The construction of a four-lane highway in the Amazon rainforest has sparked significant controversy as it clears tens of thousands of acres of vital forest land. Designed to ease traffic in Belém ahead of the upcoming COP30 climate summit, the highway has faced intense backlash from local communities, environmentalists, and scientists who argue that it undermines the summit’s goal of preserving the environment.
Highway Construction Clears Vast Portions of Amazon Rainforest
The state government promotes the new highway as a “sustainable” development aimed at facilitating transportation during the summit, which is expected to host over 50,000 attendees. However, conservationists argue that clearing large swaths of the Amazon rainforest directly contradicts the summit’s stated goal of protecting the environment and combating climate change. The Amazon is a crucial carbon sink and biodiversity hotspot, making the deforestation a significant environmental concern.
Currently, lush rainforest still towers beside the road, but cleared land extends 13 km (8 miles) into Belém. The path of deforestation is marked by piles of logs and machinery carving through wetlands, paving over protected land to make way for the new infrastructure. Critics argue that the road is a dangerous step backward in global efforts to combat climate change.
Local Communities Suffer Economic Losses
For many local residents, the highway project is an immediate threat to their livelihoods. Claudio Verequete, a local resident who lives just 200 meters from the construction site, has lost his income from harvesting açaí berries, as his land has been cleared for the road. “Everything was destroyed,” he says, gesturing toward the barren land where once-thriving açaí crops stood.
Verequete’s family has not received compensation for their losses and is now relying on savings to survive. He fears that the highway will lead to further deforestation as businesses move into the area. “One day, someone will offer money for a gas station or warehouse, and we’ll be forced to leave,” he warns.
Despite the highway’s proximity, the project will not benefit local communities like his. “For us, there are no benefits. Only trucks will use it. If someone gets sick and needs to reach Belém, we won’t have access,” he explains.
Scientists have also voiced concerns about the road’s impact on the surrounding environment. The highway will fragment protected forests, making it more difficult for wildlife to move freely across their natural habitats. This fragmentation disrupts ecosystems and poses a significant risk to the biodiversity of the region.
Environmentalists Warn of Long-Term Damage
Professor Silvia Sardinha, a wildlife veterinarian who rehabilitates animals injured by human activity, warns that the highway will exacerbate the ongoing environmental challenges in the region. “Deforestation already causes loss,” she says. “With this road, we lose an area where we can safely release animals back into the wild.”
The construction of the highway, along with other infrastructure projects tied to the upcoming COP30 summit, is stirring heated debates about the true cost of development in one of the world’s most vital ecosystems. The Brazilian president has called COP30 a historic event, emphasizing that it will be held “in the Amazon, not just about the Amazon.” He insists the summit will showcase efforts to protect the rainforest. However, the ongoing destruction of the rainforest has many questioning whether these promises will translate into real, meaningful action.
Balancing Development with Environmental Concerns
While the state government insists that the highway includes “sustainable” features, such as wildlife crossings, bike lanes, and solar lighting, many local residents and environmentalists remain unconvinced. These features, they argue, cannot undo the long-term environmental damage caused by the extensive deforestation already underway.
In addition to the highway, Belém is undergoing several other development projects in preparation for COP30. These include the construction of new hotels, airport expansions, and a city park. While these developments may bring economic benefits to some, many market vendors, like Dalci Cardoso da Silva, see the growth as a sign of opportunity. “More people are visiting, so I can sell more,” he says.
Others are more skeptical about the true environmental benefits of the summit. João Alexandre Trindade da Silva, an herbal medicine seller, hopes that the discussions at COP30 will lead to concrete action. “We hope these discussions turn into actual measures that improve air quality,” he says.
COP30 Faces Growing Scrutiny
World leaders attending COP30 also face growing scrutiny as questions arise about the environmental impact of the summit itself. With thousands of people traveling to Belém and massive infrastructure projects underway to accommodate the influx, concerns have been raised about the carbon footprint of the event. Critics argue that building large-scale infrastructure for a climate summit may undermine the message that the event seeks to send about reducing emissions and combating climate change.
As the construction of the highway and other development projects continue, many locals and environmental advocates are left questioning the true cost of progress in the Amazon. While the Brazilian government insists that the development is necessary for hosting COP30, the long-term environmental and social consequences remain uncertain.