Brazil is facing growing censure after clearing large parts of the Amazon forests to build a bridge for the future COP30 climate conference, set to take place in Belém, a northeastern city in Brazil, this November.
The four-lane bridge, designed to accommodate tens of thousands of members, including world leaders, has sparked fears about the economic effect in one of the world’s most biodiverse areas.
The bridge project, which was proposed by the state authorities of Pará over a decade ago, was delayed several periods due to concerns about its environmental impact.
Nevertheless, with the conference approaching, the job has moved ahead as part of a broader strategy to make Belém for the influx of visitors. The condition is also undertaking another major infrastructure projects, like as expanding the aircraft, redeveloping the port for cruise ships, and constructing new accommodations.
The state authorities defends the roadway, claiming it will be lasting. They point to functions like cycle lanes and animals bridges designed to help animals walk through the neighborhood carefully. Adler Silveira, the state’s system minister, also highlighted that the path would use solar-powered light, more emphasizing its environmental credentials.
Despite these statements, some locals and environmental organizations are outraged. Occupants like Claudio Verequete, who lives about 200 feet from the fresh street, argue that the design is devastating their incomes.
Verequete, who again made his living harvest açaà fruit, shared his disappointment with the BBC, saying,” All was destroyed. Our produce has already been cut over. We no longer have that money to help our community”.
Environmentalists have also raised warnings, warning that the forest was harm wildlife and destroy the delicate balance of the Amazon habitat. The area is essential for absorbing carbon dioxide and preserving world wildlife, and many critics argue that the loss of the woodland for a highway goes against the very purpose of hosting a climate summit in the area.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the country’s environment minister have defended the summit, claiming it will provide a unique opportunity to highlight the needs of the Amazon. Lula has stated that this will be” a COP in the Amazon, not a COP about the Amazon”, focusing on the region’s challenges and showcasing the federal government’s efforts to protect the rainforest.
As the summit draws closer, the debate over the highway and its environmental impact is intensifying, with critics questioning whether the destruction of part of the Amazon can be justified in the name of hosting a global climate event.
