A geopolítica do petróleo: as ameaças ao meio ambiente e seus reflexos para a Marinha do Brasil

Abstract

Oil is still one of the main fuels in the world economy, being the main component of the energy matrix of many countries. Petroleum Geopolitics still moves the world and Brazil, as a major producer of this input, has an important role in establishing exploration and sustainable development policies. On the other hand, concern for the environment and the sustainable and clean exploitation of living and non-living resources has been an increasingly frequent theme in the main world forums that deal with the environment. The concern to establish preventive measures against incidents causing oil pollution has also been the focus of the main International Organizations, such as the United Nations and the International Maritime Organization. Brazil has an extensive area, rich in natural resources, known as Blue Amazon, in which around 95% of our oil is extracted, which must be defended and protected. Even so, several incidents caused enormous environmental and financial damage, bringing sometimes irreparable impacts on the environment. The most recent happened in Brazil, when a large oil spill hit the Brazilian coast in 2019. In this incident, the Brazilian Navy played a relevant role in the structure of combating pollution, as it led the Monitoring and Evaluation Group, according to with the structure provided for in the National Contingency Plan for Oil Pollution Incidents. Several lessons were collected in the actions taken that will serve for future improvements to the laws and regulations in force. The objective of this work is to identify the main lessons learned, opportunities for improvement and perspectives for the Brazilian Navy in future events of the same nature. The methodology used was scientific deductive, inductive and qualitative, with documentary research, analysis of real cases and the use of interviews. Finally, it was concluded that the increase in Maritime Awareness within society is essential for understanding the preservation of the maritime environment, for the establishment of sustainable development measures and for the understanding of the importance of the Brazilian Navy in the protection and safety of Brazilian Jurisdictional Waters. In addition, it is essential that Brazil has an efficient Monitoring System, capable of covering the entire Blue Amazon. The lessons learned from the 2019 incident have already been consolidated in a report by the Brazilian Navy and some improvement actions are already being taken. The national laws and norms that deal with the subject are in compliance with the international regulations, but adjustments and modernizations still need to be inserted, as well as some International Conventions still need to be accepted by the Brazilian Laws.