Políticas públicas ambientais no Brasil: mitigação das mudanças climáticas

Since the mid of 1980 an, discussed global climate change in the international sphere. This process resulted in the achievement of the United Nations Conference for Environment and Development UNCED, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, which resulted, among other documents, the Framework Convention of Climate Change - CMC. After five years, there was the establishment of the Kyoto Protocol - PK - which, unlike the Convention, set clearer standards on reducing emissions of gases effect of studying and targets to be achieved by countries which have issued more gas in the past, in the Annex I. The aim of this text is to analyze the ongoing federal public policies regarding mitigation of climate change in the country. To that end, it is based on analysis of official documentation. It analyzes policies before and after the adoption of the CMC in Brazil.

Brazilian territorial dynamics and the inversion of the ""frontier thesis"" in the southern new world

It is a generally acknowledged fact that the dynamics of frontier advance deeply influenced the broad experience of American post colonial societies. The colonization, which started most from the east boundaries of the continent, appropriated and gradually transformed the American territories from east to west. The advance, initially represented by the arrival of the European settlers, went on to become an important trace of that society which did not come to know any physical limits of a restricted territory. However, despite the common identity granted by these territorial dynamics, the later developments and consequences seem to have shaped differently the Northern representatives from their Southern counterparts. In addition, the interpretation of these facts bore in each of these regions different meanings and traits.

Sociedade e gestão do risco: o aquífero Guarani em Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brasil

Contemporary society creates risks of all kinds, changing the meaning of this term. Although it may be associated with natural hazards, it gradually assumes a stronger relation with human actions, especially due to the use of technology. The use of land for agricultural and urban activities creates the possibility of contamination in the recharge area of the Guarani aquifer in the municipality of Ribeirao Preto, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. This city is one of the most important in the state with high economic development. Besides this, it is located in the recharge area of the main reservoir of underground water of South Cone. This paper aims to discuss the management of groundwater use in Ribeirao Preto and reflects the risk that contamination and overexploitation might cause to the main city's water supply.

The city of Maringa, PR. The initial plan and the "urban requalifications"

The city of Maringa, located in the Northwest of Parana State, Brazil, was part of an extensive area colonized by the Companhia de Terras Norte do Parana replaced by the Companhia Melhoramentos Norte do Parana. Starting from a modem project elaborated in midlles of 1940's, Maringa emerged quickly amid the forest. We analyzed the initial plan, the projects for the reformulation of the central area and the tendencies of the public actions in the urban area that turn for real estate promotion and disrespect the popular participation. In its regional scale, Maringa follows the same orientation of cities that are used by the The obsession for the modernity takes to the systematic construction of new spaces that substitute the memory and the urban history in projects that reconduct to the aestheticization and the spectacularization of the urban landscape of Maringa.

Sedimentary Organic Matter in Cores of the Cananeia-Iguape Lagoonal-Estuarine System, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Sedimentary organic matter is a good tool for environmental evaluation where the sediments are deposited. We determined the elemental and C- and N-isotopic compositions of 211 sub-surface sediment samples from 13 cores (ranging from 18 to 46cm), collected in the Cananeia-Iguape estuarine-lagoonal system. The aim of this research is to evaluate the environmental variations of this tropical coastal micro-tidal system over the last decades, through SOM distribution. The studied parameters show differences between the cores located in the northern (sandy-silt sediments) and southern (sand and silty-sand) portions. The whole area presents a mixed organic matter origin signature (local mangrove plants: < -25.6 parts per thousand PDB/ phytoplancton delta(13)C values: -19.4 parts per thousand PDB). The northern cores, which submitted higher sedimentation deposition (1.46cm year(-1)), are more homogenous, presenting lower delta(13)C (< -25.2 parts per thousand PDB) and higher C/N values (in general >14), directly related to the terrestrial input from Ribeira de Iguape River (24,000 km(2) basin). The southern portion presents lower sedimentation rates (0.38cm year(-1)) and is associated to a small river basin (1,340 km(2)), presenting values Of delta(13)C: -25.0 to 23.0 parts per thousand PDB and of C/N ratio: 11 to 15. In general, the elemental contents in the 15 cores may be considered from low to medium (< 2.0% C - < 0.1% N), compared to similar environments. Although a greater marine influence is observed in the southern system portion, the majority of the cores present an elevated increase of continental deposition, most likely related to the strong silting process that the area has been subjected to since the 1850s, when an artificial channel was built linking, directly, the Ribeira River to the estuarine-lagoonal system.

Late Pleistocene and Holocene vegetation changes in northeastern Brazil determined from carbon isotopes and charcoal records in soils

Northeastern Brazil represents a strategic area in terms of Quaternary records of environmental changes in South America due to its distinct semi-arid climate in near equatorial latitudes. In this study, carbon isotope and charcoal distribution records in soils are used to characterize vegetation dynamics, forest fires and their relation to climate change since the Late Pleistocene in the States of Ceara, Piaui and Paraiba, Northeastern Brazil. At the Ceara site, the carbon isotope record showed an enrichment trend from -24%(o) to 19%(o) during the early-mid Holocene, indicating an opening of vegetation and expansion of savanna vegetation (C(4) plants) during this period. A trend toward more depleted delta(13)C values (similar to-32%.) in the late Holocene indicates an expansion of forest vegetation (C(3) plants). A similar trend is observed at the Piaui and Paraiba sites where values of similar to-24%0 are associated with open forest vegetation during the late Pleistocene. In the early-mid Holocene, delta(13)C values of up to -18.0%(o), suggest the expansion of C4 plants. Based on the carbon isotope data, it is postulated that from similar to 18,000 cal yr B.P. to similar to 11,800 cal yr B.P.-similar to 10,000 cal yr B.P. arboreal vegetation was dominant in northeastern Brazil and is associated with humid climates. The savanna expanded from similar to 10,000 cal yr B.P. to similar to 4500-3200 cal yr B.P. due to a less humid/drier climatic phase, also supported by the significant presence of fires (charcoal fragments in the soil). From approximately 3200-2000 cal yr B.P. to the present, carbon isotope records suggest forest expansion and a more humid phase. These results form part of a regional pattern since they are in agreement with paleovegetation records obtained in regions of Maranhao, northeastern Brazil and in the Amazon and Rondonia States, northern Brazil. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quaternary paleoenvironments and relative sea-level changes in Marajo Island (Northern Brazil): Facies, delta(13)C, delta(15)N and C/N

The reconstruction of physical environments of Amazonian areas is of great interest to determine the dynamic evolution of the Amazon drainage basin. However. few studies have emphasized the Quaternary deposits in this region. which is mostly due to the lack of natural exposures imposed by the low topography. This work integrates facies analysis. radiocarbon dating, delta(13)C, delta(15)N, and C/N of an 124 m-thick core from an area located at the mouth of the Amazon River. northeastern Amazonia. The study records deposits up to 50.795 (14)C yr B P. in age. which formed in a variety of depositional environments including fluvial channel, tidal flat, outer estuarine basin to shallow marine. inner estuarine basin, estuarine channel and lagoon. Facies interpretation was significantly improved with the inclusion of delta(13)C, delta(15)N, and C/N analyses of organic matter extracted from the sediments The obtained values conform to a transitional. mostly estuarine paleosetting evolved during successive relative sea-level fluctuations. The results suggest fluvial deposition between 40,950 (+/- 590) and 50.795 (14)C yr B P, with a rise in relative sea level that commenced between 35,567 (+/- 649) and 39,079 (+/- 1114) (14)C yr B P. An overall transgression took place until 29,340 (+/- 340) (14)C yr B P., after which the relative sea level dropped, favoring valley rejuvenation and incision. Following this time up to 10,479 (+/- 34) (14)C yr B.P. a rise in relative sea level filled up the valley with estuarine deposits After 10.479(+/- 34) (14)C yr B.P., the estuary was replaced by a lagoon At the end of the Holocene, the coastline prograided approximately 45 km northward, replaci ng the lagoon by a lake system Despite the influence of eustatic fluctuations. regional tectonics played a significant role to create new space where these Late Pleistocene and Holocene sediments accumulated. (C) 2009 Elsevier B V All rights reserved.

Last glacial maximum (LGM) vegetation changes in the Atlantic Forest, southeastern Brazil

This study was carried out in a continental Atlantic Forest located in the southern region of Sao Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. The aim of the study was to evaluate the vegetation dynamics in similar to 70 km forest ecosystem transect that occurred during the late Pleistocene and Holocene in this region, using the stable carbon isotopes (delta C-13) analysis on soil organic matter (SOM) and the C-14 dating of buried charcoal fragments and the humin fraction of SOM. The isotope data (delta C-13) of SOM in the deeper horizons, indicating the presence of more open vegetation than the present, with a probable mixture of C-3 and C-4 plants, suggesting the presence of a drier climate in the period of similar to 20 ka to similar to 16-14 ka BP. From similar to 16 to 14 ka BP to the present, a significant predominance Of C3 plants was observed, indicating an expansion of the forest, probably associated with the presence of a more humid climate than the previous period. The results indicated the presence of open vegetation during the late glacial, probably associated with a drier period, also observed in other regions of Brazil. The Atlantic Forest ecosystem seems to have developed at least since the early Holocene in Southeastern Brazil. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.

Using economic instruments to address emissions from air transport in the European Union

Air transport has become a vital component of the global economy. However, greenhouse-gas emissions from this sector have a significant impact on global climate, being responsible for over 3.5% of all anthropogenic radiative forcing. Also, the accrued visibility of aircraft emissions greatly affects the public image of the industry. In this context, incentive-based regulations, in the form of price or quantity controls, can be envisaged as alternatives to mitigate these emissions. The use of environmental charges in air transport, and the inclusion of the sector in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), are considered under a range of scenarios. The impacts of these measures on demand are estimated, and results suggest that they are likely to be minimal-mainly due to the high willingness to pay for air transport. In particular, in the EU ETS scenario currently favoured by the EU, demand reductions are less than 2%. This may not be true in the longer run, for short trips, or if future caps become more stringent. Furthermore, given current estimates of the social Cost Of CO2 as well as typical EU ETS prices, supply-side abatement would be too costly to be encouraged by these policies in the short term. The magnitude of aviation CO2 emissions in the EU is estimated, both in physical and monetary terms; the results are consistent with Eurocontrol estimates and, for the EU-25, the total social cost of these emissions represents only 0.03% of the region`s GDP. It is concluded that the use of multisector policies, such as the EU ETS, is unsuitable for curbing emissions from air transport, and that stringent emission charges or an isolated ETS would be better instruments. However, the inclusion of aviation in the EU ETS has advantages under target-oriented post-2012 scenarios, such as policy-costs dilution, certainty in reductions, and flexibility in abatement allocation. This solution is also attractive to airlines, as it would improve their public image but require virtually no reduction of their own emissions, as they would be fully capable of passing on policy costs to their customers.

GEITLERINEMA SPECIES (OSCILLATORIALES, CYANOBACTERIA) REVEALED BY CELLULAR MORPHOLOGY, ULTRASTRUCTURE, AND DNA SEQUENCING

Geitlerinema amphibium (C. Agardh ex Gomont) Anagn. and G. unigranulatum (Rama N. Singh) Komarek et M. T. P. Azevedo are morphologically close species with characteristics frequently overlapping. Ten strains of Geitlerinema (six of G. amphibium and four of G. unigranulatum) were analyzed by DNA sequencing and transmission electronic and optical microscopy. Among the investigated strains, the two species were not separated with respect to cellular dimensions, and cellular width was the most varying characteristic. The number and localization of granules, as well as other ultrastructural characteristics, did not provide a means to discriminate between the two species. The two species were not separated either by geography or environment. These results were further corroborated by the analysis of the cpcB-cpcA intergenic spacer (PC-IGS) sequences. Given the fact that morphology is very uniform, plus the coexistence of these populations in the same habitat, it would be nearly impossible to distinguish between them in nature. On the other hand, two of the analyzed strains were distinct from all others based on the PC-IGS sequences, in spite of their morphological similarity. PC-IGS sequences indicate that these two strains could be a different species of Geitlerinema. Using morphology, cell ultrastructure, and PC-IGS sequences, it is not possible to distinguish G. amphibium and G. unigranulatum. Therefore, they should be treated as one species, G. unigranulatum as a synonym of G. amphibium.

Parametric and nonparametric statistical modelling of crop yield: implications for pricing crop insurance contracts

This article considers alternative methods to calculate the fair premium rate of crop insurance contracts based on county yields. The premium rate was calculated using parametric and nonparametric approaches to estimate the conditional agricultural yield density. These methods were applied to a data set of county yield provided by the Statistical and Geography Brazilian Institute (IBGE), for the period of 1990 through 2002, for soybean, corn and wheat, in the State of Paran. In this article, we propose methodological alternatives to pricing crop insurance contracts resulting in more accurate premium rates in a situation of limited data.

Democracy on the Edge: Limits and Possibilities in the Implementation of an Urban Reform Agenda in Brazil

The 1990s in Brazil were a time of institutional advances in the areas of housing and urban rights following the signing of the new constitution in 1988 that incorporated the principles of the social function of cities and property, recognition of the right to ownership of informal urban squatters and the direct participation of citizens in urban policy decision processes. These propositions are the pillars of the urban reform agenda which, since the creation of the Ministry of Cities by the Lula government, has come under the federal executive branch. This article evaluates the limitations and opportunities involved in implementing this agenda on the basis of two policies proposed by the ministry - the National Cities Council and the campaign for Participatory Master Plans - focusing the analysis on government organization in the area of urban development in its relationship with the political system and the characteristics of Brazilian democracy. Resume Au Bresil, les annees 1990 ont ete marquees par des progres institutionnels en matiere de logement et de droits urbains, dans le sillage de la Constitution de 1988 qui integre les principes d`une fonction sociale de la ville et de la propriete urbaine, ainsi que la reconnaissance du droit a la propriete pour les squatters urbains et la participation directe des citoyens aux processus d`elaboration des politiques urbaines. Ce sont egalement les piliers du programme de reforme urbaine qui releve de l`executif federal depuis la creation d`un ministere des Villes par le gouvernement Lula. Pour evaluer les limites et potentiels lies a la mise en place de ce programme, cet article s`appuie sur deux politiques publiques proposees par le ministere, le Conseil national des villes et la campagne en faveur des Plans directeurs participatifs, en analysant plus particulierement l`organisation gouvernementale en matiere d`urbanisme par rapport au systeme politique et aux caracteristiques de la democratie bresilienne.

Bringing Us Home: Cohousing and the Environmental Possibilities of Reuniting People with Neighbourhoods

Cohousing is a form of intentional community which has made a significant contribution to urban environmentalism by recreating the neighbourhood as the setting for engagement with the world beyond the front door.

Spatial, temporal, and human dimensions of air pollution in Brisbane

Arriving in Brisbane some six years ago, I could not help being impressed by what may be prosaically described as its atmospheric amenity resources. Perhaps this in part was due to my recent experiences in major urban centres in North America, but since that time, that sparkling quality and the blue skies seem to have progressively diminished. Unfortunately, there is also objective evidence available to suggest that this apparent deterioration is not merely the result of habituation of the senses. Air pollution data for the city show trends of increasing concentrations of those very substances that have destroyed the attractiveness of major population centres elsewhere, with climates initially as salubrious. Indeed, present figures indicate that photochemical smog in unacceptably high concentrations is rapidly becoming endemic also over Brisbane. These regrettable developments should come as no surprise. The society at large has not been inclined to respond purposefully to warnings of impending environmental problems, despite the experiences and publicity from overseas and even from other cities within Australia. Nor, up to the present, have certain politicians and government officials displayed stances beyond those necessary for the maintenance of a decorum of concern. At this stage, there still exists the possibility for meaningful government action without the embarrassment of losing political favour with the electorate. To the contrary, there is every chance that such action may be turned to advantage with increased public enlightenment. It would be more than a pity to miss perhaps the final remaining opportunity: Queensland is one of the few remaining places in the world with sufficient resources to permit both rational development and high environmental quality. The choice appears to be one of making a relatively minor investment now for a large financial and social gain the near future, or, permitting Brisbane to degenerate gradually into just another stagnated Los Angeles or Sydney. The present monograph attempts to introduce the problem by reviewing the available research on air quality in the Brisbane area. It also tries to elucidate some seemingly obvious, but so far unapplied management approaches. By necessity, such a broad treatment needs to make inroads into extensive ranges of subject areas, including political and legal practices to public perceptions, scientific measurement and statistical analysis to dynamics of air flow. Clearly, it does not pretend to be definitive in any of these fields, but it does try to emphasize those adjustable facets of the human use system of natural resources, too often neglected in favour of air pollution control technology. The crossing of disciplinary boundaries, however, needs no apology: air quality problems are ubiquitous, touching upon space, time and human interaction.

(FAB12_2_019) National identity at Arakawa & Gins’ Site of Reversible Destiny—Yoro, Japan

This paper examines the manipulation of forms of the traditional Japanese stroll garden at Site of Reversible Destiny, a tourist park designed by the New Yorkbased collaborators Shusaku Arakawa and Madeline Gins. Landscape and its representations are central to the construction of national identity in Japan since the cultural distinctiveness of the Japanese people has been argued to rest on their unique relationship to nature and the country’s idiosyncratic geography. The stroll garden of the larger estates and palaces of the Edo period (1615–1867) developed out of earlier temple gardens and most public parks in contemporary Japan are in the grounds of these historic sites or reproduce their forms.