The United Nations climate conference kicked off in Brazil's Amazon region on Monday, bringing together global leaders who urged continued combat against climate change despite the United States withdrawing from the effort.
Massive Gathering in Belem
Approximately 50,000 delegates converged on Belem, the humid metropolis at the edge of the Amazon rainforest, for the two-week COP30 meeting. They face the critical challenge of preventing the collapse of international climate cooperation while confronting the harsh reality of accelerating global warming.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva set a determined tone during the opening ceremony, which featured traditional Indigenous performances with feathered headpieces. "Climate change is no longer a threat of the future. It is a tragedy of the present," President Lula declared to the assembled delegates.
Lula's Strong Stance Against Climate Deniers
The Brazilian leader delivered a powerful rebuke to those who dismiss scientific evidence, stating they "spread fear, attack institutions, science, and universities." He called for a decisive victory over climate change skeptics, emphasizing that "it was far cheaper to fight to protect the climate than to wage war."
Lula's comments came as the conference grapples with the significant absence of the United States, the world's top oil producer and second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases. American President Donald Trump, known for his climate-skeptic position, continues to champion fossil fuels while criticizing renewable energy alternatives.
Critical Climate Targets at Risk
Delegates confront the sobering reality that the world has failed to meet the Paris Agreement's crucial goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Recent warnings from scientists and UN officials indicate that temporarily exceeding this threshold has become almost unavoidable.
UN climate chief Simon Stiell issued an urgent call to action, demanding nations move "much, much faster" to cut emissions and preserve the possibility of achieving the 1.5C target. The conference unfolds against the backdrop of the Amazon rainforest itself, serving as a constant reminder of what's at stake in the climate battle.
The two-week summit represents a critical juncture for global climate policy, testing whether international cooperation can withstand political pressures and deliver meaningful progress against the escalating climate crisis.
