Thousands of climate activists marched through the streets of Belém, Brazil, on Saturday, demanding urgent action on climate change and amplifying the voices of indigenous communities at the COP30 United Nations summit. The protest, one of the largest outside the conference, featured a vibrant and diverse crowd calling for an end to fossil fuels and greater protection for the Amazon rainforest.
Marching to the rhythm of samba music and pounding sound systems, demonstrators carried symbolic props, including three giant coffins labeled Oil, Coal, and Gas, flanked by grim reapers, to signify a ‘funeral for fossil fuels.’ An inflatable elephant and anaconda weaved through the gathering, while participants chanted ‘free the Amazon’ and held signs reading ‘the answer is us.’ The atmosphere was festive yet resolute, with many seeking shade from the intense midday sun, reflecting the global urgency of their cause.
Indigenous groups played a central role in the march, with members from various communities emphasizing their frontline experiences with deforestation and climate impacts. Benedito Huni Kuin, a 50-year-old indigenous leader, stated, ‘We want to make our voices heard from the Amazon and demand results,’ echoing calls for legal land ownership to safeguard biodiversity. International activists like Brianna Fruean from Samoa highlighted the disproportionate effects on vulnerable nations, stressing the need for justice and a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels.
This event marked the first major protest allowed outside a UN climate summit since 2021, as previous meetings were held in countries with restrictions on public demonstrations. Dubbed the ‘Great People’s March’ by organizers, it occurred at the midpoint of COP30 negotiations, intensifying pressure on world leaders to deliver tangible outcomes. Earlier in the week, indigenous protesters had breached security lines at the summit venue, causing minor disruptions to underscore their demands for inclusion and action.
The COP30 talks in Belém bring together nearly 200 countries to address the escalating climate crisis, with a focus on implementing past agreements and transitioning away from fossil fuels. However, progress has been sluggish, exacerbated by the absence of a U.S. delegation and a record number of fossil fuel lobbyists in attendance. UN reports warn that the world is on track to exceed the 1.5°C global warming threshold within the next decade, highlighting the critical need for accelerated efforts.
Despite these challenges, some delegations are advocating for breakthroughs on climate finance and adaptation support for developing nations. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, hosting the summit, aims to spotlight the Amazon, but his government’s recent approval of oil exploration at the river’s mouth has drawn criticism from activists. The presence of indigenous stalls outside the venue symbolizes ongoing efforts to engage delegates directly and influence policy discussions.
As negotiations extend into next week, the march serves as a potent reminder of public impatience with incremental progress. With the climate crisis worsening, the outcomes of COP30 will determine whether world leaders can translate pledges into concrete steps toward a sustainable and equitable future.
