Brazil is constructing the Avenida Liberdade highway for COP30, leading to significant deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. The project aims to alleviate traffic congestion in Belém but faces criticism from residents and experts regarding ecological impacts and livelihoods. While government officials seek to present the highway as a sustainable development, many argue it undermines the very goals of the climate summit.
Brazil is preparing to host the COP30, the United Nations’ annual climate summit, scheduled from November 10 to November 21 in Belém. With approximately 50,000 attendees expected, including numerous world leaders, it is ironic that substantial sections of protected Amazon rainforest are currently being cleared to construct a highway for this significant climate event.
The new four-lane highway, referred to as Avenida Liberdade or ‘Avenue of Liberty,’ is intended to alleviate traffic congestion in Belém, which has a population exceeding two million. According to the Para government’s official site, the highway will feature two lanes of traffic in each direction and will connect two existing road networks, serving as a major entry and exit route for the Belém Metropolitan Region. Over 13 kilometers of rainforest are being cleared to facilitate this project, with about 20 percent of the construction completed as of November 2024.
Claudio Verequete, a resident residing near the highway construction, lamented the destruction of açaí berry trees that once supported his livelihood. He expressed his concerns regarding potential future development pressures on his community, stating, “Everything was destroyed. Our harvest has already been cut down.” Despite his losses, he has received no governmental compensation and is resorting to his savings to survive.
Defending the highway project, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who champions rainforest conservation, suggested that COP30 would be “a COP in the Amazon, not a COP about the Amazon.” He hinted that the summit would emphasize the needs of the Amazon rather than merely its challenges. Adler Silveira, secretary of the state’s infrastructure, labeled the project a significant intervention for mobility, asserting it would be a “sustainable highway” with features such as wildlife crossings, bike lanes, and solar lighting.
However, experts remain skeptical about the claims of sustainable development. Professor Silvia Sardinha from a local animal hospital highlighted the immediate loss of habitat due to deforestation, emphasizing that both land and wildlife would suffer. She asserted, “We are going to lose an area to release these animals back into the wild, the natural environment of these species.” Additionally, Professor Rachael Garrett noted that such highway developments often lead to an alarming increase in deforestation patterns.
The Amazon rainforest, which is immense—about twice the size of India—plays a critical role in climate regulation by storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide. This region, housing 20 percent of the world’s fresh water and a rich diversity of flora and fauna, stands at a significant ecological crossroads during this pivotal year for climate politics, as nations are expected to renew their greenhouse gas emissions commitments at COP30.
Importantly, civic groups are particularly eager to engage with the proceedings in Brazil, as the country allows for demonstrations and freedoms that were severely restricted in prior COP host nations, thus raising optimism about more equitable discussions.
The construction of the Avenida Liberdade highway for the upcoming COP30 in Brazil presents a juxtaposition of intentions, as extensive deforestation occurs to facilitate this climate summit. Despite governmental assurances of sustainable development, local residents and experts express concern over habitat loss and the impact on livelihoods within the Amazon. This situation underscores the complex dynamics of climate advocacy and environmental stewardship in an age of urgent climate challenges.
Original Source: www.firstpost.com
