This story was originally published by The Revelator. Subscribe to their newsletter.
New roads can be treacherous — even fatal — for wildlife, native forests, and the global environment.
That’s why my team at the Centre for Tropical Environmental Sustainability and Science, where we’re studying the impact of roads on wildlife and ecosystems, put together these two short videos.
First up is “Why Roads Are So Dangerous,” which shows how the first cut into a pristine habitat can create an unstoppable wave of changes.
Our second video, “Why Roads are Like Pandora’s Box,” shows that new roads can also be surprisingly dangerous for human economies and societies.
Many people advocate for roads, believing they will bring wealth, jobs, and myriad other benefits.
But few appreciate the full story. Roads are neither entirely good nor bad: they are a double-edged sword.
It’s essential to see both sides of the blade.