Climate analysis of the semi-arid region of Paraíba: Challenges and sustainable strategies

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze climatic trends in the semi-arid region of Paraiba by understanding changes in climatic variables over time and proposing adaptation and mitigation strategies to address the challenges posed by climate change, aiming to promote sustainable and resilient development in the region. The study area corresponds to the municipalities of Remígio, Esperança, Arara, Solânea, Lagoa Seca, São Sebastião de Lagoa de Roça, and Queimadas. Climatic variables such as Average Daily Temperature (C°), Precipitation (mm/day) and Evapotranspiration (mm/day) were obtained from the Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) through the tool also obtained in the study by Giovanni (2023). Descriptive statistics of climatic variables were performed, the Kendall test was used to assess the presence of temporal trends, and simple regression analysis was conducted to explore relationships between climatic variables. The climatic analyses indicated a decreasing trend in precipitation and evapotranspiration over time. This highlights the vulnerability of the semi-arid region of Paraiba to adverse climatic conditions, with potential impacts on available water resources. It is essential to implement policies and practical measures to address water scarcity, rising temperatures, and extreme events, thereby ensuring a more resilient and sustainable future for the semi-arid region of Paraiba.