Controversial “Clean Energy” Mega Project Threatens

Ecosystem and Lives in Brazil’s Amazon

The April 20th date, already changed from March 30th, that was scheduled for staging an auction to bid for the rights to build and operate the controversial Belo Monte Dam in the Brazilian state of Pará has been further delayed due to the popularization of the issue by such well-known figures as director James Cameron. The increasing cost of production originally brought about the postponement, with potential investors such as GDF Suez (among others) threatening to back out of the auction as the new estimated price nears 20 billion reais ($11.2 billion). Earlier this year, the Brazilian government authorized the initial process of the construction of the Belo Monte Dam on the Xingú River to begin even though it has drawn heated opposition from local communities, environmentalists and indigenous rights activists. These groups have defended Amazon rights for many years; however, as environmental topics become more pressing in today’s world, the proponents of renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric dams, have taken strong positions worldwide as the Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012. Even though Brazil is currently becoming an economic powerhouse, it maintains low emission levels, with only 1.86 metric tons of CO2 emissions per capita (i.e. ten times less than the United States). Moreover, Brasília has worked toward becoming environmentally responsible, as it voluntarily committed to cut its emissions by approximately 40% from projected 2020 levels. Thus, the development of a hydroelectric plant satisfies the call for clean, new energy resources while simultaneously fulfilling the growing need for energy. However, while the advantages behind clean, renewable energy will be made available by the Belo Monte Dam, the dam itself could contribute to severe flooding and wreak harm on the ecosystems in the flood plain of the Xingú River, as well as give off damaging amounts of methane. The flooding and the environmental ramifications, consequently, could profoundly affect the lives and welfare of the local population.

Overlooked Approval of Dam Leads to Devastation of the Indigenous Biosphere
Due to the call for renewable energy, the Brazilian government accelerated the development of the Belo Monte Dam. On February 1st, the Brazilian Environmental Agency (IBAMA) issued the first license needed for construction of a hydroelectric plant. IBAMA has worked on this matter for years and recently issued the license after numerous discussions and compromises. In the months prior to February, the process had been stalled in order to ventilate some of the issues surrounding the long lasting effects that the dam would have on indigenous communities. It was soon being whispered that senior IBAMA officials had prepared their resignation papers due to the politics and pressures of the licensing process. This arose from the conflicting arguments that inevitably accompany the controversial approval process to bring the hydroelectric dam into existence. In order for the project to effectively commence, there are still two other environmental licenses that must be obtained, as well as some forty conditions that the contractors must satisfy. The government has already been accused by the Catholic Bishop of the Xingú Prelacy for permitting the project to move into the production stage while overlooking the adverse effects that could jeopardize the environment and bedevil the indigenous inhabitants who would be forced out of their homes.

For full article click here