Amazon defenders win bid to stall huge dam project

[JakeFanGirl]

The administration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is vowing to appeal, however. And Brazil, with government reserves of $240 billion, has such a booming economy that it no longer needs money from abroad to build the $11 billion Belo Monte dam.

Environmental groups and Amazon Indians "are incredibly energized by this decision and have renewed hope, although no one is naive," said Atossa Soltani, executive director of Amazon Watch. "Everyone recognizes that in Brazil a decision like this could be overturned quickly, and that we haven't won the battle yet."

Increasing international condemnation won't reverse Brazilian policy makers' view that the dam is essential to provide a huge injection of renewable energy, said Christopher Garman, director of Latin American analysis at the Eurasia Group in Washington.

"This dam is going to happen. It's just a matter of when it happens," Garman said.

The Associated Press: Amazon defenders win bid to stall huge dam project

[Sacred Tsahaylu]

It's good to see that James Cameron is sticking behind the message conveyed by Avatar. We must save the environment!

[Human No More]

Good news... I wish there was some way I could help with this

[JakeFanGirl]

More bad news..

Cameron-backed Amazon dam delay nixed by judge

Silva also suggested foreigners should not tell Brazil what to do in the Amazon, but Cameron said the nation's jungle is an international issue because the Brazilian Amazon is seen by many as the world's biggest natural defense against global warming.

It acts as a "sink," or absorber, of carbon dioxide while also serving as a contributor because about 75 percent of Brazil's emissions come from rain-forest clearing, as vegetation burns and felled trees rot.

"The international community needs to engage on this issue because it affects all of us," Cameron said. "I am sure (Silva) doesn't like us poking around in his affairs, but this is an international issue."

Cameron-backed Amazon dam delay nixed by judge

[Human No More]

...that makes me sad

Wish there was something I could do.

[Woodsprite]

This is such bull.

...And I'm talking about Cameron.

[Brandon Kellum]

Originally Posted by Woodsprite

This is such bull.

...And I'm talking about Cameron.

Could you explain what you mean?

[Woodsprite]

Originally Posted by Brandon Kellum

Could you explain what you mean?

I'm against what Cameron's doing. Let's leave it there.

[PunkMaister]

Originally Posted by Woodsprite

This is such bull.

...And I'm talking about Cameron.

Let's see what is more polluting Oil or Hydroelectric power? Can you guess?


Having said that this seems to be more of a human rights issue than an environmental one. Since the natives would have to move out of their ancestral lands.

Maybe the Dam owe to be redesigned so it doesn't affect this people as much or at all if possible.

But Brazil is a country that has a huge energy crisis problem so is either Hydroelectric power or back to oil and more CO2 being released into the atmosphere.

[Pa'li Makto]

I wish things like this were more simple, and easy to overturn.

[zongtseng]

That's right, my main problem with this dam is not the flooding of an area of the Amazon. My problem is the forced dislocation of indigenous peoples from lands they may have held for centuries, if not longer. And in that vein, Cameron is more than justified to be involved, given the messages of Avatar and the forced movement of natives.

[Brandon Kellum]

^ Agreed. I can almost garuntee that they could find an alternative location for the dam, it just wouldn't be as cost effective on their part.