Digital against the tide. Tech and policy through the climate crisis

When catastrophic floods struck Brazil’s state of Rio Grande do Sul in May 2024, the devastation was swift and far-reaching. Nearly 200 lives were lost, hundreds of thousands were displaced, and critical infrastructure - from roads to water systems - was brought to a standstill.

But in the eye of the storm, something else emerged: a remarkable story of how digital governance can respond to climate disaster.

In this podcast episode, we feature Gabriel Souza , Vice Governor of Rio Grande do Sul, who recounts how the regional government responded with digital adaptation, coordinated leadership, and institutional learning in the face of unprecedented crisis.

“We really innovated a lot,” he notes, reflecting on the urgency and innovation that emerged from the chaos. “We created a myriad of tools that are now part of the legacy of the crisis,” resulting from on-the-ground creativity under pressure.

A vivid example of how data, public trust, and agile governance structures can converge in a time of disaster to deliver solutions and reshape the future.

Tune in!