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FAPESP and the Sustainable Development Goals

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SDG 13 Climate Action

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SDG 13 Climate Action

A research project is evaluating the environmental impact of sugar-alcohol production in São Paulo
SDG 13
A research project is evaluating the environmental impact of sugar-alcohol production in São Paulo

A group of scientists from UNESP wants to investigate why aerosol and ozone particle concentrations in São Paulo did not decrease after the state prohibited burnings; the subjected was highlighted at FAPESP Week France.


Black carbon found in the Amazon River reveals recent forest burnings
SDG 13
Black carbon found in the Amazon River reveals recent forest burnings

International study quantified and characterized charcoal and soot produced by incomplete burning of trees and transported by river to the Atlantic.


Study shows how climate change may affect environmental conservation areas
SDG 13
Study shows how climate change may affect environmental conservation areas

Researchers classify 258 protected areas in Brazil as “moderately vulnerable” and 17 as “highly vulnerable”. Areas at greatest risk are in the Amazon, Atlantic Rainforest and Cerrado biomes.


Reforesting is a good idea, but it is necessary to know where and how
SDG 13
Reforesting is a good idea, but it is necessary to know where and how

An international group of ecologists contests an article published in Science, which among other controversial statements proposed “reforestation” of the Cerrado, Brazil’s savanna biome.


Protecting native vegetation on rural properties yields Brazil USD 1.5 trillion per year
SDG 13
Protecting native vegetation on rural properties yields Brazil USD 1.5 trillion per year

Paper endorsed by 407 scientists in Brazil estimates the value of ecosystem services linked to nature conservation, such as pollination, pest control and water security.


Native vegetation restoration projects in Brazil can total 12 million hectares by 2030
SDG 13
Native vegetation restoration projects in Brazil can total 12 million hectares by 2030

Reports launched by the Brazilian Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services estimates that forest restoration on this scale would sequester 1.39 million tons of CO2 and increase biodiversity conservation by 200% without adverse impacts on agriculture.


More than 70 million Brazilians may face water shortages by 2035
SDG 6, SDG 13
More than 70 million Brazilians may face water shortages by 2035

Water shortages cause economic losses for industry and agriculture, among other sectors, as well as damage human health, warns a report issued by the Brazilian Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.


Researchers help tracing “river of smoke” that blackened the day in São Paulo
SDG 13
Researchers help tracing “river of smoke” that blackened the day in São Paulo

Particles originated in forest fires in the Center-West and North of Brazil interacted with clouds borne by the cold front coming from the south, causing sky and rain to turn to a dark-grey hue.


New satellite sensor will help gauge the influence of atmospheric aerosols on cloud formation
SDG 3, SDG 13
New satellite sensor will help gauge the influence of atmospheric aerosols on cloud formation

Vanderlei Martins, a professor at the University of Maryland and former FAPESP grantee, is responsible for the device, developed in partnership with NASA. Martins spoke about the project to the São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Atmospheric Aerosols, which was funded by FAPESP.


African forest elephant helps increase biomass and carbon storage
SDG 13, SDG 15
African forest elephant helps increase biomass and carbon storage

An international study with key contributions from Brazilian researchers shows that an endangered species, famed as a “forest gardener,” influences African forest composition in terms of tree species and increases the aboveground biomass over the long term.


Brazilian Soy Moratorium must be extended to the Cerrado biome, researchers insist
SDG 13
Brazilian Soy Moratorium must be extended to the Cerrado biome, researchers insist

Extension of the moratorium to the Brazilian savanna would prevent the loss of 3.6 million hectares of native vegetation that risk being converted into soybean plantations by 2050, according to a study published in Science Advances.


Physical activity in adolescence and later life reduces the risk of colorectal adenoma by 39%
SDG 13
Physical activity in adolescence and later life reduces the risk of colorectal adenoma by 39%

A study analyzing data from almost 30,000 nurses shows that the effects of physical activity throughout life are cumulative. Collaboration between Brazilian and US scientists demonstrates the importance of exercise before adulthood.


Scenarios and modeling to estimate the impact of public policy on biodiversity
SDG 13, SDG 16
Scenarios and modeling to estimate the impact of public policy on biodiversity

Young researchers were trained in environmental planning and protection at a School of Advanced Science supported by FAPESP.


Climate change could affect symbiotic relationships between microorganisms and trees
SDG 13
Climate change could affect symbiotic relationships between microorganisms and trees

An international research consortium mapped the global distribution of tree-root symbioses with fungi and bacteria that are vital to forest ecosystems. The study was featured on the cover of Nature.


Pollution from Manaus results in up to 400% higher aerosol formation due to the Amazon Rainforest
SDG 13
Pollution from Manaus results in up to 400% higher aerosol formation due to the Amazon Rainforest

This phenomenon affects cloud production and rainfall, with consequences for the local and global climate, which researchers have warned about in the study published in Nature Communications.


Study could improve fire monitoring in Brazilian savanna
SDG 13
Study could improve fire monitoring in Brazilian savanna

With the aim of enhancing the quality of Brazilian space research output, scientists investigated the accuracy of different satellite data collections.


Species extinction is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, warns IPBES report
SDG 13, SDG 14, SDG 15
Species extinction is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, warns IPBES report

The decline in biodiversity is a direct result of human activity and represents a grave threat to human well-being according to the first global assessment of the state of nature.


Air pollution affects tree growth in São Paulo
SDG 13
Air pollution affects tree growth in São Paulo

Researchers in Brazil find that high levels of heavy metals and particulate matter suspended in the atmosphere restrict the growth of tipuana trees, which are ubiquitous in São Paulo, the largest Brazilian city.


Intensive silviculture accelerates Atlantic Rainforest biodiversity regeneration
SDG 13
Intensive silviculture accelerates Atlantic Rainforest biodiversity regeneration

The study shows the advantages of herbicide spraying and intensive fertilization in reforestation programs to mitigate the effects of climate change.


A study shows climate change may lead to a decline in pasture quality
SDG 13
A study shows climate change may lead to a decline in pasture quality

An increase in average temperature may render forage crops more fibrous and poorer in protein content. In the process, cattle will need to consume more food to reach slaughter weight and will produce more methane.


Scientists identify plant that flowers in Brazilian savanna one day after fire
SDG 13, SDG 15
Scientists identify plant that flowers in Brazilian savanna one day after fire

Rapid resprouting and flowering of Bulbostylis paradoxa is proof of the Cerrado biome’s superb resilience and its capacity to evolve through fire.


Crop-livestock integration boosts profitability and reduces emissions
SDG 12, SDG 13
Crop-livestock integration boosts profitability and reduces emissions

The results of a project involving Brazilian and British researchers show that integrated crop-livestock-pasture systems improve soil quality, increase cattle yields and benefit the environment.


Impact of climate change will be measured in South Atlantic
SDG 13
Impact of climate change will be measured in South Atlantic

Brazilian researchers are participating in an international collaboration that has anchored equipment at strategic locations in the South Atlantic to monitor possible changes in maritime currents.


Microorganisms are the main emitters of carbon in Amazonian waters
SDG 13
Microorganisms are the main emitters of carbon in Amazonian waters

Most of the carbon circulating in lakes, wetlands and floodplains comes not from phytoplankton, invertebrates and fish but from the microbial food web.


Scientists need to win hearts and minds on climate change, says FAPESP director
SDG 13, SDG 16
Scientists need to win hearts and minds on climate change, says FAPESP director

Research on the impact of climate change on the oceans will be increasingly important in the years ahead, according to participants attending the annual meeting of the FAPESP Research Program on Global Climate Change.


News about research projects funded by FAPESP and articulated with the SDGs: