Brazil is preparing to host COP30 in Belém, with deforestation occurring for a new highway, termed Avenida Liberdade, designed to alleviate city congestion. Local residents face economic hardship due to tree loss while the government defends the project asserting its sustainability. Experts remain critical, citing significant environmental concerns associated with road construction within the Amazon.
Brazil is set to host the 30th session of the UN’s climate summit, COP30, in Belém from November 10 to November 21, expecting attendance from approximately 50,000 individuals, including various world leaders. However, there is a troubling contradiction as significant deforestation is occurring to build a new highway aimed at easing congestion in the populous city, raising environmental concerns.
The proposed highway, known as Avenida Liberdade, will span over 13 kilometers through protected areas of the Amazon rainforest and connect existing road networks to improve access to the Belém Metropolitan Region. Construction is already underway with heavy machinery clearing forested areas, and about 20% of the project is reported to be completed as of November 2024.
Local residents, like Claudio Verequete, have reported severe impacts on their livelihoods, stemming from the destruction of açaí palm trees, which previously provided their income. Verequete expressed frustration over the situation, noting, “Everything was destroyed,” and lamented that he had not received governmental compensation for his losses.
Despite the destruction, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has defended the highway, claiming it supports the objectives of COP30 by emphasizing the Amazon’s needs. He stated, “This will be a COP in the Amazon, not a COP about the Amazon.” State government officials classify the highway as a necessary mobility intervention and claim it includes features to support wildlife, such as crossings and bike lanes.
Conversely, experts have voiced skepticism regarding the project’s environmental benefits. Professor Silvia Sardinha warned about the long-term consequences of deforestation on local wildlife and habitats. Furthermore, Rachael Garrett from the University of Cambridge highlighted concerns about paving roads within the rainforest, predicting a detrimental “fishbone pattern” of deforestation.
The Amazon, covering an area twice the size of India, contains significant ecological and climatological resources, including vast stores of carbon and fresh water. This year marks a critical time for COP30, as nations are expected to announce renewed pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The openness of Brazil to protests and free expression may bring civic groups to the summit, contrasting with previous host countries’ restrictions on such activities.
In conclusion, as Brazil prepares for COP30, the dual narratives emerge of hosting a significant climate summit while simultaneously undertaking an infrastructure project that threatens the Amazon rainforest. The local communities’ grievances regarding the highway’s impact highlight the complexity and contradictions inherent in addressing climate change while fostering economic development. The outcome of COP30 may, therefore, frame a pivotal moment for international climate action amid the rich biodiversity of the Amazon region.
This article discusses Brazil’s upcoming COP30 climate summit and the simultaneous construction of a highway through the Amazon rainforest. While government officials argue that the project will facilitate access and benefit the region, local residents and experts express deep concern over environmental degradation and the loss of livelihoods. This situation highlights the contradictions in addressing climate issues amid development efforts. The summit serves as a crucial platform for renewed climate commitments and advocacy for local voices. The fate of the Amazon and its ecosystems remains a pressing concern as global attention focuses on Brazil’s actions leading up to and during COP30.
Original Source: www.firstpost.com
