Underlying Violence In Rio De Janeiro and the Effects of Climate Change

 

Rio De Janeiro is a picturesque city that attracts millions of tourists and accounts for 60% of Brazilian GDP (Tourism and GDP). It is home to beautiful coastlines, stunning mountains, and a vibrant culture in the big city. However, violence has plagued the city over the past decades. In 2009, more than eleven hundred people were killed by police forces (Tropic of Chaos). Gang violence is prevalent and drug trade fills the market. In 2000, the murder rate per 100,000 was found to be 56.6 (Crime in Brazil), a murder rate 6x that of New York City. One may ask where all this violence stems from. It is a complex problem that begins with slavery in the past that created lasting social inequalities, and continues today with the Climate Crisis exacerbating the problem.

 Relative deprivation is a factor introduced in Christian Parenti’s book, Tropic of Chaos, that helps to explain why horrific forms of violence continue to persist in this city. This phrase describes that crime, violence, etc. occurs because of one's relative deprivation to others. When one group has the necessities, status, and wealth, the other group sees how good it could/should be and is more likely to engage in crimes or violence to better themselves. One can see how deprivation relative to another, will drive individuals to go to the extremes to close that gap. It is the lasting social inequality that drives the crimes and violence found in the favelas. It was found that from 1960 to 1980, income per person grew 123%, while from 1980 to 2000 it grew by less than 4%. As inflation and markets grew and changed, the income level for these locals did not change. Add in a 41%  population increase from 1980-1990 in the favelas, and you can see why social inequalities grew (Tropics of Chaos) . These statistics show why desperate people become entwined in gang/criminal activity. 

Pacification is the goal solution, and one that was being employed in the 2010s. The goal was to have special forces suppress the gangs, have police set up bases, and when security is established, to implement health care, education, and other recreational facilities. This solution may have worked if police forces did not implement immoral and violent acts on people in the favelas. The cops forcibly enter any residence and use intimidation tactics. Rather than pacifying the situation, it is another power grab for desperate individuals. Police treat the locals like criminals, arrest for minor crimes, physically assault, and steal money if they believe a local has too much (Tropic of Chaos). 

Climate change is another aspect that is worsening the situation. Climate migrants flood the mega cities of Brazil. In 1970, 50% of Brazilians lived in cities, whereas in 2010, over 80% lived in cities. It is estimated this number will be around 86% come 2020 (Impact of Climate Change on South America). Desperation and poverty strike more and more people which only fuels the gang violence and inequalities present in Rio. This will be a growing problem as climate change rages on, and Brazil’s government struggles to compensate and plan for the changes it will cause. 

Present day, progress is being made with police injustices found in Rio. A new program called Pacifying Police Units (UPPs), has shown a 60% reduction in police killings from 2008-2013. Additionally, immoral and violent police are being removed from their positions. Body worn cameras have also been found to reduce gun-incidents by 40%. This is a start to solving the multi-facet problem Rio De Janeiro is experiencing. By having moral law-enforcement, locals can start to work with the state rather than against it, and help to reduce the violence present. Crime rates, presently, are down compared to when Tropic of Chaos was published in 2012. In 2012, 28.29 per 100,00 people was the statistic. In 2017, the crime rate per 100,000 peaked at 30.69. The past 5 years, the crime rate has been increasingly reduced, hovering around 20 per 100,000. This a trend that will hopefully continue as relations between favela occupants and law enforcement becomes more safe, engaging, and professional.

Presently, markets and individuals in Brazil are seeing an increase in wages in a household. Having stable, sufficient wages will help reduce some of the crime and violence that is seen in Rio. It was found that Annual Household Income per Capita reached 4,779.705 USD in Dec 2017, compared to the previous value of 4,272.395 USD in Dec 2016. This is a minor step into the right direction to make sure that desperate people do not have to perform desperate acts and get involved with gang activity and violence. 

And finally, the climate migration update. Even presently, individuals are leaving the countryside for cities due to lack of work in agricultural areas due to drought. People are desperate for employment, and climate change is not aiding in this process. In 2010, 12,485,000 people were found in Rio De Janeiro. Currently in 2023, the number is up to 13,428,000, and is growing by about ~0.6% or more every year. Employment rates are recovering from the Covid Pandemic, and have increased to higher amounts in 2022, 57.40%, compared to 53%, in 2017 before the pandemic started. The local government will have to be in constant adaptation to house its people as they flee from the effects of climate change found in the countryside and provide its people equitable benefits and opportunities.

Although this problem is very challenging to address as so many aspects contribute to the issue, some progress has been made since Parenti’s 2012 work, Tropic of Chaos, that highlights aspects of this issue. Only time will tell if enough resources and support will be able to change and better this region as it faces some of its histories' hardest times.