Photo: Residents fear the new highway will pave the way for further development projects that will cut into the rainforest Credit: BBC
In a world where truth doesn’t seem important and hopeful fantasies are preferred to reality, it would be normal for prime protected rainforest to be chopped down to make way for a four lane highway. Crazy. Yet this is actually happening in Brazil. Why? Not for the usual profiteering land-grab, worse, to provide easy access to COP30. The supposed purpose of which is to agree ways to save the climate from disastrous change. Words fail.
Just one breathtaking example of how seriously the problem is taken. We laugh at the idiot sawing off the branch on which he is sitting. We will not find it so funny when climate reality fully exposes our hopeful fantasies. We’ve had plenty of wake up calls, floods, droughts, etc, most recently wildfire in South Korea.
A group of Brazilian leaders’ paper: ‘A Call to Action towards COP30’ has been presented to their Minister on Climate Change, which reads: ‘Our territories are being destroyed. We witness the destruction of the Amazon, other ecosystems and the people, caused by large scale agriculture, mining and fossil fuel extraction.’ Be interesting to see if these facts have any effect.
If previous meetings are anything to go by, in October COP30 will be swamped by oil and gas producers, solemn promises to reduce greenhouse gases will be made, which will be routinely broken. Short term interests will trump long term essential needs. We can only hope the outcome will be more positive this time. It is up to us to make our voices heard through our MPs.
A good group of us met at Chanctonbury Leisure Centre car park on 5th April for the annual spring clean, clearing litter from popular local paths and byways. The usual collection of rubbish (including a bedhead) was sorted so recyclables were saved.
Our next work party is at 10am on 3rd of May meeting at the Library car park to prepare for the annual Duck Race by clearing the banks and stream of obstructions. Wearing wellies is advised, other equipment is provided. All invited to come and help, taking part will increase your enjoyment of the event.
For information about this and our other activities, or on becoming a member, or offering advice, please get in touch with Chairman Mick Denness on 01903 745971, or see our website. www.storringtonconservation.org.uk/.
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