Environmental and Indigenous activists say the railway, if it proceeds, will unleash an explosion of carbon and further imperil the world’s biggest and most climate-critical rainforest.
Brazilian researchers have estimated the railway will directly lead to more than 1,500 square miles of deforestation, releasing 75 million tons of carbon, and that broader environmental impacts will affect an area of roughly 19,000 square miles, bigger than the state of Connecticut.
I know nothing about this particular case. But trains are usually MUCH better for the environment than trucks, which is what they apparently use today. The articles I’m finding make it sound like the train tracks are gong to parallel the existing roads, so shouldn’t be a significant incursion to the wildlife.
If this was really a 1:1 exchange, environmentalists ought to be supporting this. I note they are not, which means something’s not adding up.
Induced demand doesn’t just apply to freeways
I think the expectation is not that it’s a 1:1 exchange but that the train moves a lot more cattle feed, resulting in deforestation of a larger area when what needs to happen is a restoration of areas currently under cultivation to rain forest
The project is supported in large part by major soy traders, including the American grain giant Cargill. Cargill and the Brazilian developers argue the railway is essential for economic growth in the region and is part of a broader effort in the northern Amazon to improve infrastructure and facilitate grain exports.
Won’t the activists think of the profits?! /S
