A new highway is being built through the Amazon rainforest for the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil. While the state government claims it is sustainable, many locals and environmentalists oppose its detrimental effects on the ecosystem, including deforestation and habitat fragmentation. Business owners view the developments as opportunities, but concerns about environmental degradation and community displacement persist, highlighting a disconnect between high-level discussions and local realities.
A new four-lane highway is currently under construction through vast areas of protected Amazon rainforest to facilitate the COP30 climate summit set to take place in Belém, Brazil. This project aims to accommodate the expected influx of over 50,000 attendees, including global leaders, for the conference scheduled in November. While the state government claims the highway is “sustainable,” numerous locals and conservationists are raising alarm over its detrimental environmental consequences.
The Amazon rainforest plays a crucial role in carbon absorption and biodiversity preservation. Therefore, the extensive deforestation for this highway contradicts the mission of the climate summit. Presently, the cleared land stretches over 13 kilometers (8 miles), with logging operations evident alongside the construction site. Heavy machinery is actively working to develop the roadway, further threatening the fragile ecosystem it traverses.
Local resident Claudio Verequete, who lived near the construction site, expressed deep concerns over the destruction of his previous livelihood derived from açaí berry harvesting. “Everything was destroyed,” he lamented, indicating that his family now faces financial hardships without compensation from the state. Furthermore, he fears that the newly accessible region will invite additional deforestation for commercial developments in the future.
The road’s design leads to habitat fragmentation, which may hinder local wildlife movement. Prof. Silvia Sardinha, a wildlife veterinarian, warned that such disturbances would limit the natural habitat available for animal rehabilitation. “From the moment of deforestation, there is a loss,” she stated, emphasizing the irreversible impact on local biodiversity.
Despite these concerns, Brazilian officials assert that the summit will spotlight the Amazon’s needs and the federal efforts to protect it. However, Prof. Sardinha criticized the disconnect between high-level discussions and the realities of local inhabitants, stating that their voices remain unheard in these dialogues.
The project’s proposition, Avenida Liberdade, faced numerous delays due to environmental apprehensions since its initial conception in 2012. With the COP summit approaching, various infrastructure projects have now been revived in the name of modernization. Adler Silveira, the state’s infrastructure secretary, highlighted the highway’s anticipated benefits for mobility and noted its complementary features, such as wildlife crossings and solar lighting.
Additionally, Brazil’s federal government is allocating significant funds for infrastructural enhancements, including expanding airport capacity and creating parks. Some local business proprietors have acknowledged the potential economic advantages of the ongoing developments. “The city as a whole is being improved,” commented Dalci Cardoso da Silva, a shoe seller at the Ver-o-peso market.
However, concerns remain about the environmental impact of such developments, prompting calls for concrete actions beyond mere commitments to sustainability. Local vendor João Alexandre Trindade da Silva expressed hope that all decisions would be enacted in a way that positively impacts future generations. The underlying question persists, whether the attendance of thousands of global leaders and the accompanying infrastructural needs uphold the environmental values they are set to discuss.
The construction of a new highway through protected Amazon rainforest for the COP30 climate summit highlights the tension between development and environmental preservation. While the project aims to support the influx of global leaders and showcase modernization, it simultaneously raises critical concerns regarding deforestation, ecological disruption, and local community impacts. The voices of local residents and conservationists emphasize the need for a genuine commitment to environmental sustainability, beyond mere rhetoric, to ensure a legacy that truly benefits both the planet and its inhabitants.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
