MUNICIPAL FORUM ON CLIMATE CHANGE: Challenges and Solutions for São Lourenço do Sul 1. Introduction to the Municipality São Lourenço do Sul is a municipality located in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, on the shores of the Lagoa dos Patos. With an estimated population of about 45,000 inhabitants, it bears a strong influence of German and Pomeranian colonization, reflected in its culture, language, and local festivities. Its economy is mainly based on agriculture, livestock, artisanal fishing, and tourism, particularly along the Pomeranian Route and the Costa Doce. 2. Climate Profile and Environmental Vulnerabilities São Lourenço do Sul has a temperate climate, with mild summers and cold winters. Average annual temperatures range from 10 °C to 29 °C, with rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year but more intense between June and September. The municipality faces vulnerabilities such as flooding, strong winds, coastal erosion, and changes in the hydrological regime, which affect sectors such as tourism, fishing, and agriculture. 3. Potential Impacts of Climate Change * **Water resources:** risk of rising lagoon levels, flooding, and salinization of coastal areas. * **Agriculture:** climate variability affects planting calendars and productivity. * **Fishing:** changes in aquatic ecosystems may reduce species diversity and catch volumes. * **Tourism:** extreme weather events may compromise infrastructure and natural attractions. 4. Context of the Climate Forum The event aligns with the guidelines of the Rio Grande do Sul State Climate Change Forum, created to coordinate public policies on adaptation and mitigation across municipalities. The Forum aims to bring together public authorities, the productive sector, universities, and civil society to discuss regional solutions to climate challenges, with a special focus on coastal and rural areas. 5. Local Action Proposals * Monitoring of water resources and adaptive coastal planning. * Promotion of low-carbon agriculture and agroecological systems. * Strengthening climate-resilient infrastructure. * Integrating environmental education with local culture (e.g., the Pomeranian Route). * Encouraging sustainable and responsible tourism. 6. Event Objective The Forum’s main objective is to promote dialogue among different sectors of society on the effects of climate change in São Lourenço do Sul. It seeks to identify local impacts, share scientific and traditional knowledge, and build collaborative proposals for adaptation and mitigation in response to extreme climate events, contributing to the development of more effective and participatory public policies. 7. Target Audience The event is aimed at farmers, fishers, community leaders, students, teachers, researchers, rural extension technicians, public managers, representatives of non-governmental organizations, entrepreneurs in the tourism and environmental sectors, and all citizens interested in building a local climate agenda. 8. Potential Participants and Partners * Municipal Government of São Lourenço do Sul * Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG) * Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) * State Secretariat for the Environment and Infrastructure (SEMA/RS) * Rio Grande do Sul Climate Change Forum * Family farming and fishing cooperatives * Cultural associations (Pomeranian, Indigenous, Quilombola) * Environmental NGOs and social movements * Public and private schools * Civil Defense and Fire Department * Local companies committed to sustainability