Brazil: Dozens Killed in São Paulo Flooding and Landslides
The Facts
On Saturday, officials said 36 people had been killed in the São Paulo state by flooding and landslides caused by significant rainfall. The death toll is expected to rise.
The state government reported more than 23.6 in. (60cm) of rain inundated the area in one day. The rainfall reached one of the highest amounts ever recorded in the country for that short amount of time. Conditions at Latin America's busiest port in Santos were equally as brutal with wind reports topping 34mph (55km/h) and wave heights exceeding 1 meter.
The Spin
Narrative A
While science has not allowed us to quantify the role of climate change in Brazil's flooding events, we can with certainty say that human-caused climate change is responsible. These catastrophic events are in alignment with climate prediction models and future projections. Based on forecasts, these devastating events will not only continue, but as greenhouse emissions and warming increase, these events will increase as well.
Narrative B
World politicians have been quick to blame climate change for damage to infrastructure and the all-around disruption to daily lives. What they've failed to mention is that climate change wouldn't be that big of a deal if it weren't for their failed policies and poor planning. Without proper building and zoning policies and significant investments in infrastructure, governments have left people vulnerable to flooding and other infrastructure-related disasters. Blaming climate change doesn't fix the problems but makes way for absolving policymakers of their responsibility for the unnecessary loss of lives and property.