The Wrong Amazon Is Burning!
Activists projected on Black Friday “The Amazon Is Burning” and “Make Amazon Pay” on the “Amazon Tower” that is being build in the city of Berlin, Germany. The action is part of a worldwide action day against the big-tech and logistics company which is known for its union-busting policy.
Nadia gave this background:
Here to give some context and complete the info that this building it actually is in Berlin.
It’s been under construction for about 3 years and will be Amazon’s new headquarters. The building is right next to the railway bridge, a landmark in the city as you see Berlin extended along the river Spree, with a chance to recognize the famous TV Tower and other historic buildings.
This building in the pic will be 140m tall becoming the tallest building in Berlin, in a DDR area where most buildings have no more than 5 floors, and will host at least 3000 employees.
The overall impact is incredible:
1) from an environmental point of view, not only is it creating a lot of pollution, but it has ruined a cultural landscape of the city by becoming hostage to the aesthetics and identity of the area.
2) From an urban planning point of view, once in action, there will be serious traffic problems: imagine 3000 extra people all of a sudden, cars, public transportation, foot traffic, demand/response in the deli and other public services.
3) In parallel, to make up for the arrival of all these people, many residential buildings are also being built, and rents are now averaging MINIMUM 27€ per square meter, almost 3 times compared to a few years ago. [Salaries in Berlin are not high]
4) There are many other ethical and political discussions around, questions about the right use of space and economic resources and all the famous talk about Amazon’s business methods, from human resources to environmental impact through their low-cost and fast-ship services. But we go too deep here and I don’t feel like pursuing this point.
I live in the area, and among other concerns, I think about the shade (yes, the shade) it will create, where in Berlin every corner of sunshine -when there is any- is sacred.
There were several city battles, but as you can see it didn’t work out. I feel generally worried about this construction, and walking past it’s never pleasant.
The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the “lungs of the earth,” is currently facing a devastating crisis.
The wrong Amazon, the one in Brazil, is burning at an alarming rate. The fires, many of which are believed to have been set deliberately to clear land for agriculture and cattle ranching, are releasing huge amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere, and are destroying vital habitats for countless plant and animal species.
The Amazon rainforest is also home to many indigenous communities who have lived in harmony with the land for generations. The destruction of their homes and way of life is devastating. The loss of the rainforest also has global consequences, as it plays a crucial role in regulating the earth’s climate and supporting biodiversity.
The international community must come together to address this crisis and work to protect the Amazon and its inhabitants. This includes supporting sustainable development and conservation efforts, cracking down on illegal logging and land clearing, and holding those responsible for starting the fires accountable. We must act now to save the Amazon before it’s too late.