Reflecting on my time at COP30 in Belém, Pará, Brazil, I find myself filled with a profound sense of urgency and hope. While my official Blue Zone credentials were for the second week, my journey truly began during the first week at the People’s Summit (Cúpula dos Povos) and the Interreligious Group Tapiri. These parallel spaces provided a raw, unfiltered look at the heart of the climate crisis.
A Week of Enriching Interactions
Interacting with diverse social movements, grassroots organizations, and interfaith representatives was a transformative experience. The popular participation in those early days was remarkable; the cries of marginalized communities echoed through the voices of their leaders. In their testimonies, I recognized the struggles of the community I serve. I joined my voice with theirs, sharing in their suffering and their unwavering spirit of resistance.
Key Learnings from the Amazon
My time in Belém reinforced five essential truths about our global house:
- Preservation is Vital: The Amazon rainforest is the lungs of our planet. Living and serving here, I feel a renewed commitment to its protection as a cornerstone of climate mitigation.
- Indigenous Leadership: Indigenous peoples are not merely victims; they are the most effective guardians of biodiversity and our most essential allies.
- Climate Justice is Social Justice: We cannot separate the environment from the human person. Poverty, inequality, and human rights are inextricably linked to the climate crisis.
- The Power of Networking: A global crisis demands a global response. We must continue to “join hands” across borders and sectors to make meaningful progress.
- Rethinking “Development”: I heard traditional communities explain how the word “development” is often used to “assassinate” their way of life. We are called to promote a model of progress that respects, rather than destroys, our common home.
Confronting the Challenges
Despite the energy in Belém, significant hurdles remain. The current pace of global action is insufficient. We see a recurring “empty chair” at the decision-making table: those who contribute the least to the crisis—women, children, and indigenous groups—often suffer the most and have the least say in policy. Furthermore, holding large mining corporations accountable for environmental destruction remains a grueling and often uphill battle.
Signs of Hope
However, the horizon is not entirely dark. I witnessed several “seeds of hope” during the summit:
- Increased Ambition: Initiatives like the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) signal a shift toward concrete financial mechanisms for conservation.
- A Church in Motion: The massive participation of religious organizations reflects a growing commitment to Integral Ecology, proving that faith is a powerful driver for change.
- Youth Leadership: The vibrant engagement of youth from the Global South promises a future led by those who truly understand the stakes.
- Community Resilience: The determination of local people is infectious. As one young woman poignantly shared: “We are like an ant at the feet of a big elephant; we cannot knock it down, but we can bother it so much that it becomes restless.”
A Newfound Commitment
Participating in COP30 has been a life-changing milestone. I return to my mission strengthened and ready to walk alongside my community. My goal is to be a presence of hope—taking small, respectful steps to promote human dignity and the sanctity of life.
I am deeply grateful to the VIVAT International administration and my congregation, the Comboni Missionary Sisters, for this opportunity. The journey toward a just and sustainable future continues, and I am honored to walk it with you.
Gabriela Lado, CMS, VIVAT Brazil
View the COP30 daily blog of VIVAT delegates here.
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