THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY FROM EPISTEMOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL PERSPECTIVES: ANALYSING THE TRAGEDY IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL

Abstract

Climate emergency is one of the most pressing global issues today, requiring effective governmental and regulatory actions. This article investigates Climate Emergency in Brazil from an epistemological and political perspective, with a focus on the climate disasters that occurred in Rio Grande do Sul in 2024. Using a qualitative method and documentary research, the role of the State, international institutions, and civil society in adopting prevention and adaptation measures is analyzed. The discussion is based on the thoughts of Emmanuel Levinas, Enrique Leff, and Eduardo Gudynas, providing a critical framework on the relationship between humanity and nature. The study concludes that, despite Brazil's international commitments, the absence of specific regulations and political inefficiency contribute to an increasingly vulnerable environmental scenario. It highlights the urgency of concrete measures to mitigate climate impacts and ensure the safety of affected populations.