Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Purpose: To analyze the factors that contributed to the recent calamity in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, comparing it with other major disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina in the United States, the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and the Mariana dam disaster and Brumadinho dam disaster in Minas Gerais,in order to identify patterns and lessons applicable to future disaster prevention. Methodology/approach: A qualitative and comparative analysis was conducted based on secondary data, official reports, and academic literature. The study examined structural, institutional, and governance-related aspects of each case, focusing on preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and intergovernmental coordination. Originality/Relevance: By establishing a comparative perspective between climate-related and technological disasters, this study highlights recurring governance failures and structural vulnerabilities. It contributes to the debate on climate adaptation and risk management in subnational contexts, particularly in Southern Brazil. Key findings: Despite contextual differences, common patterns were identified, including insufficient preventive planning, weak resilient infrastructure, and limited coordination between governments and civil society. Climate issues tend to enter the public agenda reactively, following critical events. Furthermore, the coproduction of policies still faces barriers such as limited resources and institutional fragmentation. Theoretical/methodological contributions: The study reinforces the importance of integrated, preventive, and participatory governance frameworks. It provides analytical insights to support more effective climate policies and disaster risk reduction strategies in Rio Grande do Sul.
Institution: Universidade Federal de Santa Maria
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7140189023