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The Amazon rainforest is vital in the fight against climate change. Scientists warn that the new road cutting through the rainforest could have serious consequences on the ecosystem and disrupt the movement of wildlife
The highway is intended to alleviate traffic congestion expected during the COP30 summit in November with over 50,000 attendees including world leaders. (AP File)
A new four-lane highway is being carved through thousands of acres of protected Amazon rainforest in Belem, Brazil, sparking outrage among locals and environmentalists just months before the city hosts the COP30 climate summit in November.
The highway, intended to alleviate traffic congestion expected during the November summit with over 50,000 attendees including world leaders, is being touted by the state government as “sustainable” development.
However, the project has been met with fierce criticism, with many reportedly arguing that the destruction contradicts the very purpose of the climate conference. The Amazon rainforest plays a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide and fostering biodiversity, making its preservation vital in the fight against climate change.
Along the partially constructed highway, piles of logs lay strewn across cleared land, a stark reminder of the lush rainforest that once stood tall. The road, which stretches for over 8 miles, cuts through protected areas, requiring the filling of wetlands and the felling of vast swathes of trees.
Claudio Verrequete, who lives near the construction site, has lost his livelihood harvesting açaí berries from the now-razed trees. He has reportedly received no compensation and worries about further deforestation now that the area is easily accessible. He fears businesses will encroach on the land, forcing him and his community to relocate. Adding insult to injury, it has been reported that the highway will be inaccessible to Verrequete and his community due to bordering walls, rendering them unable to benefit from the project while suffering its consequences.
Scientists share these concerns, warning that the road, which divides two protected forest areas, will fragment the ecosystem and disrupt wildlife movement. Professor Silvia Sardinha, a wildlife doctor and researcher working at a nearby university animal hospital, has reportedly witnessed the impact of human activity on animals, many of whom arrive at the hospital with injuries inflicted by vehicles.
The construction of this highway raises questions about the sincerity of Brazil hosting a climate summit while actively contributing to deforestation.
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