The Association of Scientific Researchers (APqC) has reported a concerning shortfall in scientific personnel within the Ministry of Environment, Infrastructure, and Logistics (Semil) in São Paulo, citing that there are only 123 active researchers while 158 positions remain unfilled. This information has been compiled from official government documents, indicating a significant gap in necessary staffing to tackle environmental challenges. The government of Tarcísio de Freitas has disputed these findings, asserting that the ministry currently employs 144 researchers and has 166 vacancies, highlighting a potential discrepancy in staffing numbers that could affect critical research areas.

Researchers in this ministry focus on vital areas including botany and geology, dealing with critical issues such as climate change, water availability, and risk mapping for floods and landslides. The government has noted that the last recruitment of researchers was over 20 years ago in 2005, which raises concerns about the current competency and preparedness levels to address pressing environmental and societal needs. This long gap in recruitment could lead to an accumulation of challenges that exacerbate the vulnerability of ecosystems and communities.

Helena Dutra Lutgens, president of APqC and a researcher at the Forest Institute, emphasizes the seriousness of the situation, particularly against the backdrop of recent declines in reservoir levels compared to the crisis faced in 2014. She advocates for immediate action to correct this staffing deficit, warning that ongoing neglect over the years has not only weakened research capabilities but also poses a significant risk to societal wellbeing and environmental sustainability in the state.