The climate adaptive capacity in the context of brazilian cities: a dialogue with the theories of ecological modernization and risk society

Abstract

The debates on the environmental issue, which are relatively recent, have given rise to a central discussion on climate change, which, in turn, runs through themes such as the development and management of cities. Thus, understanding what cities have done and sought to do to implement and effect their capacity to adapt to climate change is of fundamental importance in the context of a society in constant risk, vulnerability and uncertainty. In this sense, the objective of this paper is to reflect and discuss about the adaptive capacity of Brazilian cities to climate change as a challenge to be faced in the context of a society at constant risk. For this, the methodological procedures follow the guidelines of a research with a qualitative approach, in which bibliographic research is used as the main method to discuss the theories of risk society, ecological modernization and adaptive capacity in the context of climate change. In conclusion, it is learned that, even though there is recognition of a society in constant risks, vulnerabilities and uncertainties, the Brazilian State has assumed a role as a reactive agent, not a proactive one. The theoretical perspective of ecological modernization recommends a proactive state, with the development and production of technologies to deal with environmental problems, such as climate change.