Possibly ~50,000 Acres Being Removed from Amazon Rainforest for Climate Change Summit

[carterfelder]

“Significant portions of the Amazon rainforest are being cleared in preparation for a climate change summit. Specifically, tens of thousands of acres of protected rainforest in Brazil are being cut down to build a four-lane highway, known as Avenida Liberdade, for the COP30 climate summit scheduled for November 2025 in Belém. The highway, stretching over about 8 miles, is intended to ease traffic for the expected 50,000+ attendees, including world leaders.

Drone footage and satellite imagery have documented the deforestation, showing cleared paths through previously lush, protected areas. Local officials claim the project includes ‘sustainable’ features like solar lighting and wildlife crossings, but conservationists and some residents argue it contradicts the summit’s purpose—tackling climate change—since the Amazon is a critical carbon sink and biodiversity hotspot. Critics also point out that the construction could open the door to further deforestation by increasing access for illegal logging or development.

The irony hasn’t gone unnoticed: a summit meant to address environmental crises is directly causing ecological harm. Posts on X and reports from sources like the BBC and Newsweek confirm this is happening, with locals reporting losses of livelihoods—like açaí harvests—without compensation. The Brazilian government defends it as a necessary modernization effort, but the backlash is loud and clear.”

- Grok 3

Amazon forest felled to build road for climate summit | BBC News

Edited March 18 by carterfelder
Better image placement

[Yimpa]

Amazon falls while Bezos grows.

[NewKidOnTheBlock]

We are fools. What else to say

[aurum]

Why was this location chosen?

 

[carterfelder]

4 minutes ago, aurum said:

Why was this location chosen?

 

“COP30 is being held in Belém, Brazil, primarily due to its location in the Amazon region, which carries profound symbolic and practical significance for global climate discussions. The decision stems from a proposal by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who, shortly after his election in 2022, pitched the idea during COP27 in Egypt. He argued that if the Amazon—often called the ‘lungs of the Earth’ for its role in absorbing carbon dioxide—is a central topic at climate summits worldwide, then hosting the event in an Amazonian city like Belém would bring a unique, grounded perspective. The Amazon stores vast amounts of greenhouse gases and hosts unparalleled biodiversity, making it a critical player in the fight against climate change, and Belém, as the capital of Pará state and a gateway to the Amazon River, embodies that connection.

Lula’s vision was to shift the conversation from distant venues like Paris or Dubai to the heart of the rainforest, letting world leaders see the region and its people—indigenous communities, riverside dwellers—up close. This aligns with Brazil’s push under his administration to reclaim a leadership role in climate action, especially after years of rampant deforestation under his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro. The choice was formalized at COP28 in Dubai in December 2023, with unanimous approval from UN member states, backed earlier by the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States.

Beyond symbolism, COP30 in Belém is a strategic move. It’s timed for November 2025, when nations must submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement—plans to cut emissions and adapt to climate shifts. Hosting in the Amazon underscores the urgency of protecting forests as carbon sinks, while spotlighting Brazil’s efforts (and challenges) in curbing deforestation, which dropped nearly 50% in 2023. It’s also a chance for Brazil to showcase sustainable development and pressure richer nations to deliver on climate finance promises, like the $100 billion pledged annually to developing countries.

Belém’s selection isn’t without wrinkles—its infrastructure struggles, from limited hotels to poor sanitation, have sparked debate—but the Brazilian government sees it as an opportunity to transform the city and leave a legacy, with investments topping 4.7 billion reais ($850 million USD) for projects like parks and highways. Critics point to the irony of clearing rainforest for a climate summit, but proponents argue the global attention could galvanize action where it’s needed most. In short, Belém’s hosting COP30 is about putting the Amazon—and its stakes—front and center.”

- Grok 3

[aurum]

19 minutes ago, carterfelder said:

“COP30 is being held in Belém, Brazil, primarily due to its location in the Amazon region, which carries profound symbolic and practical significance for global climate discussions. The decision stems from a proposal by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who, shortly after his election in 2022, pitched the idea during COP27 in Egypt. He argued that if the Amazon—often called the ‘lungs of the Earth’ for its role in absorbing carbon dioxide—is a central topic at climate summits worldwide, then hosting the event in an Amazonian city like Belém would bring a unique, grounded perspective. The Amazon stores vast amounts of greenhouse gases and hosts unparalleled biodiversity, making it a critical player in the fight against climate change, and Belém, as the capital of Pará state and a gateway to the Amazon River, embodies that connection.

Lula’s vision was to shift the conversation from distant venues like Paris or Dubai to the heart of the rainforest, letting world leaders see the region and its people—indigenous communities, riverside dwellers—up close. This aligns with Brazil’s push under his administration to reclaim a leadership role in climate action, especially after years of rampant deforestation under his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro. The choice was formalized at COP28 in Dubai in December 2023, with unanimous approval from UN member states, backed earlier by the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States.

Beyond symbolism, COP30 in Belém is a strategic move. It’s timed for November 2025, when nations must submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement—plans to cut emissions and adapt to climate shifts. Hosting in the Amazon underscores the urgency of protecting forests as carbon sinks, while spotlighting Brazil’s efforts (and challenges) in curbing deforestation, which dropped nearly 50% in 2023. It’s also a chance for Brazil to showcase sustainable development and pressure richer nations to deliver on climate finance promises, like the $100 billion pledged annually to developing countries.

Belém’s selection isn’t without wrinkles—its infrastructure struggles, from limited hotels to poor sanitation, have sparked debate—but the Brazilian government sees it as an opportunity to transform the city and leave a legacy, with investments topping 4.7 billion reais ($850 million USD) for projects like parks and highways. Critics point to the irony of clearing rainforest for a climate summit, but proponents argue the global attention could galvanize action where it’s needed most. In short, Belém’s hosting COP30 is about putting the Amazon—and its stakes—front and center.”

- Grok 3

Development always seems to win.

 

[oldhandle]

How much of that shit is even left? It seems like the majority of the rainforest has been destroyed, no?

[carterfelder]

15 hours ago, oldhandle said:

How much of that shit is even left? It seems like the majority of the rainforest has been destroyed, no?

"Humans have removed a significant portion of the Amazon Rainforest, primarily through deforestation and degradation. Recent estimates indicate that approximately 17% of the Amazon has been deforested—meaning the forest has been completely cleared for other land uses, such as agriculture or ranching. Additionally, more than a third of the remaining forest has been degraded by human activities like selective logging, fires, and habitat fragmentation, though this degradation does not always result in total removal of the forest cover.

These figures are based on data covering the period up to around 2018–2023, with deforestation rates fluctuating depending on regional policies and enforcement. For instance, in the Brazilian Amazon, which accounts for about 60% of the total rainforest, just under 20% of the original forest cover has been lost since the early 1970s. When combining deforestation and degradation across the entire Amazon basin, the impact on the original forest is substantial, though exact percentages can vary slightly depending on the source and methodology used."

- Grok 3

[oldhandle]

wtf is grok 3

[Yimpa]

11 minutes ago, oldhandle said:

wtf is grok 3

Elon’s future X

[gambler]

10 minutes ago, Yimpa said:

Elon’s future X

Touche. 

[Basman]

I don't think you should use AI as a news source. It is better to paste and link articles.

[carterfelder]

8 hours ago, Basman said:

I don't think you should use AI as a news source. It is better to paste and link articles.

I love AI.

[Basman]

28 minutes ago, carterfelder said:

I love AI.

Your school teacher hates you.

[Yimpa]

4 minutes ago, Basman said:

Your school teacher hates you.

I remember back in 2010 when I was in middle school, using a computer to take a writing test was a novel tool that they were testing out. Keep in mind that I was flunking this class with Ds and Fs.

But the computer saw me different. Not only was I the first one to complete the assignment - I got a perfect 10/10 score.

I recall the teacher staring frozen at the screen in disbelief.

[carterfelder]

54 minutes ago, Yimpa said:

I remember back in 2010 when I was in middle school, using a computer to take a writing test was a novel tool that they were testing out. Keep in mind that I was flunking this class with Ds and Fs.

But the computer saw me different. Not only was I the first one to complete the assignment - I got a perfect 10/10 score.

I recall the teacher staring frozen at the screen in disbelief.