A controversial highway project in the Brazilian city of Belém is raising concerns among environmentalists and local communities. The four-lane road, currently under construction, cuts through tens of thousands of acres of protected Amazon rainforest. It is being built to accommodate the influx of more than 50,000 attendees, including world leaders, for the upcoming COP30 climate summit. While the road aims to ease traffic congestion, many believe it contradicts the summit’s environmental mission.
The Amazon rainforest plays a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide and maintaining global biodiversity. However, clearing vast areas of forest for a climate summit raises questions about its true environmental commitment. Along the partially completed road, dense tropical trees give way to open spaces filled with felled logs and construction debris. The 13-kilometer-long highway disrupts the ecosystem, replacing natural wetlands with pavement and altering the landscape.
Local Communities Face Devastating Consequences
For those living near the construction site, the new road brings more harm than benefit. Claudio Verequete, a local resident, has seen his livelihood disappear. He once relied on harvesting açaí berries, but the destruction of the surrounding forest has left him without income.
“Everything was destroyed,” Verequete says, pointing at the cleared land. “Our harvest is gone, our income is gone, and we received no compensation. Now, we live off our savings.”
Beyond financial struggles, he fears the road will encourage further deforestation, allowing businesses to encroach deeper into the forest.
“Soon, someone will build a gas station or a warehouse. Then, we will have to leave. We were born here. Where will we go?” he asks.
Despite the road’s massive presence, Verequete’s community remains isolated. High walls built along the road prevent locals from using it. While trucks and summit attendees will travel freely, locals still struggle to reach essential services in Belém.
“For us, there are no benefits. If someone falls sick, we still can’t get to the hospital in time,” he laments.
Wildlife Faces an Uncertain Future
Environmental experts warn that the new highway will have severe consequences for local wildlife. The Amazon is home to millions of species, many of which rely on continuous forest cover for survival. Prof. Silvia Sardinha, a wildlife veterinarian, has already witnessed the damage firsthand.
Her team works to rehabilitate injured wild animals, releasing them back into safe areas. However, the highway limits their options.
“Deforestation means immediate loss,” she explains. “We are losing safe areas to return animals to their habitat. Land animals will struggle to cross this highway, shrinking their living and breeding spaces.”
Fragmented forests make survival harder for jaguars, monkeys, and birds. The disruption of natural corridors forces them into riskier environments, increasing roadkill incidents and human-wildlife conflicts.
A Debate Between Development and Conservation
The construction of the highway, named Avenida Liberdade, was first proposed in 2012 but faced delays due to environmental concerns. Now, in preparation for COP30, infrastructure projects across the region are advancing rapidly.
State infrastructure secretary Adler Silveira defends the project, listing it among 30 initiatives meant to modernize Belém. He describes it as a “sustainable highway” that includes wildlife crossings, bicycle lanes, and solar lighting. Other projects include hotel expansions, port upgrades for cruise ships, and an airport expansion to accommodate 14 million passengers annually.
Some business owners in Belém welcome the development. Dalci Cardoso da Silva, a local shoe vendor, believes the influx of visitors will boost commerce.
“The city is improving, and more tourists mean more business,” he says. “Belém was once beautiful but was neglected. This revival is necessary.”
João Alexandre Trindade da Silva, who sells Amazonian herbal medicines, acknowledges the difficulties construction brings but remains hopeful for the future.
“Every big project has challenges, but I hope it brings real change,” he says. “The planet needs cleaner air, and future generations deserve a better environment.”
As world leaders prepare to attend COP30, discussions on environmental policies and climate action will take center stage. However, criticism is mounting over whether such a large-scale summit truly aligns with its mission. The carbon footprint of flying thousands of people to a deforested region for climate talks has sparked debate about the effectiveness of global environmental gatherings.
For many in Belém, the legacy of this highway will last long after the summit ends. Whether it marks a step toward sustainable development or a setback for conservation remains to be seen.
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