Deforestation for COP30: The Controversial Construction of Avenida Liberdade in the Amazon

As Brazil gears up for COP30, environmental concerns mount over the ongoing deforestation of the Amazon rainforest for the construction of Avenida Liberdade, a highway intended to facilitate traffic for the summit. Despite governmental assurances about sustainability, experts and local residents voice significant doubts about the project’s ecological implications and the marginalization of community voices. The forthcoming summit underscores urgent commitments to combat climate change as a critical global issue.

Brazil is set to host the COP30, the UN’s climate summit, in November 2024, expecting attendance of around 50,000 people, including numerous world leaders. This summit, taking place from November 10 to November 21 in Belém, has revealed an unsettling irony: extensive areas of protected Amazon rainforest are being destroyed to facilitate road construction for the event.

The construction of a four-lane highway, named Avenida Liberdade, is being undertaken to ease traffic in Belém, a city of over two million residents. This highway is designed to connect existing road systems and create new access routes for the metropolitan region, spanning more than 13 kilometers. As of late November 2024, approximately 20 percent of the construction has been completed, with heavy machinery operating in the forest.

Local residents, such as Claudio Verequete, whose livelihood depended on harvesting açaí berries from nearby trees, express deep concern over the destruction. “Everything was destroyed. Our harvest has already been cut down,” he lamented, highlighting the financial impact on his family. Under these circumstances, he fears for their future and the potential encroachment of further urban development into their community.

In defense of the project, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva proclaimed the summit would emphasize the needs of the Amazon rather than merely focusing on its protection. He asserted that COP30 would showcase the Brazilian government’s efforts to safeguard the rainforest. The state government’s infrastructure secretary, Adler Silveira, has characterized the highway as a sustainable initiative, aimed at enhancing mobility while incorporating features like wildlife crossings, bike lanes, and solar lighting.

However, experts express skepticism regarding these claims. Professor Silvia Sardinha from a university animal hospital near the highway stated that deforestation invariably leads to ecological loss, as it restricts animal habitats and their natural movements. Critics argue that decisions affecting the Amazon are made at high levels, while local voices remain unheard.

Additionally, Rachael Garrett, an expert in conservation at Cambridge University, warned that road construction could precipitate a detrimental pattern of deforestation in the Amazon. This rainforest region, which is twice the size of India, plays a critical role in carbon storage and climate regulation, as well as housing an impressive array of biodiversity and fresh water resources.

Notably, COP30 represents a significant milestone as countries are called to renew their commitments towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Civic organizations are particularly eager to attend due to Brazil’s more permissive stance on protests compared to the repressive environments of recent summit locations: Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt.

In conclusion, the construction of the Avenida Liberdade highway in Brazil highlights a complex and concerning contradiction as the nation prepares to host the COP30 climate summit. With significant environmental impacts on the Amazon rainforest, the project raises questions about the true commitment to sustainability and the voices of local communities. While the Brazilian government promotes the summit as a step towards showcasing actions taken for the Amazon, experts and residents alike warn of the ecological consequences and the urgency of addressing climate change responsibly. Ultimately, COP30 could serve as a pivotal moment for both international collaboration and local advocacy in conservation efforts.

Original Source: www.firstpost.com