Project approved by the congress relaxed environmental requirements. But tragedies like Brumadinho, Cubatão and climate collapse in RS show that preventing is always cheaper – and more human – than repairing
Congress has just approved a project that flexes the. The justification: unlock investments and reduce bureaucracy. But in the face of our story, we need to take a break and reflect. Because when it comes to the environment, each wrong decision leaves marks that cross generations. If you ask today the residents of Rio Grande do Sul – where historical rains caused deaths and destruction in 2024 and 2025 – if they would channel rivers again or allow occupations in risk areas, the answer would be “no.” The tragedy revealed the high price that pays for neglecting nature. In, the story repeats itself. Hundreds of lost lives, toxic mud that still contaminates rivers and soil years later. There was environmental licensing there. What failed was the inspection. The warning of the sirens didn’t even play. What was missing was to prevent. Pollution does not disappear over time. Therefore, preventing is more humane, cheaper – and more responsible – than repairing. The environment is not a barrier. The problem is not in discussing project analysis deadlines. The problem is in loosening criteria. Bureaucracy is legitimate, provided it is accompanied by more technical qualification, supervision and public responsibility. Those who grew up on the banks of the Tietê River know what that means. Decades ago, he was a source of leisure and fishing. Today, it is a symbol of environmental abandonment. If it were possible to go back in time, those who lived this transformation would prevent us from coming to this point. It is another example that cannot be forgotten. It has already been called the “Valley of Death.” Children were born without brain, many with malformations. More than 50% of the population suffered from breathing problems. The city only began to recover decades later, thanks to pressure from stricter environmental laws.
Now, with the new bill, part of Congress wants to transfer decision -making power to municipalities and states, allowing economic enterprises to be released even without solid technical criteria. Imagine the lobby of large groups in small cities, with high social vulnerability, authorizing works of great environmental impact without proper control. The promise of economic development is not sustained when the mud takes over, when there is no drinking water or when the drought ties to agricultural production. There is no viable agribusiness with severe floods and extreme climate cycles. This is why one cannot make what is essential flexible. Because the dropped tree does not come back. Contaminated water is not cleaned on its own. And nature – this, definitely – has no undoing button.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the young Pan.
