A new highway is being constructed through the Amazon rainforest for the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, causing controversy over environmental impacts and local displacement. While officials promote the highway’s ‘sustainable’ benefits, local residents fear increased deforestation and habitat fragmentation. The potential for economic growth contrasts with ecological concerns, highlighting the need for careful consideration of environmental and community impacts.
The construction of a new four-lane highway through the protected Amazon rainforest has commenced in preparation for the COP30 climate summit, to be held in Belém, Brazil, in November. This highway is designed to facilitate access for over 50,000 attendees, including global leaders. However, while the state government claims it is a “sustainable” initiative, many local residents and environmental advocates denounce the deforestation that will accompany its development as contradictory to the summit’s environmental goals.
Currently, the partially constructed highway spans over 13 kilometers (8 miles), with lush rainforests on each side as a stark reminder of the natural environment that has been sacrificed. Heavy machinery is actively clearing wetlands to pave the road, which will penetrate a designated protected area of the rainforest. Local resident Claudio Verequete expresses devastation over the loss of açaí palm trees from which he derived his livelihood, stating, “Everything was destroyed” as he gestures towards the destruction, expressing concern about the future repercussions of increased accessibility to the region.
Community members, unaware of any benefits from the new road, fear that it will pave the way for further deforestation and industrial encroachment. Verequete articulates a collective worry regarding potential future development that could force residents out of their homes. The divided highway will isolate protected forest areas, which ecological experts warn will lead to habitat fragmentation, hindering wildlife movement and reducing overall biodiversity.
Prof. Silvia Sardinha, a wildlife veterinarian and researcher, emphasizes the adverse impact of deforestation on animal rehabilitation efforts, highlighting the loss of natural habitats that are crucial for species’ survival. She remarks, “From the moment of deforestation, there is a loss,” indicating that animals will face increasing challenges as their environments are disrupted by ongoing construction.
Despite these concerns, Brazilian officials emphasize the significance of COP30 as a unique opportunity to address the challenges facing the Amazon. They assert efforts will focus on the needs of the rainforest itself, yet critics like Prof. Sardinha argue that local voices remain unheard amid high-level discussions. Previous environmental concerns had led to the shelving of the highway project, which state officials are now resurrecting, among other infrastructure projects, to prepare the city for the summit.
Adler Silveira, the infrastructure secretary of the state, characterizes the new highway as a pivotal development, stating it includes plans for wildlife crossings and enhanced public amenities, promoting it as a “sustainable highway”. Additionally, significant federal investments are being directed toward improving airport infrastructure and creating public parks to accommodate increased tourism due to the summit.
While some local business owners acknowledge that the development could usher in economic opportunities for Belém, others harbor concerns about the environmental implications. Dalci Cardoso da Silva, a stall owner in the city’s market, praises the improvements but also warns that unchecked growth could harm the area’s natural beauty. Community sentiments about the future remain cautious, with hopes that discussions initiated at the COP30 summit will ultimately yield concrete, beneficial actions towards environmental preservation.
The construction of a highway for the COP30 climate summit in Belém involves significant environmental concerns, particularly regarding deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. While government officials advocate for the project’s sustainability, community members and scientists raise alarms about habitat destruction and disrupted ecosystems. As stakeholders balance development with conservation, it remains crucial that the voices of local populations are heard in the process to ensure equitable, environmental solutions beneficial for both people and nature.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
