Science for a Sustainable Future in Brazil
Sustainable development and the right to scientific progress are the main objectives of the Natural Sciences Sector at UNESCO in Brazil. It supports the elaboration and implementation of public policies in the environment, exact sciences, ocean science, water resources, technology, and innovation. The conservation and use of biodiversity and water management are some strategic themes implemented through technical cooperation agreements with public institutions and partnerships with private institutions.
Natural World Heritage and Biosphere Reserves
Today, Brazil has over 1,600 federal, state and private Conservation Units (CUs) that protect 16% of the continental territory and 0.5% of the marine area, corresponding to 1,479,286 square kilometres.
Biodiversity is crucial for reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development, intending to provide essential products and ecosystem services.
Geodiversity
UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a concept of protection, education, and sustainable development. Combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities is becoming increasingly popular. Brazil has five UNESCO Global Geoparks.
Water Resources
Since 1975, 91鶹Ʒ promoted studies and significant technical/scientific background in water management. Brazilian authorities expect UNESCO to provide assistance and technical support in implementing recommendations approved in forums where 91鶹Ʒ been leading international mobilization.
Ocean Science and Coastal Zones
Conserving the diversity of life on Earth and ocean health is critical to global human welfare, yet essential resources are at risk from the direct results of unsustainable practices. Technological solutions, political regulation or financial instruments alone cannot achieve sustainable development. We need to change the way we think and act.
On 5 December 2017, the United Nations declared the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development held from 2021 to 2030. This decade provides a common framework to ensure that ocean science can fully support countries achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Improving resilience and halting biodiversity loss in the Greater Amazon Basin
#SharingHumanity is protecting biodiversity
Safeguarding biodiversity has to become one of the major priorities of our time.
Special thanks to Maya Gabeira, UNESCO's Champion for the Ocean and Youth, for participating in our video!
Science, Technology, and Innovation
Electing Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) as a strategic choice for the country's development implies prioritizing investments in this sector to recoup losses and swiftly advance in producing and disseminating knowledge and innovation, incorporating them into the country's national outcomes. In this regard, it is necessary for citizens to follow scientific advancements closely and to be prepared to participate in decisions that are important for society.
Brazil relies on a structured system composed of a central coordinating body and development agencies in charge of defining and implementing development policies on science, technology, and innovation. In addition, the State and local level STI management systems follow the same model for development policies attuned to regional and local vocations.
Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence (AI) has enormous potential for benefiting humanity and promoting sustainable development, but only if it develops in a way that benefits humanity, respects global norms and standards, and is anchored in peace and sustainable development.
Open Science
Many Open Science movements advocate wider adoption of open science and open data. These initiatives foster the development and implementation of scientific research communication strategies that are inclusive, effective, and conducive to scientific collaboration and discovery across scientific fields.
Science Education
Science education and the development of sustainable practices are themes of great interest to UNESCO in Brazil. The major challenge posed in the country is to have Science Teaching disseminated to the population in an increasingly homogeneous way capable of effectively improving people’s quality of life.
SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
This video for children relates to SDG 6, specifically target 6.3: “By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.”
SDGs 14 and 15 – Life Below Water and Life on Land
This video relates to SDG 14, specifically target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration to achieve healthy and productive oceans” and to SDG 15, specifically target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species”.
Action in Brazil
with specialized networks to offer support and expertise on issues of sustainable development
decision-makers and researchers
studies and discussions to offer subsidies for public policies to improve environmental conservation
innovative programmes in partnership with institutions, proposing sustainable changes
reference documents for changing or innovating processes in biodiversity protection
with the advancement of indicators related to climate change, water, sanitation, and energy
