RIO DE JANEIRO
Pre-reflection
Oil reserves in Brazil
Petrobras is a Brazilian state-controlled energy company and is one of the country’s largest corporations. Their plan is to capitalize on deep sea oil that is located under s shifting cap of salt off Brazil’s eastern coast, commonly referred to as pre-salt. Operating in 27 countries around the world, it was also heralded as the fastest growing oil company. However, this rapid expansion coupled with continued unforeseen hindrances have begun to make people think otherwise. Petrobras had a promising future in regards to oil power, but reverses that were predicted to rival producers such as Saudi Arabia have come up as dry. Another reason as to why this undertaking by Petrobras and its partners has becomes ever increasingly difficult is because of constant government interference, cost overruns, and equipment shortages.
Energy has, and will always be one of the most important commodities needed to for the success of a country, in terms of economy and even well being of its citizens. The increased government oversight that this project has attracted does seem necessary and actually helpful to other industries in Brazil. However, why go in the direction of oil like many others before you? Brazil has been able to see what other countries have done, yet not follow those progressive countries that made the decision to utilize alternative renewable energies to produce the bulk of their power needs. The reason for this could be not having enough money to invest in these alternatives, but in the long term this decision could be costly. Though maybe the importance of where the oil comes from is greater than any, not having to rely on foreign imports of oil increases Brazil’s self reliance.
Favelas and Urban Planning
The favelas of Brazil represent a stark contrast between the economic and racial divide that has long existed within the country. These unplanned dwellings usually lack basic services and public investment. The majority of residents who live their have running water and most, if not all, have electricity, however not a safe infrastructure nor from a reliable source. Sanitation is an ever-present problem, and in the case of Rocinha, the largest favela located in Rio de Janerio, sewage flows down a large open channel in the middle of houses. The greatest danger threatening the people of the favelas is the control drug lords and traffickers hold over the streets. Drug gangs have heavy influence, as far as to the extent that they establish their own laws to govern and buy off corrupt police commanders to allow for continued illegal activities, which include the movement of drugs and firearms.
It is incredible to read the stories of the people who call these favelas home and the positive impact they have made within them. Instead of waiting for the government to provide what is needed, people have filled niches such as, daycare providers, mailmen, and tour guides. Favelas are such a well-known feature of Brazil and have been depicted in films and even music videos (Beautiful by Snoop Dogg featuring Pharell), and it’s interesting travelers who visit the city want to experience this unplanned landmark, including myself. Migration to cities in search for employment has been a worldwide human trend since the creation of cities, yet the issue of planning for a surge of additional people has never been addressed correctly.
Water quality (pollution) management in Rio
The waters of Guanabarra Bay in Rio de Janerio is a disgusting slurry of human fecal matter, household waste, industrial runoff, and leachates from what was once South America’s largest landfill. Tests conducted on these waters have concluded the average fecal pollution exceeds Brazilian water quality standards at a rate of 78 times the satisfactory limit. In preparation for the 2016 Olympics, Brazil must face the challenge of an extensive clean up to address this massive sanitation problem. Events such as sailing, triathlons, and marathon swimming will soon take place here, and in its current state will pose great dangers to the health and safety of the athletes whom are to participate. Japan had once assisted Brazil to clean up this same location back in 1992, but not much progress, if any has actually occurred. This has been attributed to possible corruption, however is as also been said lack of planning was really caused the demise of the program. Recently, Brazil has been placed in the global spotlight as the host country for not one, but two major athletic events. In doing so, Brazil has made some rapid changes to improving their infrastructure though it doesn’t seem to be reflective of the country’s long-term goals. This is because the government as opted for short-term solutions in order to be ready for the Olympics. One instance of this is the utilization of river treatment units as a means to clean the water of waste instead of addressing the source of what is causing the pollution in the first place.
Oil reserves in Brazil
Petrobras is a Brazilian state-controlled energy company and is one of the country’s largest corporations. Their plan is to capitalize on deep sea oil that is located under s shifting cap of salt off Brazil’s eastern coast, commonly referred to as pre-salt. Operating in 27 countries around the world, it was also heralded as the fastest growing oil company. However, this rapid expansion coupled with continued unforeseen hindrances have begun to make people think otherwise. Petrobras had a promising future in regards to oil power, but reverses that were predicted to rival producers such as Saudi Arabia have come up as dry. Another reason as to why this undertaking by Petrobras and its partners has becomes ever increasingly difficult is because of constant government interference, cost overruns, and equipment shortages.
Energy has, and will always be one of the most important commodities needed to for the success of a country, in terms of economy and even well being of its citizens. The increased government oversight that this project has attracted does seem necessary and actually helpful to other industries in Brazil. However, why go in the direction of oil like many others before you? Brazil has been able to see what other countries have done, yet not follow those progressive countries that made the decision to utilize alternative renewable energies to produce the bulk of their power needs. The reason for this could be not having enough money to invest in these alternatives, but in the long term this decision could be costly. Though maybe the importance of where the oil comes from is greater than any, not having to rely on foreign imports of oil increases Brazil’s self reliance.
Favelas and Urban Planning
The favelas of Brazil represent a stark contrast between the economic and racial divide that has long existed within the country. These unplanned dwellings usually lack basic services and public investment. The majority of residents who live their have running water and most, if not all, have electricity, however not a safe infrastructure nor from a reliable source. Sanitation is an ever-present problem, and in the case of Rocinha, the largest favela located in Rio de Janerio, sewage flows down a large open channel in the middle of houses. The greatest danger threatening the people of the favelas is the control drug lords and traffickers hold over the streets. Drug gangs have heavy influence, as far as to the extent that they establish their own laws to govern and buy off corrupt police commanders to allow for continued illegal activities, which include the movement of drugs and firearms.
It is incredible to read the stories of the people who call these favelas home and the positive impact they have made within them. Instead of waiting for the government to provide what is needed, people have filled niches such as, daycare providers, mailmen, and tour guides. Favelas are such a well-known feature of Brazil and have been depicted in films and even music videos (Beautiful by Snoop Dogg featuring Pharell), and it’s interesting travelers who visit the city want to experience this unplanned landmark, including myself. Migration to cities in search for employment has been a worldwide human trend since the creation of cities, yet the issue of planning for a surge of additional people has never been addressed correctly.
Water quality (pollution) management in Rio
The waters of Guanabarra Bay in Rio de Janerio is a disgusting slurry of human fecal matter, household waste, industrial runoff, and leachates from what was once South America’s largest landfill. Tests conducted on these waters have concluded the average fecal pollution exceeds Brazilian water quality standards at a rate of 78 times the satisfactory limit. In preparation for the 2016 Olympics, Brazil must face the challenge of an extensive clean up to address this massive sanitation problem. Events such as sailing, triathlons, and marathon swimming will soon take place here, and in its current state will pose great dangers to the health and safety of the athletes whom are to participate. Japan had once assisted Brazil to clean up this same location back in 1992, but not much progress, if any has actually occurred. This has been attributed to possible corruption, however is as also been said lack of planning was really caused the demise of the program. Recently, Brazil has been placed in the global spotlight as the host country for not one, but two major athletic events. In doing so, Brazil has made some rapid changes to improving their infrastructure though it doesn’t seem to be reflective of the country’s long-term goals. This is because the government as opted for short-term solutions in order to be ready for the Olympics. One instance of this is the utilization of river treatment units as a means to clean the water of waste instead of addressing the source of what is causing the pollution in the first place.