Brazil: growth, adaptive capacity & new green technologies

environmental opportunities and antagonisms for Brazil in the 21st Century

Justin Yifu Lin fears inflation over US slowdown

World Bank Chief Economist talks to Martin Wolf about challenge facing developing economies. China should worry more about the impact of inflation, caused by rise in energy and food prices,than a US slowdown (which will impact on exports). Yesterday the Brazilian government announced an extension of agricultural credit to boost agricultural production as a means to bring down the price of food staples. A recent study revealed food prices up by 15% in Sao Paulo and 50% in Natal.

Record capital outflow in June from Bovespa

June saw the largest outflow of capital ever from the Sao Paulo stock exchange, the Bovespa. This comes after the investment grade euphoria of May which came in the midst of a worsening global outlook which has not improved. The Economist last week highlighted the changing in fortunes for emerging markets. Ploughed into as developed economies faltered, it claims that $2bn has been taken out of emerging markets in the last 2 weeks alone. Rising commodity prices and rising interest rates contrast the inverse situtation earlier in the decade.

Sadia investing in Mato Grosso

Sadia are to build a new complex in Campo Verde, Mato Grosso at a cost of R$630M. Their aim is to create a total production line for chicken processing that goes from incubation to slaughter, ‘processing’ up to 500 000 chickens per day! 60% of production from the new site willl be destined for the export market.

Biome and biodiversity mapping

Interactive guide to Brazil’s different ecosystems, each biomes stats in terms of size, number of species etc.

Gas contract with PdVSA

Brazil announced a contract to import up to 1 million tonnes of liquid natural gas from Venezuela per year from 2013.This comes after warning this week about shortages in Sao Paulo impacting on productivity with businesses reluctant to commit resources with energy shortages looming.

WWF deforestation video

Growth, inflation and development strategy

 Video from BNDES President Luciano Coutinho talking about how they see their national development plan is proceeding at a national level against the international economic outlook. Reactions to the forecasted slowdown of growth from 1st quarter rate of 5.8% and to the government’s plan to combat inflation looked at in Folha de SP. Lula’s take on the recent growth rate and Brazil’s changing fortunes regarding the G-8 

from folha online:

pib

Ethanol, land use & cars

 Production of ethanol from sugar cane overview in the guardian looking at land use pressures. Audio interview with Lula on Brazil’s position in the biofuel world market here.

Ethanol

Fabio Barbosa and Banco Real

     Quote from interview, full text on planeta sustentavel, with the President of Banco Real -winner of FT sustainable bank of the year

O presidente do Banco Real concorda que optar pela responsabilidade socioambiental gera uma mudança de mentalidade que não pode ser revertida. “E tem cada vez mais gente vindo para esse lado”, diz Fábio Barbosa.

Ele percebe que, no Brasil, há uma mania de não se valorizar o jeito certo de fazer as coisas. “Quem age corretamente é considerado bobo e acaba sendo marginalizado desde os tempos de colégio”.

Cerrado, ethanol, sustainability

 Tim Lynch article published on O Eco  contrasting the positive headlines of the ethanol boom, with the destruction of the Cerrado and the lack of strategic planning built into ethanol production to create a truly sustainable fuel. Report from 05 to look at the disappearing biome.

map of region

what the Cerrado looks like:

 

 

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