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An environmental explorer, pilot and engineer, Mr. Moss was born
in England but took Brazilian citizenship two decades ago. In
Brazil, he has dedicated all his efforts to promoting the
preservation and the rational use of water.
"I'm very surprised
and honoured to have been named for the MBE. However, I am fully
aware that this recognition is thanks not only to the work I did
in collaboration with several Brazilian scientists in the Waters
of Brazil and Flying Rivers projects, but also to the trust of
those in charge of the Petrobras Environmental Program," said
Moss.
The project involves an aerial expedition that follows the "flying
rivers," collecting water vapor to research how deforestation can
affect the weather and change the water cycle, particularly in
Southern and Southeastern Brazil. More research will be done to
determine the origin of the water vapor and calculate the volume
of water lifted into the atmosphere through leaf evaporation and
plant transpiration.
In an unprecedented initiative, Gérard Moss opted to use a balloon
to fly over the forest canopy, degraded areas and agricultural
regions to collect samples. "Ballooning is an excellent method for
getting closer to these areas for research purposes," he
explained. Climate change experts will also be able to use the
research data to validate their own results. |
