Drought in Brazil : Proactive Management and Policy

This book presents a topic of increasing interest globally in light of climate change and public policy actions, particularly related to a climate extreme such as drought, which impacts many sectors of society. The recent drought in Brazil has been noteworthy and gained global attention, so there is an appeal to the broader community to learn from the process and lessons learned in Brazil. A broad range of relevant topics from different disciplinary perspectives is very useful and of interest to many readers. It will be a valuable addition to the international discussion about drought management and climate variability.

Drought is a slow-onset natural hazard that is often referred to as a creeping phenomenon. The challenge of monitoring drought’s onset and evolution, and identifying its termination or end is one that scientists, natural resource managers, and decision makers have been struggling with for decades. However, drought management must be aimed at reducing the risks of future drought events on economies, the environment, and the social fabric of regions.

As with many countries, droughts are often managed as a crisis in Brazil, rather than events for which officials and communities proactively prepare. Although droughts are not new to Brazil, the recent spate of droughts in the poverty stricken semi-arid Northeast and the industrial hub of São Paulo in the Southeast has forced the country to think more seriously about finally changing its drought policies and management approaches.

The book is told through the perspectives of the ministers and secretaries, state policy and technical officials, civil society organizations, and development practitioners that helped to facilitate the shift in paradigm in Brazil from crisis management and towards proactive management of droughts. It is written in a style that is appealing to both technical and non-technical audiences, and aims to provide a framework and lessons for other countries to consider when embarking upon similar efforts to improve their own drought policy and management systems.