Erosion Crisis: Coastal Brazil's Struggle Against Rising Seas

The advancing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, driven higher by climate change, have devastated coastal Brazilian communities. The erosion has destroyed numerous houses, including Sonia Ferreira's home in Atafona. Rising sea levels have caused severe biodiversity loss along the Amazon River and damaged popular beaches like Ponta Negra. Experts predict further inland ocean advancement, raising questions about urban planning and environmental adaptation.

Coastal Brazilian communities face mounting devastation as the Atlantic Ocean's advancing waves, driven higher by climate change, continue to batter the shoreline. In Atafona, north of Rio de Janeiro, 500 houses have been lost to erosion, including Sonia Ferreira's two-story house, which was destroyed by relentless waves in 2022.

The phenomenon is not isolated to Atafona. The beach in Ponta Negra has lost 15 meters of sand in two decades, while the Amazon River's mouth has seen salt water encroach upstream, threatening biodiversity and local fishing communities. According to the United Nations, the sea level around Atafona has risen by 13 cm in the past 30 years, with more drastic rises predicted.

Marine geographer Eduardo Bulhoes and oceanographer Ronaldo Christofoletti stress the need for better urban planning and environmental adaptation. "It is shocking to see houses being destroyed in Atafona. But you were not supposed to build houses there," Christofoletti said, advocating for natural ecosystems to combat the rising tides.

(With inputs from agencies.)