23

During fieldwork in various regions of Brazil in September and October 2023, it was clear that there was either too much or too little water at almost every stage of the journey. The article asks whether this marked change from previous visits is one of the local effects of global climate disruption and, if so, what the geopolitical consequences are: worsening the living conditions of local residents, changing the balance of power between local and regional groups, and adapting – or not – public policies.After a brief reminder of how climate change is exacerbating Brazil’s environmental challenges through its impact on natural ecosystems, agriculture, water and energy resources, the article analyses in more detail two acute episodes that occurred in 2023 and 2024: low water and fires in the Amazon, and flooding in Rio Grande do Sul. The first of these had a geopolitical impact at the international level, and the second at the national level. Locally, it shows the impact of climate change on the country’s energy balance and policy, an area where complex interactions are evident.