Furthermore, it directly affects 18,000 indigenous peoples and leads to violations of their civil rights. This is the largest incident of indigenous rights violations that have occurred around the world without proper reporting in the 21st century, in the midst of the Internet age.
Invaders into indigenous territories are weaponizing the COVID-19 pandemic, with devastating effects on populations. As a result, the mortality rate for Indigenous people is three times higher than that for non-Indigenous people.
A „hidden genocide“ is underway, previously overlooked by former President Jair Bolsonaro's government, but now by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his government. It seems there is. This lack of awareness continues despite the current government's efforts to promote oil exploration in the region.
Additionally, the Amazon rainforest is the world's largest source of betacoronaviruses and other zoonotic diseases. Forest degradation, human presence, and increased migration in this region could potentially lead to a new global pandemic as diseases stored in forests can spread to humans.
This concern is particularly acute due to its proximity to Manaus, a metropolis of more than 2 million people, where there is widespread community transmission and the emergence of the more deadly gamma variant of COVID-19.
pandemic
It is important to emphasize that the region does not have the capacity to issue epidemiological alerts for pandemics occurring within the region. One example is the Gamma variant of COVID-19, which was first identified after crossing Brazil's borders and spreading around the world, with the first cases detected in Japan.
We are on the brink of a potential new pandemic scenario, and the changes in climate resulting from the construction of the BR-319 highway may provide favorable conditions for these pathogens. Although we are on the brink of a new global situation, Brazilian authorities have shown inaction in addressing the issue.
The highway has helped strengthen transnational organized crime, whose activities have expanded beyond drug trafficking to include activities such as gold mining and land grabbing in the region.
Q: What justifications does the Brazilian government provide for paving the BR-319 highway, and how effective are they?
This highway is not justified from an economic point of view and lacks an economic feasibility study known as EVTA as provided for in Law 5917/1973. Additionally, project leaders failed to conduct important consultations with indigenous communities as required by both International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention No. 169 and Brazilian Law No. 10,088/2019.
The main transport route in the region has traditionally been via the Madeira River, which is more cost-effective, safer, cleaner and more efficient than the BR-319 motorway. However, the government is keen to expand mining operations, industrial agriculture and livestock farming in the region and facilitate access to vast areas for oil and gas exploration.
COP28
Brazilian President Lula gave an environment-friendly speech at COP28, but this seems like just greenwashing. Our research published in Nature reveals his true intentions, which are focused on intensifying fossil fuel exploration. He has prioritized the BR-319 highway project and has already auctioned off 21 oil exploration blocks in the region. Some companies, including those from Russia and China, have targeted the region, and political alliances between the two companies have strengthened these efforts.
Many politicians have expressed support for efforts to rebuild the BR-319 highway, desperately trying to justify its importance to the region. They resort to baseless arguments, such as linking it to the oxygen crisis in Manaus during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oxygen could have been quickly transported to the area if the road had been opened, they claim. However, this claim lacks credibility as my research already warned about the second wave six months ago.
Q: What is the Lula government's approach to paving the BR-319 highway? Does he support this project? We are fully supporting the reconstruction.
On Thursday, February 1, 2024, Brazilian Vice President Gerard Alcumin visited Manaus and said that the government has been actively prioritizing the paving of the BR-319 highway. However, his claim that the highway is a sustainable project and will not cause deforestation is misleading.
In his speech, he cited the Atlantic Forest as a model for sustainability. However, only 8 percent of the original Atlantic Forest biome remains, and more than 97 percent exists as fragmented forests, each less than 50 hectares in area. Roads and highways play an important role in regional deterioration.
model
Adopting the Atlantic Forest scenario can serve as a model for the government's intentions regarding the Amazon. However, if this path continues, the collapse of biomes and surrounding environments could accelerate and have far-reaching implications for global climate patterns. It is clear that the Lula government is not prioritizing environmental and climate concerns with the necessary urgency.
Q: What about the proposal for bill PL 4994/2023, submitted on December 18, 2023, to designate the BR-319 highway as “critical infrastructure essential to national security” and require expedited approval of the road? Do you think? Immediate allocation of projects and funds?
At this critical juncture, the House of Representatives passed a bill designating the BR-319 freeway as „critical infrastructure essential to national security.“ However, given that the highway does not connect to the border, the national security claims are unfounded. Military generals have already declared that the BR-319 highway does not pose any national security risk.
Furthermore, our findings reveal that the BR-319 motorway lacks importance as a critical infrastructure project, with priority being given to a transport route via the Madeira River instead. Nevertheless, this law ignores environmental licensing procedures and the rights of indigenous communities.
There is also concern that Amazon funds intended for environmental conservation may be allocated to paving highways, which is contrary to that purpose, as highway construction promotes deforestation.
global efforts
As a scientist who has published multiple studies in prestigious scientific journals around the world, what kind of retaliation, intimidation, or threats do you face for voicing your research or concerns about the BR-319 highway pavement? Despite facing relentless attacks from politicians and land grabbers, as well as death threats and two more attacks, my unwavering dedication to the BR-319 High Speed We continue to focus on drawing attention to the impact of road reconstruction.
This is more than just a road project. It represents a struggle with devastating and irreversible consequences. If this path is rebuilt, our world will be irreversibly changed and we will be on a path to destruction. We anticipate an era characterized by extreme weather events and pandemics, and it will be essential for people around the world to participate. This project affects all of our readers, regardless of their location, so we sincerely encourage you to unite in this cause.
What message do you want to send to Brazilian and foreign governments, Brazilian and global communities, local and international NGOs, companies and institutions? As outlined in our study published in the January 30th issue of Nature As stated above, protecting the environment is a science-based decision and should not be subject to debate.
This project is a global effort, as its impact is global. This represents a major environmental initiative at this time, given its ability to reshape the planet through significant climate impacts and global health risks arising from the release of new diseases stored within forests. I am.
All scientific studies have shown that paving the BR-319 highway is not possible, considering the negative economic, social, health and environmental impacts it will have on the world's population. We must follow scientific recommendations and not negotiate the future of our planet.
this author
Monica Piccinini is a freelance writer focusing on environmental, health and human rights issues.