Prep Assignment:
Rio de Janeiro, home of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, is also home to major social and environmental issues. Oil wells, which only five years ago had been promising exports for the country, are not as abundant as once presumed. Favelas, or shantytowns, house the city’s less fortunate and are run by drugs and violence. Lack of government regulation and support leaves the slums filled with garbage, polluting the streets and waterways. The pollution inside Guanaba Bay is 198 times worse than the amount of sewage that is considered safe. These issues affect the people within the city, the ecosystem, and the country as a whole as it prepares for Olympia.
The first two assigned articles described the oil wells that were found off the coast of Brazil in 2008. After hearing about the initial finding, I never followed up much and figured that all was going smoothly and that the country would be converting from ethanol to this new found energy. As the articles described, there have been many setbacks. Petrobas, the company hired to extract and export the oil, is restricted by heavy mandates and government interference. They also require oil platforms and heavy equipment which has proven to be very costly and there is not enough equipment to do the job. While it was originally thought that 82% of the “pre-salt” area was abundant with oil, it seems as though many of the wells are coming up dry and not living up to the 240 billion barrel hype. Since 2008, the oil company has lost one third of its value and $20 billion dollars. While this seems much more somber than the initial finding, I believe it gives Brazil the opportunity to concentrate on its current and more sustainable energy source – ethanol. Depending on the government’s pace, the oil wells may prove to be a valuable source of fuel or income for Brazil, but in the meantime, the corn will prevail.
While drilling of oil is a hot topic in some areas of Rio, about six percent of Brazil’s population does not have the privilege of having access to proper sanitation, let alone a vehicle to fill with fuel. Favelas are characterized by poor planning and construction and divided into poor and “wealthy” neighborhoods. The poorer areas are located on the hilltops and accessible only by foot. Favelados, or slum dwellers, survive off incomes of less than 240 USD per year. The assigned articles show a day in the life of the slums through the eyes of several citizens, both well and worse off. One of the citizens speaks of Rio, “it’s embarrassing, in a country as rich as Brazil, things are just so badly managed”. It can be assumed that if the city is not cleaned up or at least masked, this image will leave a bad impression globally in the eyes of all visiting for the 2016 Olympics.
Both the drug rings run from favelas as well as solid waste management are two image control issues that Rio de Janeiro is focusing on as the Olympics draws near. The water in Guanaba Bay is so polluted with trash that the bottom is almost nonexistent. With that being said, Brazil still intends to hold the aquatic sports competitions in the bay less than two short years from now. Although the government discusses big plans to clean up and instill sanitary conditions in the bay and the surrounding areas, it seems like they are stalling in the process and even with implementation, there is often little follow through. One can only wait to see what action is taken, and more importantly, if it is maintained after the games are completed.
Rio de Janeiro, home of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, is also home to major social and environmental issues. Oil wells, which only five years ago had been promising exports for the country, are not as abundant as once presumed. Favelas, or shantytowns, house the city’s less fortunate and are run by drugs and violence. Lack of government regulation and support leaves the slums filled with garbage, polluting the streets and waterways. The pollution inside Guanaba Bay is 198 times worse than the amount of sewage that is considered safe. These issues affect the people within the city, the ecosystem, and the country as a whole as it prepares for Olympia.
The first two assigned articles described the oil wells that were found off the coast of Brazil in 2008. After hearing about the initial finding, I never followed up much and figured that all was going smoothly and that the country would be converting from ethanol to this new found energy. As the articles described, there have been many setbacks. Petrobas, the company hired to extract and export the oil, is restricted by heavy mandates and government interference. They also require oil platforms and heavy equipment which has proven to be very costly and there is not enough equipment to do the job. While it was originally thought that 82% of the “pre-salt” area was abundant with oil, it seems as though many of the wells are coming up dry and not living up to the 240 billion barrel hype. Since 2008, the oil company has lost one third of its value and $20 billion dollars. While this seems much more somber than the initial finding, I believe it gives Brazil the opportunity to concentrate on its current and more sustainable energy source – ethanol. Depending on the government’s pace, the oil wells may prove to be a valuable source of fuel or income for Brazil, but in the meantime, the corn will prevail.
While drilling of oil is a hot topic in some areas of Rio, about six percent of Brazil’s population does not have the privilege of having access to proper sanitation, let alone a vehicle to fill with fuel. Favelas are characterized by poor planning and construction and divided into poor and “wealthy” neighborhoods. The poorer areas are located on the hilltops and accessible only by foot. Favelados, or slum dwellers, survive off incomes of less than 240 USD per year. The assigned articles show a day in the life of the slums through the eyes of several citizens, both well and worse off. One of the citizens speaks of Rio, “it’s embarrassing, in a country as rich as Brazil, things are just so badly managed”. It can be assumed that if the city is not cleaned up or at least masked, this image will leave a bad impression globally in the eyes of all visiting for the 2016 Olympics.
Both the drug rings run from favelas as well as solid waste management are two image control issues that Rio de Janeiro is focusing on as the Olympics draws near. The water in Guanaba Bay is so polluted with trash that the bottom is almost nonexistent. With that being said, Brazil still intends to hold the aquatic sports competitions in the bay less than two short years from now. Although the government discusses big plans to clean up and instill sanitary conditions in the bay and the surrounding areas, it seems like they are stalling in the process and even with implementation, there is often little follow through. One can only wait to see what action is taken, and more importantly, if it is maintained after the games are completed.
Day Four:
Rio de Janeiro – where music and passion are always the fashion. We arrived this morning and were welcomed by a powerful ambiance much different of that in Manaus. Walking through the giant hotel doors, Harley Pollack whispered to me a slight concern that he may have misplaced his passport.
“Stay calm; check your pockets, your suitcase and your backpack. Did you put it in the pocket of the seat in front of you on the plane?” I expressed the importance of finding the passport but maintained my composure as Harley rifled through his belongings.
As one would have expected, Harley was unable to locate his passport. This complication led to a trip to the consulate for Harley and Tait while Betty stayed at the hotel with the rest of the crew. We ventured down the street to the corner market where I ordered a delicious egg cheeseburger and fresh mango smoothie. Afterwards, Tait and Harley ventured off on their passport mission and the girls ventured up to the rooftop pool to tan.
Although not much education or travelling was done today, I feel as if the group spent a good day interacting and bonding as well as getting to know Betty. Betty told us of all the countries she had been to and how valuable travelling is for the soul. This experience has also shown the implications that come from misplacing such a vital and easy-to-lose piece of identification. I do not know the struggles that Harley had to go through to obtain his emergency passport, but I do know that the ignorance does not seem worth it. I am thankful that this bump in the road does not impose severe delay in our itinerary and excited to get back into gear tomorrow.
Rio de Janeiro – where music and passion are always the fashion. We arrived this morning and were welcomed by a powerful ambiance much different of that in Manaus. Walking through the giant hotel doors, Harley Pollack whispered to me a slight concern that he may have misplaced his passport.
“Stay calm; check your pockets, your suitcase and your backpack. Did you put it in the pocket of the seat in front of you on the plane?” I expressed the importance of finding the passport but maintained my composure as Harley rifled through his belongings.
As one would have expected, Harley was unable to locate his passport. This complication led to a trip to the consulate for Harley and Tait while Betty stayed at the hotel with the rest of the crew. We ventured down the street to the corner market where I ordered a delicious egg cheeseburger and fresh mango smoothie. Afterwards, Tait and Harley ventured off on their passport mission and the girls ventured up to the rooftop pool to tan.
Although not much education or travelling was done today, I feel as if the group spent a good day interacting and bonding as well as getting to know Betty. Betty told us of all the countries she had been to and how valuable travelling is for the soul. This experience has also shown the implications that come from misplacing such a vital and easy-to-lose piece of identification. I do not know the struggles that Harley had to go through to obtain his emergency passport, but I do know that the ignorance does not seem worth it. I am thankful that this bump in the road does not impose severe delay in our itinerary and excited to get back into gear tomorrow.
Day Five:
The agenda today consists of a trip to Crist the Redeemer and a briefing on energy production in Brazil by Cody and Jess. Students woke up early and boarded the van up the mountain to view Crist. I found the history between Crist the Redeemer to be particularly interesting. Built in the 1920s, the statue stands over ninety feet tall and wide and acts as a famous landmark in the state. After arriving at the monument, however, I was slightly disappointed by the amount of attention focused on tourism and the crowded atmosphere. Regardless, nothing in the world compares to being that up close and personal to Jesus Christ himself.
After a fulfilling day, students returned to the hotel to get ready for a presentation by Jess and Cody. Anticipating a trip to Chevron tomorrow, Jess and Cody spoke of the oil and sugarcane industries in Brazil and the role that Chevron plays in the national energy market. As Jess and Cody described, Petrobras is the fastest growing oil company in the world. While Brazil is historically known for their role in the ethanol industry, the crude oil market is rapidly growing. Jess and Cody gave us statistics for this information and highlighted Chevron’s role in the marketplace.
Oil isn’t the only factor that plays a role in Brazil’s national economy. While the average annual income is low, favela dwellers make up a significant portion of Rio de Janeiro’s population and therefore play a significant role in the economy. The term favela, meaning “self-built”, refers to the clusterfuck of low income housing alongside many mountainsides in Brazil. The Brazilian government has been struggling for years to deal with the drug and gang problems spewing from this uncivilized society.
Since the 1970’s, 20% of all favelas have been eliminated from the hillsides of Rio de Janeiro through pacification and G.A.P. organization programs. The government is working hard to stimulate the economies in these communities and provide multiple avenues of transportation and employment in order to reduce crime rates. If we play our cards right, we may have the opportunity to visit one of these favelas up close and personal.
At dinner tonight, our server flirted incessantly with Betty and we learned that he actually lives in a nearly favela. On a side note, the dinner was spectacular and arguably the best food I have ever eaten. Jess and I split the chicken with pineapple, which was served on a sizzling skewer with a side of mashed potatoes, rice and fried cabbage. We ended up staying at the restaurant for over four hours due to discrepancies with the check and chat with our favela friend. Apparently, he can get us into his favela and show us around. Tait added him on Facebook and we may meet with him upon our return to Rio. Sounds a little fishy to me, but we shall see.
The agenda today consists of a trip to Crist the Redeemer and a briefing on energy production in Brazil by Cody and Jess. Students woke up early and boarded the van up the mountain to view Crist. I found the history between Crist the Redeemer to be particularly interesting. Built in the 1920s, the statue stands over ninety feet tall and wide and acts as a famous landmark in the state. After arriving at the monument, however, I was slightly disappointed by the amount of attention focused on tourism and the crowded atmosphere. Regardless, nothing in the world compares to being that up close and personal to Jesus Christ himself.
After a fulfilling day, students returned to the hotel to get ready for a presentation by Jess and Cody. Anticipating a trip to Chevron tomorrow, Jess and Cody spoke of the oil and sugarcane industries in Brazil and the role that Chevron plays in the national energy market. As Jess and Cody described, Petrobras is the fastest growing oil company in the world. While Brazil is historically known for their role in the ethanol industry, the crude oil market is rapidly growing. Jess and Cody gave us statistics for this information and highlighted Chevron’s role in the marketplace.
Oil isn’t the only factor that plays a role in Brazil’s national economy. While the average annual income is low, favela dwellers make up a significant portion of Rio de Janeiro’s population and therefore play a significant role in the economy. The term favela, meaning “self-built”, refers to the clusterfuck of low income housing alongside many mountainsides in Brazil. The Brazilian government has been struggling for years to deal with the drug and gang problems spewing from this uncivilized society.
Since the 1970’s, 20% of all favelas have been eliminated from the hillsides of Rio de Janeiro through pacification and G.A.P. organization programs. The government is working hard to stimulate the economies in these communities and provide multiple avenues of transportation and employment in order to reduce crime rates. If we play our cards right, we may have the opportunity to visit one of these favelas up close and personal.
At dinner tonight, our server flirted incessantly with Betty and we learned that he actually lives in a nearly favela. On a side note, the dinner was spectacular and arguably the best food I have ever eaten. Jess and I split the chicken with pineapple, which was served on a sizzling skewer with a side of mashed potatoes, rice and fried cabbage. We ended up staying at the restaurant for over four hours due to discrepancies with the check and chat with our favela friend. Apparently, he can get us into his favela and show us around. Tait added him on Facebook and we may meet with him upon our return to Rio. Sounds a little fishy to me, but we shall see.
Day Six:
Today we are scheduled to meet with some employees of Chevron. After dressing our best and stopping for lunch, we started our journey to the Chevron building, with was a short bus and subway ride away. The employees at Chevron were very hospitable and offered us beverages, snacks and coffee. Students were educated by five speakers about Amazon geology, ecology and oil drilling.
I found the most interesting presentation to be that of Hugo Moreno regarding the ecology in Brazil and the implications of drilling in the region. Moreno described the importance of the six biomes found in Brazil including the Pampas, Cerrados, Pantanal, Caatinga, Amazon and Mangrove ecosystems. As Moreno described, the Pampas is the only temperate biome in Brazil as well as the least protected. It is predominately affected by the impacts that agriculture and livestock have on forest habitats. The Cerrados, including the Brazilian savanna (the second biggest biome), is the most biologically diverse savanna in the world. Unfortunately, this ecosystem is especially vulnerable to deforestation and climate change and only 20% of the original biome is left.
Moreno’s data seemed reliable but seemed slightly inconsistent in his ambiguous claims as to which biome is most greatly endangered. Overall, the presentation highlighted the Amazon’s current conditions in terms of biodiversity and vulnerability relative to the effects that drilling has on these biomes. This furthered understanding of the previous presentations on fossil fuel resource extraction, including the repercussions on the land such as landslides. As the presenters described, landslides are a common issue as heavy rainfall wears down rock structures prone to erosion.
Over a number of years, rain striking rock structures provides a weighty load and constant lubrication. This is heightened by a catalyst of human activity such as deforestation or mountaintop removal. The weak and superficial outer layers of rock structures combined with the impacts of human consumption and exploitation result in erosion and therefore significant destruction of ecosystem service function, including sedimentation and carbon sink depletion.
While these consequences were not specifically mentioned during the Chevron presentation, they were clearly implied. Students left with a detailed understanding of oil drilling and Brazilian ecology. The day was concluded with a relaxing night of pizza and conversation as students recollected the day’s events and looked forward to the upcoming days in Curitiba.
Today we are scheduled to meet with some employees of Chevron. After dressing our best and stopping for lunch, we started our journey to the Chevron building, with was a short bus and subway ride away. The employees at Chevron were very hospitable and offered us beverages, snacks and coffee. Students were educated by five speakers about Amazon geology, ecology and oil drilling.
I found the most interesting presentation to be that of Hugo Moreno regarding the ecology in Brazil and the implications of drilling in the region. Moreno described the importance of the six biomes found in Brazil including the Pampas, Cerrados, Pantanal, Caatinga, Amazon and Mangrove ecosystems. As Moreno described, the Pampas is the only temperate biome in Brazil as well as the least protected. It is predominately affected by the impacts that agriculture and livestock have on forest habitats. The Cerrados, including the Brazilian savanna (the second biggest biome), is the most biologically diverse savanna in the world. Unfortunately, this ecosystem is especially vulnerable to deforestation and climate change and only 20% of the original biome is left.
Moreno’s data seemed reliable but seemed slightly inconsistent in his ambiguous claims as to which biome is most greatly endangered. Overall, the presentation highlighted the Amazon’s current conditions in terms of biodiversity and vulnerability relative to the effects that drilling has on these biomes. This furthered understanding of the previous presentations on fossil fuel resource extraction, including the repercussions on the land such as landslides. As the presenters described, landslides are a common issue as heavy rainfall wears down rock structures prone to erosion.
Over a number of years, rain striking rock structures provides a weighty load and constant lubrication. This is heightened by a catalyst of human activity such as deforestation or mountaintop removal. The weak and superficial outer layers of rock structures combined with the impacts of human consumption and exploitation result in erosion and therefore significant destruction of ecosystem service function, including sedimentation and carbon sink depletion.
While these consequences were not specifically mentioned during the Chevron presentation, they were clearly implied. Students left with a detailed understanding of oil drilling and Brazilian ecology. The day was concluded with a relaxing night of pizza and conversation as students recollected the day’s events and looked forward to the upcoming days in Curitiba.
Day Thirteen:
For our last day, the group decided to take our trip to the Tijuca National Forest, since we were unable to when Harley had his passport mishap. Tijuca is known as the world’s largest urban forest and the land used to be cultivated for exports such as coffee and sugar. The now-preserved rainforest was absolutely beautiful and we saw the least amount of people in the park than we have on the entire trip. I wish that we would have been able to spend more time here as well as gotten to visit Sugarloaf Mountain.
Along the way, Tait pointed out places along the trail where erosion had begun to take its toll. When the trails and paths are cut through the forest, the uprooting of trees and disruption of soil can cause landslides and mudslides resulting in massive destruction. To prevent this, trees can be planted that take root in the soil, absorbing nutrients and holding the soil in place.
Another interesting thing that I noted in the forest was the power lines that appeared to run infinitely. The presence of electricity made me wonder what it could possibly be used for in such a desolate place, but the only logical destination I can think for them to run to is the small visitors center about a half mile into the forest. Since we did not get to explore much, it is possible that other structures requiring electricity could be found deeper into the forest, such as a men and women’s bathroom.
Returning from the forest, the group had about two hours of downtime to relax and shower before dinner and boarding the plane. At this point, it still has not hit me that we are about to return home to the United States. I am not sure if I am ready to return to the daily grind of work and school or be reacquainted with the English language. We have begun exchanging pictures and phone numbers and are immediately making plans for once we return to school.
This trip has been extremely influential on me and the other members of the Brasil Experience not only educationally, but also culturally. I am a firm believer that travel is extremely enriching and try to take advantage of it every chance I get. Although I already miss Brazil, I know that I will one day return. Obrigado!
For our last day, the group decided to take our trip to the Tijuca National Forest, since we were unable to when Harley had his passport mishap. Tijuca is known as the world’s largest urban forest and the land used to be cultivated for exports such as coffee and sugar. The now-preserved rainforest was absolutely beautiful and we saw the least amount of people in the park than we have on the entire trip. I wish that we would have been able to spend more time here as well as gotten to visit Sugarloaf Mountain.
Along the way, Tait pointed out places along the trail where erosion had begun to take its toll. When the trails and paths are cut through the forest, the uprooting of trees and disruption of soil can cause landslides and mudslides resulting in massive destruction. To prevent this, trees can be planted that take root in the soil, absorbing nutrients and holding the soil in place.
Another interesting thing that I noted in the forest was the power lines that appeared to run infinitely. The presence of electricity made me wonder what it could possibly be used for in such a desolate place, but the only logical destination I can think for them to run to is the small visitors center about a half mile into the forest. Since we did not get to explore much, it is possible that other structures requiring electricity could be found deeper into the forest, such as a men and women’s bathroom.
Returning from the forest, the group had about two hours of downtime to relax and shower before dinner and boarding the plane. At this point, it still has not hit me that we are about to return home to the United States. I am not sure if I am ready to return to the daily grind of work and school or be reacquainted with the English language. We have begun exchanging pictures and phone numbers and are immediately making plans for once we return to school.
This trip has been extremely influential on me and the other members of the Brasil Experience not only educationally, but also culturally. I am a firm believer that travel is extremely enriching and try to take advantage of it every chance I get. Although I already miss Brazil, I know that I will one day return. Obrigado!