World Environmental Conservancy

Science, Ethics, and Climate: Carlos Nobre Appointed as Vatican Scientific Advisor

The recent appointment of Brazilian climatologist Carlos Nobre as a scientific advisor to the Vatican marks a significant moment at the intersection of science, global governance, and environmental ethics. This recognition not only highlights Nobre’s influential work but also reinforces the growing role of scientific expertise in shaping discussions within major global institutions.

Who is Carlos Nobre?
Carlos Nobre is one of the world’s foremost experts on climate change, with a distinguished career dedicated to understanding the Amazon and its critical role in the Earth’s climate system. His research has been central to advancing the concept of the Amazon’s “tipping point” — the threshold beyond which continued deforestation could transform large parts of the rainforest into savanna, with profound global consequences.
Through decades of scientific leadership, Nobre has contributed to international climate assessments and has been a strong advocate for sustainable development pathways that balance environmental protection with economic progress.

What Does This Appointment Mean?
By joining a scientific advisory body connected to the Vatican, Nobre will contribute to high-level reflections on climate change, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. This initiative signals a broader movement toward integrating scientific knowledge into ethical and societal decision-making frameworks.
The appointment also reflects an understanding that addressing complex global challenges requires collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and belief systems.

Science and Faith in Dialogue
Pope Francis has emerged as a prominent voice in environmental advocacy, particularly since the publication of the encyclical Laudato Si’. In this document, he calls for urgent action on climate change and emphasizes the moral responsibility of humanity to care for the planet.
The inclusion of leading scientists like Carlos Nobre in advisory roles demonstrates a commitment to grounding ethical discussions in robust scientific evidence, fostering a meaningful dialogue between science and faith.

Implications for Brazil
Nobre’s appointment carries important symbolic and practical implications for Brazil. It highlights the country’s scientific contributions on the global stage and brings renewed attention to the Amazon as a critical component of the Earth’s climate system.
At a time when climate issues are central to international policy debates, Brazil’s role — both as steward of the Amazon and as a source of scientific expertise — becomes increasingly significant.

A Broader Signal
More than an individual recognition, this appointment sends a clear message: tackling the climate crisis requires interdisciplinary collaboration, international cooperation, and a deep respect for scientific knowledge.

Amazon: The Rain Factory That Moves Billions

Scientific communication

A recent study published in the scientific journal Communications Earth & Environment estimated the economic value of the rainfall generated by the Amazon Rainforest, highlighting the importance of the forest not only for environmental balance but also for the Brazilian economy.

The research examined the role of the forest in the regional hydrological cycle, particularly through the process of evapotranspiration—when trees release water v***r into the atmosphere. This v***r contributes to cloud formation and precipitation that supply large regions of Brazil, including agricultural areas far beyond the Amazon itself.

Using satellite data and climate models, the researchers calculated the volume of rainfall associated with the presence of the forest and estimated its economic value based on the importance of water for agricultural production. The results indicate that rainfall generated by this natural system may represent around US$20 billion per year in economic benefits.

The authors emphasize that a large portion of Brazilian agriculture depends on natural rainfall, and that reductions in forest cover could significantly affect precipitation patterns. Therefore, the conservation of the Amazon directly contributes to maintaining agricultural productivity and economic stability in climate-dependent sectors.

The study reinforces the idea that the Amazon rainforest functions as a major climatic and hydrological regulator. Thus, beyond its ecological and biodiversity value, the standing forest plays a strategic role as a natural infrastructure essential for the country’s water and economic security.

References
BAKER, J. C. A. et al. The economic value of rainfall generated by the Amazon forest. Communications Earth & Environment, 2026.
NOBRE, A. D. The Future Climate of the Amazon: Scientific Assessment Report. São José dos Campos: National Institute for Space Research (INPE), 2014.
MARENGO, J. A.; SOUZA, C. M. Climate change and impacts in the Amazon. Brazilian Journal of Meteorology, 2018.

During the 2022–2023 Antarctic field campaign at the Criosfera 1 module, Brazilian polar science gained unexpected global visibility with the presence of actor Will Smith.

While filming the documentary series Pole to Pole with Will Smith, produced by National Geographic, Smith traveled to the remote interior of Antarctica to witness firsthand the scientific efforts underway at one of Brazil’s most important climate monitoring stations. Beyond observing, he actively engaged with the team during technical maintenance procedures at the automated module.

Working alongside:
• Heitor Evangelista, from the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)
• Heber Passos, from the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE)
• Franco Vilella, from the Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET)
he assisted in the replacement of the station’s wind turbine generator — vital for sustaining operations during the long polar winter — and a temperature sensor responsible for continuous atmospheric monitoring.

Located more than 2,500 km from the Antarctic coast, Criosfera 1 operates autonomously under extreme environmental conditions. The data collected there contribute significantly to understanding climate variability and long-term environmental change.

Will Smith’s participation helped bring significant international visibility to Brazilian science in Antarctica and to the Brazilian Antarctic Program (PROANTAR).

Photo: personal archive of Heber Passos.

The team (Franco Vilella/INMET, Heber Passos/INPE and Heitor Evangelista/UERJ) boarding the Twin-Otter, to return from Cryosphere1 (84°S) to the ALE Base Camp, Union Glacier Camp, at 79°S.

Photo source: Heber Passos' personal archive.