the various levels of program functioning.
Com foco nos agricultores familiares do Semiárido nordestino – um dos segmentos da população bras... more Com foco nos agricultores familiares do Semiárido nordestino – um dos segmentos da população brasileira mais vulnerável às mudanças e às variabilidades climáticas – este artigo apresenta o processo de elaboração e de divulgação de uma cartilha educativa, criada de maneira colaborativa, para compartilhar as percepções desses agricultores sobre os riscos climáticos. A cartilha também visou divulgar opções de estratégias adaptativas desenvolvidas pelos próprios atores locais. Uma equipe de pesquisa interdisciplinar, integrante da sub-rede Mudanças Climáticas e Desenvolvimento Regional (MCDR/Rede CLIMA), conduziu 1.140 entrevistas semies- truturadas em quatro áreas do Semiárido brasileiro: Seridó Potiguar-RN, Gilbués-PI, Juazeiro-BA e Chapada do Araripe-CE. Os questionários aplicados levantaram, entre outros, dados sobre as percepções dos agricultores familiares a respeito das mudanças do clima, seus valores culturais e suas expectativas a respeito do futuro dos seus modos de vida rurais. A partir dessas informações, criou-se uma cartilha educativa para restituir os dados coletados. Privilegiando o diálogo e a troca de saberes ou, nas palavras de Habermas, “a negociação da de nição de situação”, o instrumento de comunicação escolhido partiu do pressuposto de que as comunidades tendem a con ar em novas informações quando estas possuem, na sua percepção, relevância, credibilidade e legitimidade. Os resultados gerais da experiência demonstraram que possíveis barreiras sociais e culturais (tais como a incompreensão inicial entre cientistas e usuários do conhecimento) podem ser superadas por meio de ações colaborativas entre a academia, os tomadores de decisão e os usuários nais. A elaboração da cartilha encorajou o trabalho horizontal para identificar riscos climáticos e possíveis medidas de adaptação.
Climate change and variability are among the main threats to socio-ecological sustainability in m... more Climate change and variability are among the main threats to socio-ecological sustainability in many semi-arid regions of the world and are of special concern to resource-poor family farmers. In the Brazilian semi-arid region, high levels of social vulnerability in addition to predicted climate events can adversely affect subsistence crops and other cultivated areas with serious consequences for rural food security. An extreme drought that started in 2010 left 174 (of 184) municipalities in the northeastern state of Ceará, Brazil, in a state of emergency in 2012. During the period of drought, we studied household production characteristics, sources of water for domestic consumption, perception of temperature change and the relationship of those variables with perceived food security. Food security was associated with the presence of piped water and with the diversity of livestock owned by the household. In addition to the importance of observing the role of those variables in public policies related to food security and regional development in the semi-arid region of Brazil, we also highlight the need of understanding the local context where those policies are implemented and the types of local adaptations taking place during periods of shock, which will be recurrent in a scenario of climate change.
Purpose – Social protection (SP) and climate change adaptation (CCA) are two subjects highly
deba... more Purpose – Social protection (SP) and climate change adaptation (CCA) are two subjects highly
debated when discussing social vulnerabilities and food insecurity in rural areas of developing
countries. Both fields address matters related to socioeconomic vulnerabilities and thus present
opportunities for integration. However, many studies have stated the lack of interaction within the
study areas. When dealing with CCA and SP in Brazil, the two offer an opportunity for integration
since some SP programmes (such as food-based safety nets) can both affect adaptation and be
impacted by expected changes in climate. Impacts from CC are projected to be extreme in the Brazilian
semi-arid Northeast, a region where social programmes of assistance and aid are historically crucial
during periods of drought. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to address the interaction of CCA and SP
in a conceptual level on policies and programmes in Brazil.
Design/methodology/approach – A desk review of government documents (policies, plans, decrees)
related to food security, food-based programmes and CC.
Findings – Based on the results the authors highlight the limited integration between CC and SP in
Brazil and the potential for interaction in many of the programmes already in place.
Originality/value – The authors attribute findings to the segmented governmental structure and the
weak interaction between sectors, and the only recent discussion of linkages between CC and poverty,
development and food insecurity. Discussion on the challenges and benefits of this interaction are
provided in a context of CC in Brazil, still not very debated in the academic literature.
Oecologia Brasiliensis, 2007
PBMC, 2013: Contribuição do Grupo de Trabalho 2 ao Primeiro Relatório de Avaliação Nacional do Pa... more PBMC, 2013: Contribuição do Grupo de Trabalho 2 ao Primeiro Relatório de Avaliação Nacional do Painel Brasileiro de Mudanças Climáticas. Sumário Executivo do GT2.
PBMC, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
28 p.
Oecologia Australis, 2007
Freshwater Biology, 2010
1. Global warming is predicted to cause changes in permafrost cover and stability in the Arctic. ... more 1. Global warming is predicted to cause changes in permafrost cover and stability in the Arctic. Zones of high ion concentration in regions of ice-rich permafrost are a reservoir of chemicals that can potentially be transferred to fresh waters during thawing. Consequently, input of enriched runoff from the thaw and sediment and vegetation from the landscape could alter lakes by affecting their geochemistry and biological production.2. Three undisturbed lakes and five lakes disturbed by retrogressive permafrost thaw slumps were sampled during late summer of 2006 to assess the potential effects of thermokarst shoreline slumping on water and sediment chemistry, the underwater light regime, and benthic macrophyte biomass and community structure.3. Undisturbed lakes had sediments rich in organic material and selected micronutrients, while disturbed lakes had sediments richer in calcium, magnesium and strontium, greater transparency of the water column, and a well-developed submerged macrophyte community.4. It is postulated that enriched runoff chemistry may alter nutrient availability at the sediment–water interface and also the degradation of organic material, thus affecting lake transparency and submerged macrophytes. The results suggest that retrogressive permafrost slumping can significantly affect food webs in arctic tundra lakes through an increase in macrophyte biomass and development of a more complex benthic habitat.
Articles in English by Patricia Mesquita
Desenvolvimento e Meio Ambiente, 2019
field? This was the challenge that a project faced concerning the climate change perceptions of s... more field? This was the challenge that a project faced concerning the climate change perceptions of smallholder farmers contradictory knowledge, conflicting interests, and diverging epistemologies. This case study-which focused on the internal debate about climatic change apparent "misperceptions" by family farmers-confirmed that there is no blueprint for interdisciplinary climate change research projects, as well as the clear need for project-specific and integration included early involvement of different groups (such as researchers, decision-makers, and local actors and stakeholders) as essential for finding common objectives and priorities. The experience of Rede CLIMA confirmed that the barriers to successful climate change adaptation (such as the mutual incomprehension or distrust users, facilitated horizontal work and the identification of climate-related risks among family farmers.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12571-017-0711-1
Abstract
Climate change has been p... more https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12571-017-0711-1
Abstract
Climate change has been predicted to impact many vulnerable communities in rural regions of developing countries. Meanwhile, social protection programs have been discussed as strategies not only to address the current socioeconomic issues, but also to deal with vulnerabilities related to the capacity of people to cope with climate change. However, limited information remains available on the impacts of those social protection programs to beneficiaries, precluding further insights over the totality of effects due to program participation. In addition, the role of current environmental shocks and climate change over program functioning is far from being understood. Herein we investigate the perceived impacts, according to institutional actors, of a Brazilian food-based safety net program (Food Acquisition Program - PAA) on participating farmers, and the impacts of an extended drought on program functioning. Projections of changes in climate according to global and regionalized models provided in the literature were also used to discuss possible impacts on crops procured by the PAA. Overall, based on the interviews, PAA was perceived as positive with a diversity of effects at farm, household and community levels, while the extreme drought in 2012 impacted the program through the decreased availability of produce and even disruption of services. Changes in climate in the Northeast region will impact key crops procured by the program with possible consequences over all groups of beneficiaries if business stays as usual, requiring ex-ante adaptation over the various levels of program functioning.
Keywords
Climate change, Social protection, Food security, Semi-arid regions, Brazil
Abstract: Climate change and variability are among the main threats to socio-ecological sustainab... more Abstract: Climate change and variability are among the main threats to socio-ecological sustainability in many semi-arid regions. High levels of social vulnerability in the northeast of Brazil make this region one of the most susceptible to the impacts of climate change in the country. Within the region, the state of Ceará is one of the most vulnerable to the foreseen climatic impacts (PBMC, 2013). The year 2012 was marked by a long and severe drought that affected millions of people, primarily due to the significant decrease in agricultural production yields and the death of cattle.
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Papers by Patricia Mesquita
debated when discussing social vulnerabilities and food insecurity in rural areas of developing
countries. Both fields address matters related to socioeconomic vulnerabilities and thus present
opportunities for integration. However, many studies have stated the lack of interaction within the
study areas. When dealing with CCA and SP in Brazil, the two offer an opportunity for integration
since some SP programmes (such as food-based safety nets) can both affect adaptation and be
impacted by expected changes in climate. Impacts from CC are projected to be extreme in the Brazilian
semi-arid Northeast, a region where social programmes of assistance and aid are historically crucial
during periods of drought. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to address the interaction of CCA and SP
in a conceptual level on policies and programmes in Brazil.
Design/methodology/approach – A desk review of government documents (policies, plans, decrees)
related to food security, food-based programmes and CC.
Findings – Based on the results the authors highlight the limited integration between CC and SP in
Brazil and the potential for interaction in many of the programmes already in place.
Originality/value – The authors attribute findings to the segmented governmental structure and the
weak interaction between sectors, and the only recent discussion of linkages between CC and poverty,
development and food insecurity. Discussion on the challenges and benefits of this interaction are
provided in a context of CC in Brazil, still not very debated in the academic literature.
PBMC, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
28 p.
Articles in English by Patricia Mesquita
Abstract
Climate change has been predicted to impact many vulnerable communities in rural regions of developing countries. Meanwhile, social protection programs have been discussed as strategies not only to address the current socioeconomic issues, but also to deal with vulnerabilities related to the capacity of people to cope with climate change. However, limited information remains available on the impacts of those social protection programs to beneficiaries, precluding further insights over the totality of effects due to program participation. In addition, the role of current environmental shocks and climate change over program functioning is far from being understood. Herein we investigate the perceived impacts, according to institutional actors, of a Brazilian food-based safety net program (Food Acquisition Program - PAA) on participating farmers, and the impacts of an extended drought on program functioning. Projections of changes in climate according to global and regionalized models provided in the literature were also used to discuss possible impacts on crops procured by the PAA. Overall, based on the interviews, PAA was perceived as positive with a diversity of effects at farm, household and community levels, while the extreme drought in 2012 impacted the program through the decreased availability of produce and even disruption of services. Changes in climate in the Northeast region will impact key crops procured by the program with possible consequences over all groups of beneficiaries if business stays as usual, requiring ex-ante adaptation over the various levels of program functioning.
Keywords
Climate change, Social protection, Food security, Semi-arid regions, Brazil
Books by Patricia Mesquita
debated when discussing social vulnerabilities and food insecurity in rural areas of developing
countries. Both fields address matters related to socioeconomic vulnerabilities and thus present
opportunities for integration. However, many studies have stated the lack of interaction within the
study areas. When dealing with CCA and SP in Brazil, the two offer an opportunity for integration
since some SP programmes (such as food-based safety nets) can both affect adaptation and be
impacted by expected changes in climate. Impacts from CC are projected to be extreme in the Brazilian
semi-arid Northeast, a region where social programmes of assistance and aid are historically crucial
during periods of drought. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to address the interaction of CCA and SP
in a conceptual level on policies and programmes in Brazil.
Design/methodology/approach – A desk review of government documents (policies, plans, decrees)
related to food security, food-based programmes and CC.
Findings – Based on the results the authors highlight the limited integration between CC and SP in
Brazil and the potential for interaction in many of the programmes already in place.
Originality/value – The authors attribute findings to the segmented governmental structure and the
weak interaction between sectors, and the only recent discussion of linkages between CC and poverty,
development and food insecurity. Discussion on the challenges and benefits of this interaction are
provided in a context of CC in Brazil, still not very debated in the academic literature.
PBMC, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
28 p.
Abstract
Climate change has been predicted to impact many vulnerable communities in rural regions of developing countries. Meanwhile, social protection programs have been discussed as strategies not only to address the current socioeconomic issues, but also to deal with vulnerabilities related to the capacity of people to cope with climate change. However, limited information remains available on the impacts of those social protection programs to beneficiaries, precluding further insights over the totality of effects due to program participation. In addition, the role of current environmental shocks and climate change over program functioning is far from being understood. Herein we investigate the perceived impacts, according to institutional actors, of a Brazilian food-based safety net program (Food Acquisition Program - PAA) on participating farmers, and the impacts of an extended drought on program functioning. Projections of changes in climate according to global and regionalized models provided in the literature were also used to discuss possible impacts on crops procured by the PAA. Overall, based on the interviews, PAA was perceived as positive with a diversity of effects at farm, household and community levels, while the extreme drought in 2012 impacted the program through the decreased availability of produce and even disruption of services. Changes in climate in the Northeast region will impact key crops procured by the program with possible consequences over all groups of beneficiaries if business stays as usual, requiring ex-ante adaptation over the various levels of program functioning.
Keywords
Climate change, Social protection, Food security, Semi-arid regions, Brazil
RESUMO:
O artigo discute os desafios das políticas públicas em promover a governança dos recursos naturais na região do Submédio rio São Francisco, em particular as interações por vezes conflituosas entre segurança hídrica, alimentar, energética, e socioambiental. A evolução dos processos de ocupação do território e de implementação de políticas públicas será apresentada numa primeira seção, com foco nos projetos energéticos e suas interações com a utilização de recursos hídricos e com questões produtivas e agrárias. A segunda seção apresenta os dados primários de investimento público na região, cujo alvo tem sido os projetos eólicos, e as interações interinstitucionais para a execução destes recursos. A terceira seção discute os riscos apresentados pelos projetos eólicos, no sentido de reproduzir os padrões desiguais de investimentos no território e aumentar a vulnerabilidade socioambiental, apesar do potencial destes projetos em promover a mitigação das mudanças climáticas.
PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Abordagem Nexus; Adaptação às Mudanças Climáticas; Brasil;
Semi-árido; Integração de Políticas Públicas.
THE CHALLENGE OF INTEGRATING PUBLIC POLICIES FOR CLIMATE ADAPTATION IN THE BRAZILIAN SEMI-ARID REGION
ABSTRACT: The article discusses the challenges of public policy in promoting the governance of natural resources in the region of the São Francisco Sub-medium river, in particular the conflicting interactions between water, food, energy, and socioenvironmental security. The land use processes and the implementation of public policies are presented in a first section, focusing on energy projects and their interactions with
the use of water resources and with productive and agrarian issues. The second section presents primary data on public investment in the region, which has been targeted at wind projects, and the inter-institutional interactions for implementing these resources. The third section discusses the risks presented by wind projects, in order to reproduce unequal investment patterns in the territory and increase socio-environmental vulnerability, despite the potential of these projects to promote the mitigation of climate
change
KEYWORDS: Nexus Approach; Adaptation to Climate Change; Brazil; Semi-arid; Integration of Public Policies
A cidade de Brasília, localizada em um bioma em crescente processo de degradação, além de contribuir com a emissão de gases de efeito estufa, apresenta visíveis modificações ambientais devido às mudanças climáticas (MC). Nesse contexto, o artigo teve o objetivo de analisar a percepção de estudantes de graduação de diferentes áreas da Universidade de Brasília sobre as mudanças climáticas, de modo a se discutir a importância do ensino superior sobre as necessárias mudanças comportamentais e sociais em prol do meio ambiente. A aplicação de questionários (N=1526), estruturados em quatro conjuntos de questões (concepção sobre MC; conhecimentos climáticos; a UnB e a MC; e visões pessoais), permitiu a observação de que alunos de cursos multidisciplinares apresentaram maior conhecimento sobre a
temática do clima, bem como sobre as causas antropogênicas das mudanças climáticas. A interdisciplinaridade é então discutida como um método de suma importância para uma melhor percepção dos estudantes sobre as mudanças ocorridas no ambiente e no clima, podendo impulsionar estratégias de mitigação e adaptação, e a consideração sobre o clima em contextos dentro e fora da universidade.
Palavras-Chave: Mudanças Climáticas; Percepção; Universidade; Interdisciplinaridade
grande importância na busca de soluções aos novos enfrentamentos socioambientais. Logo, com o objetivo de compreender as percepções sobre as possíveis mudanças do clima e seus impactos no setor alimentar, foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa com estudantes de graduação de diversas áreas de estudo na Universidade de Brasília (N=1526). Como resultados, além da percepção de mudanças climáticas e seus impactos no meio urbano, foram observadas percepções de impactos no setor de alimentos. São discutidos como os padrões encontrados podem indicar uma abertura para a educação alimentar, visando mudanças comportamentais em favor do menor desperdício de alimentos e de escolhas alimentares, visando uma dieta sustentável com efeitos positivos individuas para a coletividade e o meio ambiente.
Palavras-chave: mudanças climáticas; percepção; hábitos alimentares; desperdício; educação;
ABSTRACT: Urban areas are responsible for environmental problems at the global scale and are also vulnerable to local
and global environmental impacts. In addition to the impacts of deficient urban planning on the environment, climate change will have environmental, socioeconomic and cultural impacts in urban areas. In the food sector, climate change will possibly cause impacts in the whole food chain, altering dietary practices and food security. On the other hand, dietary behavior patterns should also be taken into consideration, since those have an important role in the emission of greenhouse gases. From this perspective, climate and food system perceptions, as possible drivers for behavioral changes, are of great importance in the search of solutions
for contemporary socioeconomic issues. Therefore, an investigation with graduate students (N=1526) from various study areas of the University of Brasilia, Brazil, was developed, aiming to understand the perceptions
regarding climate change and the food sector. The researchers found that, in addition to the perception of climate change and the impacts in urban areas, various impacts are perceived on the food sector. The observed patters are discussed as a means to indicate a role for dietary education in behavioral changes towards food usage and choices more compatible to a sustainable diet, with positive impact for the environment, individuals and communities.
Keywords: climate change; perception; dietary behavior; food waste; education;