Thousands of people took to the streets of Belém on Saturday, transforming the Amazonian city into the vibrant epicenter of a global call for climate justice. As negotiators entered the second week of the COP30 climate summit, the demonstrators urged world leaders to turn years of promises into concrete action to protect the planet and support communities already suffering from the consequences of a rapidly warming world.
The demonstration unfolded near the main conference site, where delegates from nearly 200 countries are meeting to address the mounting failures of global climate commitments and the widening gap between scientific warnings and political action.
Under midday temperatures nearing 30°C, a vast coalition of Indigenous groups, youth activists and civil society organizations marched through Belém’s streets. The procession blended rhythmic drumming, chanting and vibrant banners, including one that read:
“No climate justice, no Indigenous rights. No forest, no future.”
Brazil’s Environment Minister Marina Silva addressed the crowd, saying:
“This is the moment to chart a roadmap for what COP30 must achieve: ending deforestation and breaking our dependency on fossil fuels.”
Indigenous activist Kristyan Buiánawa, who joined the march to demand stronger land rights protections, emphasized the non-negotiable link between environmental survival and Indigenous stewardship:
“Our land and our forests are not commodities. Respect nature, and respect the peoples who protect it.”
Tensions Rise, Security Tightens
The march comes amid a week of heightened tensions. On Tuesday, clashes erupted after members of several Indigenous groups attempted to enter the conference venue. Saturday — designated as the summit’s main day of global mobilization — saw an extensive security presence, including riot police units from the military police.
On Friday, dozens of members of the Munduruku community staged a peaceful blockade at the entrance to the conference’s “Blue Zone,” the restricted area reserved for negotiators. Access was halted for nearly an hour until additional security forces, including the army, were deployed.
A Reminder From Scientists: Climate Change Is About People
Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist at The Nature Conservancy, reminded negotiators that the climate crisis cannot be reduced to technical targets and diplomatic language:
“As we enter the second week, delegates must remember that climate action is not about abstract numbers. It is about people. Every decision we make today shapes the future we share tomorrow.”
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