Antecipar para proteger: a jornada climática do Espírito Santo

Abstract

The memory of water is long, and in Espírito Santo, it is intertwined with the memory of losses. For decades, heavy rain was not just a meteorological phenomenon; it was a harbinger of chaos, a cycle of destruction that repeated itself with the precision of a tragedy foretold. In Vila Velha, the city that for a long time carried the bitter nickname of "Venice of Espírito Santo," water invaded life without asking permission. Approximately 30,000 families had water inside their homes, losing what little they had and bringing to the surface the image of a disaster in slow motion. It was a normalization of the crisis, a collective trauma that taught citizens an important lesson. The new approach was encapsulated in a motto that would guide all government actions: "anticipate to protect." This was not just a catchy phrase, but the synthesis of a new governance doctrine. A doctrine that understands that true security lies not in the ability to rebuild, but in the intelligence to prevent destruction. The governor translated this vision into direct and pragmatic actions, focused on concrete results. Instead of speeches, the search was for tangible solutions. This mindset initiated the construction of a true arsenal of resilience, a complex and integrated architecture of public policies, infrastructure, and financial innovation.