Thousands of climate protesters marched outside the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, on Saturday, demanding immediate action on fossil fuel use. The demonstrators, energized by music and chanting slogans such as “free the Amazon,” carried large coffins labeled Oil, Coal, and Gas, accompanied by figures representing grim reapers. This year’s summit marks the first opportunity for public protests since 2021, as previous conferences were held in countries that restricted demonstrations.
Activists from diverse backgrounds joined the march, including indigenous groups and Brazilian youth, with many carrying signs advocating for legal demarcation of indigenous territories. This call highlights the crucial role that indigenous communities play in protecting biodiversity and forest ecosystems in the Amazon. “The answer is us,” read several banners, underscoring the message that local communities are vital in the fight against climate change.
Among the participants was Brianna Fruean, a climate activist from Samoa, who expressed the urgency of action. “Fossil fuels are still being burned. We know all too well what it’s like to live on the frontline of climate change,” she stated in an interview. Ilan, an activist from the non-governmental organization 350.org, emphasized the collective demand for justice and an end to fossil fuels, saying, “We are here after so many COPs, marching for justice.”
The march followed an incident earlier in the week when protesters broke through security lines at the summit, resulting in minor injuries to two security personnel and some damage to the venue. As discussions continued among nearly 200 countries at COP30, little progress had been reported during the first week. Delegations were pushing for a unified strategy to fulfill past commitments aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
President Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva is hosting the summit, choosing Belém to spotlight the Amazon and its indigenous inhabitants. However, just prior to the summit’s commencement, his administration approved oil exploration by the Brazilian state oil company at the mouth of the Amazon, raising concerns among environmentalists and activists.
As negotiations progressed in Belém, smaller protests also took place globally, including demonstrations in the United Kingdom. Activists remain steadfast in their calls for urgent climate action, illustrating the growing global movement advocating for environmental justice and sustainable practices.
