Rising Waters, Rising Risks
The water mark on Naira Santa Rita’s wall told the story before she could find the words for it. High and brown, like a scar, it was the line left by the floodwater on 15 February 2022 – the night Petrópolis drowned. Within minutes, the mountain city she called home became a war zone. From her window, she watched bodies float past in the streets below. More than 230 people died that night, in what was until then Brazil’s worst climate disaster.
Three years on, and the memory of that fateful night still lingers in Petrópolis. But it’s not just the trauma that remains – it’s also the stark reality that women like Naira are disproportionately affected by extreme weather events. According to a recent study, women make up 70% of the victims in Brazil’s deadliest floods, including the one that ravaged Petrópolis. This phenomenon is not unique to Brazil; across the world, women are consistently the first to die when disaster strikes. The reasons are complex and multifaceted, but one thing is clear: climate change is exacerbating the existing vulnerabilities of marginalized communities, particularly women.
A Perfect Storm of Disasters
The Brazilian floods are just one example of the devastating impact of climate change on vulnerable regions. In the past three years alone, Brazil has witnessed three major disasters – the 2022 floods, a 2023 heatwave, and a 2024 drought. These events are not isolated incidents; they are part of a broader pattern of climate-related disasters that are becoming increasingly frequent and intense. According to the United Nations, the number of climate-related disasters has risen by 50% since the 1980s, with millions displaced and affected worldwide.
The economic costs of these disasters are staggering. In Brazil alone, the 2022 floods caused an estimated $2 billion in damages, while the 2023 heatwave led to a 30% decline in agricultural production. The human toll, however, is far more devastating. In Petrópolis, the floodwaters not only took lives but also left families without access to basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. For women like Naira, the aftermath of the disaster was particularly challenging. “I lost my home, my livelihood, and my sense of security,” she recalls. “But what’s worse is that I lost my loved ones – my mother, my sister, and my brother. They were all swept away by the floodwaters.”
A History of Inequity
The disproportionate impact of climate-related disasters on women is not a new phenomenon. Historically, women have been more vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to their limited access to resources, education, and economic opportunities. In many communities, women are also responsible for managing household resources, including water, food, and energy. When these resources are disrupted by climate-related disasters, women are often the first to suffer.
In the case of Brazil, the legacy of colonialism and slavery has contributed to the existing inequities faced by women. The country’s indigenous and Afro-Brazilian communities have long been marginalized and excluded from decision-making processes that affect their lives and livelihoods. Climate change has simply amplified these existing inequalities, making it even more challenging for women to adapt and recover from disasters.
A Call to Action
The Brazilian floods and other climate-related disasters serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate action. Governments, international organizations, and civil society must come together to address the root causes of climate change and its disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities. This includes investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, providing support for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, and promoting gender-sensitive policies that address the needs of women and other marginalized groups.
In Petrópolis, the city is slowly rebuilding after the 2022 floods. Naira’s home has been rebuilt, but the trauma still lingers. “I want to tell my story so that others won’t suffer like I did,” she says. “I want to make sure that women are heard and seen in the midst of climate disasters. We are not just victims; we are also leaders, activists, and survivors.”
A Future of Uncertainty
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, one thing is clear: the stakes are higher than ever before. The Brazilian floods and other disasters are a wake-up call for governments, international organizations, and civil society to take immediate action. The future is uncertain, and the consequences of inaction will be devastating. But there is also hope – hope that comes from the resilience of communities like Petrópolis, where women like Naira are leading the charge towards a more just and equitable future.
As the international community prepares for the upcoming climate summit, one question looms large: will we learn from the lessons of the past and take bold action to address the climate crisis? The answer will have far-reaching consequences for communities like Petrópolis, where women are bearing the brunt of climate-related disasters. The clock is ticking, and the world is watching.