A four-lane highway is being constructed through the Amazon rainforest for the COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil, sparking outrage among residents and conservationists due to its detrimental environmental impact. While officials promote this development as sustainable, critics argue it undermines the summit’s objectives of protecting the Amazon’s vital ecosystem and addressing climate change. Local voices express concern over their livelihoods and the future of their community as infrastructure projects proceed.
A new four-lane highway is under construction in the Amazon rainforest, designed to facilitate traffic to the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, which will gather over 50,000 attendees, including global leaders. Despite claims of sustainability by the state government, many local residents and conservationists are alarmed at the detrimental environmental effects. This deforestation undermines the summit’s objectives as the Amazon is crucial for carbon absorption and biodiversity preservation.
Currently, the construction site reveals stark contrasts, with towering trees on either side of the newly cleared land that spans over 13 kilometers into the rainforest. Heavy machinery has begun to pave wetlands to create a route that disrupts protected areas. Residents, such as Claudio Verequete, express concern over the loss of their livelihoods from the impacted ecology and lack of compensation, fearing greater deforestation in the future.
Verequete, who previously earned a living through harvesting açaí berries, notes, “Everything was destroyed. Our harvest has already been cut down. We no longer have that income to support our family.” He worries that increased accessibility may lead to new developments that could displace his community. As the highway separates two sections of protected forest, scientists predict significant ecological disruption, which may hinder wildlife movement and breeding.
Professor Silvia Sardinha, a wildlife vet, highlights the adverse effects of deforestation on local ecosystems, stating, “From the moment of deforestation, there is a loss. We are going to lose an area to release these animals back into the wild, the natural environment of these species.” She describes the challenges rehabilitators may face in returning animals to habitats due to the highway’s presence.
The Brazilian government promotes this summit as an opportunity to spotlight the needs of the Amazon rather than merely addressing its challenges. However, Professor Sardinha asserts that residents’ voice remains absent amid high-level discussions concerning environmental policies affecting their area, despite the summit’s intentions.
Efforts to develop infrastructure such as Avenida Liberdade have resumed, previously halted due to environmental concerns. Adler Silveira, the state’s infrastructure secretary, affirms the highway’s potential, branding it a vital mobility project. He also emphasizes its features designed to support wildlife crossings, bike lanes, and enhanced transportation facilities.
The Brazilian federal government plans significant investments for the summit’s infrastructure, including airport expansion and the development of a new city park. Local business owners see potential in these improvements, anticipating increased economic activity as Belém modernizes in preparation for the summit. However, the looming question remains whether the environmental costs of such developments conflict with the climate summit’s aims.
In summary, the construction of the new highway in the Amazon rainforest for the COP30 summit raises significant environmental concerns among local residents and conservationists. While the state government promotes the project as sustainable and beneficial for economic growth, it fundamentally contradicts the climate summit’s goals, threatening biodiversity and community livelihoods. The ongoing discussions surrounding ecological protection and infrastructure development remain critical as stakeholders seek to balance human interests with environmental stewardship.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
