Indigenous Groups Storm Summit After COP30 Kicks Off in Belem

Several native Amazonian tribes stormed the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, just after its kickoff several days ago, in an effort to gain representation amid a major conference over climate change and its global impacts.

COP30 is the 30th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, being hosted by Brazil at a time when the Amazon rainforest is reaching a critical point in its life. At climate change conferences, countries discuss major issues, possible solutions, new technology, and other ways that climate-related problems can be mitigated.

This year, officials have emphasized that the conference will be primarily to execute plans that have been made at past meetings, like the Paris Agreement, instead of creating new goals.

Also, ,COP30 is taking place in the city of Belém, a city that embodies the fears and concerns of the Amazon. Located on the edge of the Amazon River, Belém is the capital of the state of Pará, which has experienced intense deforestation over the last few decades. Since 2002, the state has lost around 13% of its forest cover – equivalent to around 30 million acres – and several other Brazilian states like Rondonia and Mato Grosso have lost even more.

Indigenous tribes within the region have also been heavily impacted– their entire lifestyle depends on the Amazon rainforest, but deforestation is slowly taking away their land. The Amazon River is littered with trash and poisoned with mercury and arsenic from the manufacturing plants along the river, and animal populations continue to dwindle because of habitat loss.

On a global scale, while native tribes are the people who have the smallest impact on the environment, the actions taken by others often harm them much more than it harms the true cause of the problem. Then, countries refuse to allow indigenous peoples to attend the conference as a delegation, and the ones that are permitted are often not able to attend because of high airfare costs or other logistical problems.

These are real issues in the Amazon and across the world, and they are exactly what Indigenous tribes aim to put into the spotlight during their time at COP30, which makes them the host of these delegations in their own rainforest.

Because of this, indigenous groups stormed the conference on Tuesday after protesting outside, fighting with security in an attempt to gain attention. While delegates from major cities were inside, discussing climate plans, native Amazonian tribes were left with no say in the process. Nevertheless, they are finally managing to bring attention to their cause, and several Brazilian delegates actually come from indigenous origin.

Furthermore, many countries are already taking action on climate change, and the COP's main goals will be to secure funding for additional investments in green energy and new technologies in developing countries.

The United States, one of the world's largest polluters, has taken a hardline, pro-oil stance because of President Trump's beliefs, and Europe's climate efforts are stalling after making significant progress over the past few decades. But other countries are now taking the lead, including one in particular: China.

Physically, China is the world's largest producer of wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicles, but they are also the world's largest producer of solar power, wind energy, and hydropower. In 2024, renewable energy made up around 30% of China's demand, and their capacity is growing incredibly fast. Plans for new, ultra-large wind turbines, solar farms, and dams are already being designed, while the latest projects continue to innovate in the renewable sector.

Meanwhile, they are also supplying their products to various other countries that are looking to expand in renewable energy. Cheap Chinese technology has allowed other countries to invest in renewables, rather than it being solely for wealthy, developed nations.

Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Underneath the streets of Beijing, there are over a million people – typically low-income migrant workers or students – who live in a complex network of former nuclear bunkers and basements.

Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): It is not tears but determination that makes pain bearable. (Rose Kennedy)

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Abide (verb, uh-BYDE) - If someone cannot abide someone or something bad, unpleasant, etc., they cannot tolerate or accept that person or thing. Abide can also mean "to accept without objection" and "to remain or continue."

In a Sentence: I just can't abide such blatant dishonesty.

Image credit to Reuters