标签： South America

Thousands of climate activists descended upon the gates of the COP30 climate talks in Belém, Brazil, delivering a powerful message through music, chants, and symbolic protests. Under the scorching sun, demonstrators carried three giant coffins labeled ‘Oil,’ ‘Coal,’ and ‘Gas,’ flanked by grim reapers, symbolizing the death of fossil fuels. Indigenous groups held signs proclaiming ‘the answer is us,’ while inflatable elephants and anacondas weaved through the crowd. This marks the first time since 2021 that protesters have been permitted to demonstrate outside the UN climate talks, as the previous three summits were held in countries that restrict public protest.

Tuga Cíntia, a member of the theater group Hydra Dance from the Federal University of Pará, told the BBC, ‘We are holding a funeral for fossil fuels. Enough is enough with COP meetings and theory. It’s time for us to actually act.’ Indigenous communities, Brazilian youth groups, and international activists joined the march, amplifying calls for justice and the end of fossil fuel dependency.

Brianna Fruean, a climate activist from Samoa, emphasized the urgency of the situation: ‘Fossil fuels are still being burned. We know all too well what it’s like to live on the frontline of climate change.’ Ilan, from the NGO 350, echoed her sentiments, stating, ‘We are here after so many COPs, marching for justice, for the end of fossil fuels.’

The protest also highlighted indigenous rights, with signs demanding ‘demarcation now’ to secure legal ownership of ancestral territories. Hundreds of indigenous groups in the Amazon, recognized as vital protectors of biodiversity, participated in the march. Smaller protests occurred globally, including in the UK.

Security was tight at the COP30 venue, with riot police guarding the entrance. On Tuesday, protesters breached security lines, causing minor injuries to two staff and limited damage to the venue. Indigenous voices have been a focal point of the talks, with many groups expressing frustration that their concerns about deforestation, land protection, and resource extraction are being ignored.

Negotiations at COP30, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, aim to address climate change, but progress has been slow. Despite Brazil’s pledge to focus on the Amazon, the government recently granted permission to the state oil company to explore for oil at the mouth of the river. Additionally, a record number of fossil fuel lobbyists—1,600—are attending the summit, a 12% increase from last year.

In a notable absence, the US sent no delegation to the talks, following former President Donald Trump’s dismissal of climate change as ‘a con.’ Meanwhile, ten countries signed the Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change, an initiative to combat climate disinformation and promote evidence-based information. Brazil has promised the talks will deliver actionable outcomes, but with negotiations continuing into next week, the world watches to see if words will translate into meaningful action.

In a landmark ruling by London’s High Court, mining giant BHP has been found liable for the catastrophic 2015 collapse of the Fundão dam in Brazil, an event widely regarded as the country’s most severe environmental disaster. The collapse unleashed tens of millions of cubic meters of toxic waste and mud, devastating communities, claiming 19 lives, and causing extensive environmental damage. The civil lawsuit, representing over 600,000 claimants including individuals, local governments, and businesses, was valued at up to £36 billion ($48 billion). BHP has announced its intention to appeal the ruling, arguing that many claimants have already received compensation in Brazil. The dam, located in Mariana, southeastern Brazil, was owned by Samarco, a joint venture between BHP and Brazilian mining company Vale. The claimants’ legal team successfully argued that the case should be heard in London due to BHP’s UK headquarters at the time of the incident. A separate lawsuit against Vale is ongoing in the Netherlands, involving more than 70,000 plaintiffs. Judge Finola O’Farrell ruled that the decision to continue raising the dam’s height despite safety concerns was the direct cause of the collapse, making BHP liable under Brazilian law. BHP’s Minerals Americas president, Brandon Craig, stated that 240,000 claimants in the London lawsuit have already been compensated in Brazil, which he believes will reduce the scale of UK claims. The case has been marked by disputes between BHP and the claimants’ UK law firm, Pogust Goodhead, which has faced accusations of exploiting vulnerable Brazilians. Pogust Goodhead has denied these allegations, claiming that BHP and Vale pressured claimants into settling for less than their claims’ true value. The Renova Foundation, established by BHP and Vale, has disbursed billions in compensation and repair efforts, including building a new city for displaced residents. However, Pogust Goodhead alleges that a $30.3 billion compensation agreement signed in 2024 prevents claimants from discussing the deal or paying legal fees. The firm claims to have incurred $1 billion in borrowing costs to finance the UK case. BHP has rejected all allegations, stating that Brazil remains the most appropriate jurisdiction for compensation. The case highlights the ongoing legal and ethical complexities surrounding one of the world’s worst mining disasters.

In Belem, Brazil, the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) has become a platform for Indigenous communities to amplify their voices. On Friday, Indigenous protesters disrupted access to the main venue, demanding urgent action on climate change and greater respect for their rights. The peaceful demonstration, led by members of the Munduruku Indigenous group, blocked the entrance, forcing attendees to use a side door and causing significant delays. Cris Julião Pankararu, a representative of the Pankararu people, described the protest as ‘a scream’ against the violation of Indigenous rights and exclusion from decision-making processes. Brazilian military personnel prevented demonstrators from entering the site, while activists formed human chains around the venue. COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago engaged with the protesters, even holding a baby during discussions, before the entrance reopened at 9:37 a.m. The Munduruku group presented a list of demands to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, including the cancellation of commercial river development projects, a grain railway initiative, and deforestation carbon credits. They emphasized their role as protectors of the Amazon and climate, rejecting the destruction of their lands for corporate gain. Conference CEO Ana Toni highlighted the inclusivity of COP30, with over 900 Indigenous participants, a record number. However, activists like Harjeet Singh expressed frustration over the lack of progress in past COPs, calling for tangible actions rather than mere discussions. Meanwhile, Indigenous leaders from the Ecuadorian Amazon warned of an irreversible tipping point due to oil drilling, mining, and agribusiness expansion. They urged for direct climate finance and stronger protections for Indigenous rights and nature. The protests underscore the growing urgency for global climate action and the need to center Indigenous voices in environmental decision-making.