In Belém, Brazil, a massive demonstration unfolded, attracting tens of thousands who passionately advocated for climate action during the COP30 summit. The 'Great People's March' highlighted urgent calls for environmental justice and the protection of Indigenous lands amid escalating threats from fossil fuel projects.
Indigenous activists, having previously disrupted the summit, emphasized the need for concrete actions from leaders, particularly Brazilian President Lula da Silva. This pivotal moment in negotiations coincided with alarming UN warnings regarding global temperature rises.
Protesters symbolically buried fossil fuels, appealing for a definitive end to their use by 2050. Brazil's Minister for Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara, urged the international community to incorporate the recognition of Indigenous territories into climate policies, citing the dangers posed by mining interests to these vital lands.
With unresolved issues such as climate finance and transparency remaining at the forefront, the march served as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for collective action against the climate crisis.
