Brazilian Biodiversity as a Source of Power and Sustainable Development: A Neglected Opportunity

Joel Henrique Ellwanger; Carlos Afonso Nobre; José Artur Bogo Chies

doi:10.3390/su15010482

journal article Open Access Dec 28, 2022

Brazilian Biodiversity as a Source of Power and Sustainable Development: A Neglected Opportunity

Joel Henrique Ellwanger

Carlos Afonso Nobre José Artur Bogo Chies

Sustainability Vol. 15 No. 1 pp. 482 · MDPI AG

View at Publisher Save 10.3390/su15010482

Abstract

Six terrestrial biomes and a huge coastline make Brazil one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. However, the potential of Brazilian biodiversity as a valuable and sustainable source of wealth and development is still neglected. In order to reverse this scenario, the country needs to recognize and assume the power of its biodiversity, focusing on (I) industry, science and technology, (II) biological conservation and maintenance of ecosystem services, considering reverberations on agriculture and public health, and (III) ecotourism, conservation and sustainable development of local populations. The joint action of the Brazilian population and scientific community is needed to achieve these goals, which must be translated into the election of politicians committed to sustainable development and an increase in research and technology based on Brazilian biodiversity. Additional reasons for preserving Brazilian biodiversity (e.g., intrinsic, cultural, and ethical values) are also addressed in this article. Finally, we argue that Brazil should recover its global leadership on the environmental agenda and assume its biological diversity as a source of Soft Power, as well as develop its neglected capacity in the field of the sustainable bio-based economy (bioeconomy). In brief, Brazil needs to recognize and embrace the power of its biodiversity.

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Details

Published: Dec 28, 2022
Vol/Issue: 15(1)
Pages: 482
License: View

Authors

J

Joel Henrique Ellwanger

Laboratório de Imunobiologia e Imunogenética, Departamento de Genética, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil

C

Carlos Afonso Nobre

Instituto de Estudos Avançados (IEA), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-060, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE), São José dos Campos, São Paulo 12227-010, Brazil

J

José Artur Bogo Chies

Laboratório de Imunobiologia e Imunogenética, Departamento de Genética, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil

Funding

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior Award: 686/2020

CNPq Award: 686/2020

CAPES Award: 686/2020

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico-CNPq Award: 686/2020

Cite This Article

Joel Henrique Ellwanger, Carlos Afonso Nobre, José Artur Bogo Chies (2022). Brazilian Biodiversity as a Source of Power and Sustainable Development: A Neglected Opportunity. Sustainability, 15(1), 482. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010482

Brazilian Biodiversity as a Source of Power and Sustainable Development: A Neglected Opportunity

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