Environmental Concerns Emerge Over Amazon Highway Built for COP30
A new highway in the Amazon is being built for COP30, drawing criticism from locals and environmentalists for its devastating impacts on the rainforest and local communities. While the state government claims the project is sustainable, many fear increased deforestation and disruption of wildlife habitats. Local voices express the need for their concerns to be heard amidst the preparations for the climate summit.
A new four-lane highway is being constructed through the Amazon rainforest to facilitate access to Belém, Brazil, for the upcoming COP30 climate summit. Planned to accommodate over 50,000 attendees, the state government claims the highway is environmentally sustainable. However, local communities and environmental activists criticize its adverse effects on the rainforest and biodiversity, arguing that this deforestation contradicts the summit’s climate objectives.
The highway project has already resulted in significant clearing of the rainforest, with logs stacked high over an area extending more than 13 kilometers (8 miles) into the natural habitat. Construction machinery is actively disturbing the ecosystem, leading to concerns about future deforestation, particularly as the area becomes more accessible to businesses.
Residents like Claudio Verequete, who lived nearby and relied on the açaí berry harvest, express deep frustration over the destruction of their livelihoods. He reports not receiving compensation and worries that increased commercial access will lead to further environmental degradation. The residents of his community fear displacement due to potential business expansions fueled by the highway’s construction.
The ecological ramifications of building the highway are alarming to scientists; it creates fragmentation within the protected forest and disrupts wildlife movement. Wildlife veterinarian Prof. Silvia Sardinha notes the loss of available land for reintroducing rehabilitated animals, which threatens local biodiversity.
The Brazilian government frames the summit as an opportunity to show global commitment to the Amazon, but critiques highlight that local voices are often overlooked in favor of high-level discussions among officials and businesses. The Pará state government’s plan for the highway, dubbed Avenida Liberdade, had been stalled due to environmental concerns since 2012 but gained traction alongside other infrastructure improvements intended for the summit.
Adler Silveira, the state infrastructure secretary, describes the highway as important for modernizing the city and ensuring a positive legacy for future residents. Promising features include wildlife crossings and bike lanes, alongside wider development initiatives such as airport expansion and public parks aimed at enhancing the city’s appeal.
Local business owners see the development as beneficial, citing increased customer traffic and economic growth. Entrepreneurs like Dalci Cardoso da Silva and João Alexandre Trindade da Silva hope for tangible outcomes from the summit discussions, emphasizing the necessity for real actions that improve environmental conditions in the future. However, there remains skepticism about whether the extensive preparations might contradict the environmental objectives of the climate summit itself, particularly due to the carbon footprint of hosting such an event.
The construction of the highway through the Amazon for COP30 raises significant environmental and ethical concerns, as it contradicts the summit’s stated goals of fighting climate change and preserving biodiversity. While government officials tout infrastructure improvements as beneficial for local development, the voices of affected communities and environmental experts highlight the potential dangers of further deforestation and ecological disruption. There is a pressing need to ensure that the climate summit yields effective actions that honor both the needs of the Amazon and the rights of its inhabitants.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
