SAO PAULO (AP) — A major river in the Brazilian metropolis of Sao Paulo is suddenly emerald green and clear skies this week turned from blue to grey.
In the late afternoon, the sun’s rays filtering through the smoky haze exhibit the color of deep orange.
This isn’t a fantasy world: Environmental threats in recent days have transformed the colors of the city’s landscape.
The state’s environmental authority attributes the Pinheiros River’s new green hue to an algae bloom, the result of severe drought that has significantly lowered water levels.
Residents of South America’s most populous city are complaining about both the smoke throughout the city and a putrid smell near the river.
For two consecutive days, smoke caused Sao Paulo, a metropolitan area of 21 million people, to breathe the second-most polluted air in the world, according to data gathered by IQAir, a Swiss air technology company.
On Tuesday afternoon, the city’s air pollution was second only to that of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Sao Paulo state’s environmental agency classified Tuesday’s air quality in the metropolitan region as very poor, and advised people to avoid strenuous outdoor exercise, stay hydrated, and keep doors and windows closed.
“I can’t even manage to practice physical activities on the street,” actress Ingrid Camboí told the AP.
“You live in a place where there’s a constant layer of smoke in the sky, a haze.
SAO PAULO (AP) — This week, clear skies turned blue to grey, and a major river in the Brazilian metropolis of Sao Paulo suddenly turned emerald green. The sun’s rays are a deep orange color in the late afternoon when they break through the haze of smoke.
This is no fantastical world: environmental dangers have recently changed the hues of the city’s surroundings.
The environmental authority of the state credits the recent green color of the Pinheiros River to an algal bloom, which is the outcome of a severe drought that has drastically reduced water levels. Monday and Tuesday were the days that the phenomenon was visible. The agency explained that the city’s smoke-filled air during those same days resulted from a hot, dry mass that made it more difficult for pollutants from ongoing wildfires in forested areas to disperse.
Brazil is experiencing its worst drought since records have been kept nationwide more than 70 years ago, and 59% of the nation, or an area about half the size of the United States, is under stress. s. Notable rivers in the Amazon region are reaching record lows. The country’s air quality has gotten worse due to uncontrolled, man-made wildfires that have destroyed protected areas and spread smoke over a large area, both in the Amazon rainforest and other biomes.
The most populous city in South America is experiencing complaints from its citizens regarding a foul smell near the river as well as widespread smoke.
“The stench gets much worse after 10 p.m. if it’s hot during the day and the temperature drops. M. Systems analyst Flavio Xavier Santana stated as much in a riverfront interview with The Associated Press.
According to data gathered by Swiss air technology company IQAir, smoke contributed to the second-most polluted air in the world for two consecutive days in Sao Paulo, a metro area home to 21 million people. Just Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, had more polluted air than the city on Tuesday afternoon.
The environmental agency of São Paulo state declared the metropolitan area’s air quality on Tuesday to be extremely poor, and it recommended that people keep their doors and windows closed, avoid strenuous outdoor exercise, and drink plenty of water.
According to actress Ingrid Camboí, she finds it difficult to engage in physical activities while out on the streets. “I’m not even opening my house’s balcony because the poor quality of the air seriously compromises my health. “.
Social media users were alarmed by the smoke that obscured the view of buildings in the distance, as Brazilian pop singer Marina Sena expressed in a video posted from her window overlooking Sao Paulo.
“Where you live, there is a persistent haze and layer of smoke in the sky. An atmosphere devoid of oxygen. She exclaimed, “What the hell is going on?”. Gentlemen, I think we should go back twenty steps.
. “.
