In brief
In a powerful display of solidarity, thousands of climate protesters gathered in Belém, Brazil, for the COP30 climate talks, calling for an end to fossil fuel use and advocating for indigenous rights. The demonstrators, including indigenous groups and youth activists, expressed their frustration through chants and symbolic gestures, demanding concrete actions rather than discussions. The event marks a significant return of public protests at climate summits, bringing attention to the urgent need for climate action amid ongoing negotiations and challenges.
Marching to the beat of pounding sound systems, thousands of climate protesters have been bringing their message to the gates of the COP30 climate talks in Brazil.
Chanting and singing 'free the Amazon', demonstrators in host city Belém carried three giant coffins reading Oil, Coal, and Gas, flanked by grim reapers.
Indigenous groups displayed signs reading 'the answer is us' as inflatable figures weaved through the crowd under the hot sun.
This marks the first instance since 2021 that protests have been allowed outside UN climate talks, as the previous three occurred in nations that don’t permit public demonstrations.
We are holding a funeral for fossil fuels, said Tuga Cíntia from the Hydra Dance theatre group at the Federal University of Pará. I’m here because enough is enough with COP meetings and theory. It’s time for us to actually act.
Indigenous communities, Brazilian youth groups, and activists from across the globe joined the march in large numbers. Many carried signs demanding 'demarcation now', urging for legal ownership of their territories, seen as vital for biodiversity protection.
As the midday sun beat down, protesters took shelter near petrol stations, expressing their frustration. Fossil fuels are still being burned. We know all too well what it’s like to live on the frontline of climate change, shared Brianna Fruean, a climate activist from Samoa, highlighting the urgent need for justice and action against fossil fuel dependency.
On the eve of COP30, the Brazilian government controversially granted exploration rights to its state oil company at the mouth of the Amazon, prompting criticism amidst calls for comprehensive climate goals.
As negotiations continue, nearly 200 countries are engaged in discussions, yet progress remains slow, with activists urging decision-makers to translate dialogues into tangible agreements that prioritize environmental and indigenous rights. The event underscores a pivotal moment in climate action, demanding that voices from all walks of life are heard in the global quest for sustainability.
