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Studies about socio-environmental determinants are recognized as important to better understand the factors that influence health and quality of life, and how they operate to generate inequalities. This article reports the mapping of socio-environmental determinants of health, carried out by community health agents from the community of Paraisópolis, the second-largest slum in the city of São Paulo (state of São Paulo), seeking to analyze potential contributions of this participatory process to urban management and planning. As part of an action research study and following the stages of Paulo Freire’s Research Itinerary (Culture Circles), the mapping was carried out by integrating the Talking Map technique with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), in what has been called Participatory GIS or Geographic Information Systems with Social Participation (PGIS). Positive aspects were recognized and addressed by community agents, as well as several situations of socio-environmental vulnerability as a result of the agglomerated nature of the place, directly related to urban management and planning needs. This shows that, through a participatory mapping process, citizens cannot only better identify, but also more effectively communicate their needs and qualify intervention strategies in the territory. Therefore, it is possible to address the residents’ priorities more representatively, especially in places where traditionally marginalized social groups live. And also, community health agents, who play a central role in this research process because they live and work in the same place, are fundamental to boost, mobilize, and support the complex aspects involved, both in Primary Health Care, as well as in urban management and planning.

In the last decade, the debate on the governance of water, energy, and food (WEF) has intensified, spurring the emergence of the term “nexus governance.” In general, the reduction of trade-offs and construction of synergies between WEF have been placed on the scientific, political, and economic agenda. However, although increasingly used, it is difficult to find a clear meaning and definition of what the term represents. Based on a systematic literature review (SLR), using text-mining and machine learning algorithms, this article investigates what are the conceptual basis of the nexus governance debate, and attempts to clarify the main themes, networks, and gaps within this literature. The analysis is based on quantitative and qualitative methods, combining social network analysis (SNA) and discourse analysis (DA). The results highlighted that twenty-four governance-related concepts support this literature, breaking down into eight groups: water and basin governance; environmental and systems governance; risk and resource security governance; economic governance; global governance; urban governance; integrative and cooperative governance; and “epistemic” and transdisciplinary governance.

Palm oil production for biodiesel in Brazil is characterized by its high productivity in some environmental conditions, under the Sustainable Palm Oil Production Program. The program seeks to avoid deforestation for oil palm cultivation, recover degraded lands, and focus on social inclusion and family farming. This paper assesses the possible socio-environmental impacts of the expansion of palm oil until 2030, focusing on land-use change and impacts. Land-use data came from the TerraClass initiative for the analysis of degraded forests using geoprocessing. We produced two oil expansion scenarios. The first one reflects current trends in palm oil production expansion and deforestation in Pará State (S1). The second one considers the exclusive use of deforested/degraded land for oil palm crops (S2). The results demonstrate that degraded/deforested land in the current palm oil-producing municipalities is only sufficient for the projected level of expansion for 2020, requiring a stronger public policy to recover degraded areas for oil palm cultivation with social inclusion of family farming.

A abordagem do nexo urbano corresponde à compreensão e à busca de soluções integradas mediante o reconhecimento das interdependências entre água, energia e alimentos, recursos cuja escassez configura iniquidades em saúde. A hipótese central deste artigo considera que o contexto de escassez corrobora práticas sociais que podem ser sinérgicas ou contraditórias em relação aos desafios da sustentabilidade e dos direitos sociais. O objetivo é investigar sinergias e contradições a partir de práticas sociais mediante o nexo urbano no bairro Novo Recreio, na cidade de Guarulhos, Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil. A metodologia consiste em um estudo qualitativo e de base etnográfica com referência à Teoria das Práticas, com observações diretas de campo e narrativas. Os resultados apresentaram práticas sociais associadas a falta sistemática de água, precariedades na iluminação pública e no transporte, bem como dificuldade de acesso a alimentos frescos e saudáveis. O estudo das práticas sociais entre sinergias e contradições permitiu verificar que, nesse processo espontâneo de busca de solução para problemas locais, é constatada a necessidade de integrar práticas e saberes locais a políticas públicas e demandas globais. Com isso, denominamos nexos de exclusão a condição periférica de impossibilidade de opções conscientes que permitam orientar conjuntamente a redução da escassez e de iniquidades com alternativas para a sustentabilidade. El abordaje del nexo urbano se corresponde con la comprensión y búsqueda de soluciones integradas, mediante el reconocimiento de las interdependencias entre agua, energía, alimentos y recursos, cuya escasez configura inequidades en salud. La hipótesis central de este artículo considera que el contexto de escasez corrobora prácticas sociales que pueden ser sinérgicas o contradictorias, a través de los desafíos en sostenibilidad y derechos sociales. Los objetivos son investigar sinergias y contradicciones, a partir de prácticas sociales mediante el nexo urbano en el barrio Novo Recreio, en la ciudad de Guarulhos, región metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil. La metodología consiste en un estudio cualitativo y de base etnográfica, vinculado a la teoría de las prácticas, analizando observaciones de campo directas y relatos. Los resultados presentaron prácticas sociales asociadas a la falta sistemática de agua, precariedad en la iluminación pública y el transporte, dificultad de acceso a alimentos frescos y saludables. El estudio de las prácticas sociales entre sinergias y contradicciones permitió verificar que, en ese proceso espontáneo de búsqueda de soluciones para problemas locales, se constata la necesidad de integrar prácticas y saberes locales con políticas públicas y demandas globales. De esta forma, denominamos nexos de exclusión a las condiciones periféricas de imposibilidad, en cuanto a opciones conscientes que permitan orientar conjuntamente la reducción de la escasez e iniquidades con alternativas para la sostenibilidad. The urban nexus approach involves the investigation and elucidation of integrated solutions through the recognition of tradeoffs between water, energy, and food, namely resources whose shortage leads to inequalities in health. The article’s central hypothesis is that the context of shortage corroborates social practices that can be synergic or contradictory in relation to the challenges of sustainability and social rights. The objective is to investigate synergies and contradictions based on social practices in the urban nexus in the neighborhood of Novo Recreio in the city of Guarulhos, Greater Metropolitan São Paulo, Brazil. The methodology consists of a qualitative ethnographic study drawing on practice theory as the reference, with direct field observations and narratives. The results featured social practices associated with systematic lack of water, precarious public lighting and transportation, and difficult access to fresh and healthy foods. The study of social practices between synergies and contradictions allowed verifying that this spontaneous process of search for solutions to local problems reveals the need to incorporate local practices and knowledge into public policies and global demands. We define nexus of exclusion as the peripheral condition of impossibility of conscious options that allow jointly orienting the reduction of shortage and iniquities through alternatives for sustainability.

This paper maps the availability of deforested and degraded land in the state of Para in the eastern Amazon and discusses the feasibility of using this land for the expansion of palm crops for biod ...

The urban nexus approach involves the investigation and elucidation of integrated solutions through the recognition of tradeoffs between water, energy, and food, namely resources whose shortage leads to inequalities in health. The article's central hypothesis is that the context of shortage corroborates social practices that can be synergic or contradictory in relation to the challenges of sustainability and social rights. The objective is to investigate synergies and contradictions based on social practices in the urban nexus in the neighborhood of Novo Recreio in the city of Guarulhos, Greater Metropolitan São Paulo, Brazil. The methodology consists of a qualitative ethnographic study drawing on practice theory as the reference, with direct field observations and narratives. The results featured social practices associated with systematic lack of water, precarious public lighting and transportation, and difficult access to fresh and healthy foods. The study of social practices between synergies and contradictions allowed verifying that this spontaneous process of search for solutions to local problems reveals the need to incorporate local practices and knowledge into public policies and global demands. We define nexus of exclusion as the peripheral condition of impossibility of conscious options that allow jointly orienting the reduction of shortage and iniquities through alternatives for sustainability.A abordagem do nexo urbano corresponde à compreensão e à busca de soluções integradas mediante o reconhecimento das interdependências entre água, energia e alimentos, recursos cuja escassez configura iniquidades em saúde. A hipótese central deste artigo considera que o contexto de escassez corrobora práticas sociais que podem ser sinérgicas ou contraditórias em relação aos desafios da sustentabilidade e dos direitos sociais. O objetivo é investigar sinergias e contradições a partir de práticas sociais mediante o nexo urbano no bairro Novo Recreio, na cidade de Guarulhos, Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil. A metodologia consiste em um estudo qualitativo e de base etnográfica com referência à Teoria das Práticas, com observações diretas de campo e narrativas. Os resultados apresentaram práticas sociais associadas a falta sistemática de água, precariedades na iluminação pública e no transporte, bem como dificuldade de acesso a alimentos frescos e saudáveis. O estudo das práticas sociais entre sinergias e contradições permitiu verificar que, nesse processo espontâneo de busca de solução para problemas locais, é constatada a necessidade de integrar práticas e saberes locais a políticas públicas e demandas globais. Com isso, denominamos nexos de exclusão a condição periférica de impossibilidade de opções conscientes que permitam orientar conjuntamente a redução da escassez e de iniquidades com alternativas para a sustentabilidade.El abordaje del nexo urbano se corresponde con la comprensión y búsqueda de soluciones integradas, mediante el reconocimiento de las interdependencias entre agua, energía, alimentos y recursos, cuya escasez configura inequidades en salud. La hipótesis central de este artículo considera que el contexto de escasez corrobora prácticas sociales que pueden ser sinérgicas o contradictorias, a través de los desafíos en sostenibilidad y derechos sociales. Los objetivos son investigar sinergias y contradicciones, a partir de prácticas sociales mediante el nexo urbano en el barrio Novo Recreio, en la ciudad de Guarulhos, región metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil. La metodología consiste en un estudio cualitativo y de base etnográfica, vinculado a la teoría de las prácticas, analizando observaciones de campo directas y relatos. Los resultados presentaron prácticas sociales asociadas a la falta sistemática de agua, precariedad en la iluminación pública y el transporte, dificultad de acceso a alimentos frescos y saludables. El estudio de las prácticas sociales entre sinergias y contradicciones permitió verificar que, en ese proceso espontáneo de búsqueda de soluciones para problemas locales, se constata la necesidad de integrar prácticas y saberes locales con políticas públicas y demandas globales. De esta forma, denominamos nexos de exclusión a las condiciones periféricas de imposibilidad, en cuanto a opciones conscientes que permitan orientar conjuntamente la reducción de la escasez e iniquidades con alternativas para la sostenibilidad.

The contemporary urbanization model is characterized by unsustainability and environmental injustice as well as social and cognitive exclusion. The search for sustainability and resilience demands better structures of social inclusion and governance to deal with multi-layer determinants and so, it is imperative to promote social participation in decision-making and urban planning. In this chapter we focus on the potentiality of Participatory Geographic Information Systems (PGIS) in terms of fostering social learning and participation, combining spatial, technical and social knowledge and addressing sustainability and resilience issues. A review of PGIS application research findings showed that 25% of PGIS research is applied to urban studies in general, and to natural disasters in cities, such as floods and landslides. According to the review, the PGIS, through the mapping process, that includes social learning and dialogue and aims to apply the ecology of knowledge concept, presents advantages in social engagement when compared to other social participation tools. It has great potentiality to educate and empower citizens, providing better governance and urban scenarios and, therefore, promoting healthier and resilient cities.

Biodiesel development in Brazil is a key factor for the environment and sustainable development of the country, especially palm oil due to its high productivity when compared with other oil seeds. Palm oil production in Brazil is about to increase and the government has launched programs in order to plan this expansion in a sustainable way by avoiding deforestation, focusing on social inclusion and directing crops only to degraded land. Brazil has plenty of degraded land as well as suitable environmental conditions; however, deforestation is a big concern and, because of that, strong land-use management criteria are necessary. This paper assesses the palm oil status in Brazil, focusing on Para state, and also looks at future expansion, taking into account new government policies. This paper develops a discussion regarding land availability and distribution in the hot spot of palm oil production, as well as related impacts.

Biofuels development in Brazil is a key factor for the environment and sustainable development of the country. Brazil has great potential of available areas and has favourable climate and geography for biofuel production, such as palm oil, soy, sugar cane, etc. This research aims to evaluate palm oil production and expansion in Pará state, in the north of Brazil and also Amazonian territory. Degraded land will be evaluated through remote sensing, because palm oil crops should be placed in these lands, and secondly, expansion scenarios would be created. This research will be a decision support tool for public policies.

Este trabalho utilizou técnicas de Sistemas de Informação Geográfica (SIGs), mais especificamente o modelo AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process), para avaliar a suscetibilidade aos movimentos de massa nos entornos dos polidutos de Cubatão (SP). Neste trecho da Serra do Mar, os principais movimentos de massa são os escorregamentos translacionais, devido às características geológicas e geomorfológicas presentes, aliadas à degradação da vegetação e à alta pluviosidade. Aspectos geológicos, geomorfológicos e de vegetação foram obtidos para a área de estudo, através de mapeamentos existentes, caracterizando os principais condicionantes do processo a ser analisado. Foram elaborados os mapas temáticos correspondentes aos condicionantes, que foram integrados em ambiente SIG, através do modelo AHP, que realiza uma soma ponderada dos condicionantes citados acima, atribuindo-se a eles pesos maiores ou menores, dependendo de sua influência na deflagração do processo em questão. O produto final foi uma Carta de Suscetibilidade aos Escorregamentos Translacionais, nos entornos dos polidutos de Cubatão, que possibilitou a análise da adequação dos métodos empregados, bem como da utilidade do mapa obtido na avaliação de áreas mais críticas nos dutos existentes e no planejamento de futuras malhas dutoviárias.

Introdução: Apesar da mineração existir no Brasil há mais de 300 anos, marcando principalmente a história do estado de Minas Gerais, muitas pessoas souberam que este tipo de atividade é comum em território nacional somente a partir do rompimento de barragens nas cidades de Mariana e Brumadinho, respectivamente nos anos de 2015 e 2019. Objetivo: Compreender o processo pelo qual os ribeirinhos atingidos por tragédias da mineração no Brasil entre os anos de 2015 a 2019 recompõem suas vidas, com uma contribuição etnográfica em uma cidade capixaba. Além disso, pretende-se também compreender como, no período do estudo, o Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens (MAB) fortalece seu protagonismo e militância atuando junto aos moradores, seja por meio da mídia, registros visuais, narrativas ou construção da memória social do movimento. Método: revisão bibliográfica, pesquisa documental, observação, realização de entrevistas com militantes do Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens (MAB), registros visuais e registros etnográficos. Resultados: A economia mineral do Estado de Minas Gerais conta com os altos lucros gerados nos últimos anos devido às atividades do setor na exportação de matéria prima. Entre as quinze cidades mineiras que receberam maior CFEM no ano de 2017, Mariana e Brumadinho, terras onde as maiores tragédias ambientais ocorreram nos últimos anos, ocupam respectivamente, a 5ª e a 8ª colocação. Enquanto Minas Gerais recebe grandes compensações financeiras pela exploração de seus recursos, muitos outros municípios de seu estado vizinho, o Espírito Santo, que viram as águas do rio Doce serem cobertas por lama devido ao desastre de Mariana, continuam esquecidos e buscando soluções aos diversos problemas causados à população ribeirinha. Considerações finais: Todas as promessas de revisão de barragens, novas tecnologias, promessas do ponto de vista legal, de política pública, continuam no papel, sem solução para os afetados pelas tragédias. As empresas no entanto, continuaram a crescer do ponto de vista econômico e a criar novas parcerias no mercado nacional e internacional. O dinheiro recebido como recurso da CFEM precisa libertar os municípios da extração de minério. Se sabemos todos os malefícios trazidos por esta atividade, precisamos considerar as circunstâncias e buscar o que cada região apresenta por vocação. Cada local tem suas especificidades, seus modos de vida. Introduction: Although mining existis in Brazil for more than 300 years, mainly marking the history of the state of Minas Gerais, many people have known that this type of activity is common in national territory only from the breaking of dams in the cities of Mariana and Brumadinho, respectively in the years 2015 and 2019. Objective: To understand the process by which riverine people affected by mining tragedies in Brazil from 2015 to 2019 recompose their lives, with an ethnographic contribution in a city in Espírito Santo. In addition, it is also intended to understand how, during the study period, the Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens (Movement of People Affected by Dams) (MAB) strengthens its role and militancy by working with residents, whether through the media, visual records, narratives or the construction of the social memory of the movement. Method: Bibliographic review, documental research, observation, interviews with militants from the Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens (Movement of People Affected by Dams) (MAB), visual records and ethnographic records. Results: The mineral economy of the State of Minas Gerais has the highest profits generated in recent years due to the activities in the sector\'s exportation of raw materials. Among the fifteen mining towns that received the highest CFEM in 2017, Mariana and Brumadinho, lands where the greatest environmental tragedies occurred in recent years, occupy, respectively, the 5th and 8th places. While Minas Gerais receives large financial compensation for the exploitation of its resources, many other counties in its neighboring state, Espírito Santo, which have seen the waters of Rio Doce being covered by mud due to the Mariana disaster, remain forgotten and seeking solutions to various problems caused to the riverside population. Final considerations: All promises to revise dams, new technologies, promises from the legal point of view, public policy, remain on paper, with no solution for those affected by the tragedies. However, companies continued to grow economically and create new partnerships in the national and international markets. The money received as a CFEM resource needs to free the counties from mining extraction. If we know all the harm caused by this activity, we need to consider the circumstances and find out what each region has as vocation. Each place has its specificities, its ways of life.