Brazil’s COP30 summit will take place in Belém, yet significant rainforest is being cleared for a highway. Local residents express concerns over lost livelihoods and environmental impact, while government officials defend the project as essential. Experts raise alarms about ecological consequences, underscoring the paradox within climate action discussions.
Brazil is preparing to host the COP30, the UN’s climate summit, expected to attract around 50,000 participants, including numerous world leaders. The event is scheduled to take place in Belém from November 10 to 21. However, in a striking contradiction, significant deforestation of protected Amazon rainforest is occurring to construct a highway intended to facilitate access to the summit.
The proposed highway, named Avenida Liberdade or ‘Avenue of Liberty,’ spans tens of thousands of acres and aims to reduce congestion in Belém, a city with over 2 million residents. This four-lane roadway will have two lanes in each direction and connect with existing road systems as part of improving mobility for the Belém Metropolitan Region. Approximately 13 kilometers of land have been cleared for its construction, and as of November 2024, only 20% of the work has been completed.
Locals such as Claudio Verequete, who once relied on açaí berry harvesting, express concern over the impacts of the highway’s construction. He lamented the loss of income and voiced fears about future development encroaching on their community. He stated, “Everything was destroyed. Our harvest has already been cut down. We no longer have that income to support our family,” emphasizing the desperation felt by those affected by the construction.
In defense of the highway project, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who promotes himself as a protector of the rainforest, asserted that COP30 would highlight the importance of the Amazon. He stated that it will be “a COP in the Amazon, not a COP about the Amazon.” Furthermore, officials like Adler Silveira, the state’s infrastructure secretary, categorize the project as a necessary and sustainable initiative, including features such as wildlife crossings and bike lanes.
However, experts remain skeptical of these claims. Professor Silvia Sardinha, a wildlife veterinarian, warned about the loss of wildlife habitats, stating, “From the moment of deforestation, there is a loss.” She asserted that the development would negatively impact animals’ natural environments. Furthermore, Rachael Garrett, a conservation professor at the University of Cambridge, highlighted the risk of a detrimental pattern of deforestation occurring as a consequence of the highway.
The Amazon, which houses two-thirds of the world’s largest rainforest, plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by storing carbon and supplying significant fresh water and biodiversity. Ironically, COP30 presents an opportunity for nations to present updated commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, especially as civic groups prepare to attend amid a context of previous host nations imposing restrictions on protests.
In summary, the construction of a highway through the Amazon rainforest for COP30 embodies a troubling irony, as it simultaneously aims to facilitate dialogue on climate action while exacerbating environmental degradation. Local communities are expressing their fears regarding the loss of livelihood, while experts highlight the broader ecological implications of deforestation. The situation underscores the complexity of addressing climate change amidst developmental needs and governance policies.
The construction of the Avenida Liberdade highway for COP30 highlights a stark contradiction between Brazil’s stated commitment to environmental protection and the reality of deforestation in the Amazon. Local communities face economic hardships as their livelihoods are destroyed, and experts warn of significant ecological consequences. The forthcoming summit represents an opportunity for global climate dialogues but also serves to spotlight critical issues surrounding environmental stewardship in the face of development.
Original Source: www.firstpost.com
