标签： South America

In November 2015, the Indigenous Krenak people of Minas Gerais, Brazil, witnessed what they now refer to as “the death of the river.” A week before the catastrophic event, they sensed an ominous change—birds ceased their songs, the air grew heavy, and an eerie silence enveloped their village. On November 5, the Samarco mining dam, a joint venture between Brazilian company Vale and Anglo-Australian BHP Billiton, collapsed near Mariana, unleashing a torrent of toxic iron ore waste. The disaster buried the nearby community of Bento Rodrigues, claimed 19 lives, and contaminated the Doce River for nearly 600 kilometers before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. For the Krenak, whose lives revolved around the river for food, rituals, and daily sustenance, the tragedy was not just environmental but deeply spiritual. Shirley Djukurnã Krenak, an Indigenous leader, described it as “the saddest day for my people.” A decade later, the river remains polluted, and reconstruction efforts have been mired in legal disputes. Despite Brazil’s ambition to lead global climate policy, hosting the UN’s COP30 summit in 2025, the unresolved legacy of Mariana casts doubt on its credibility. Indigenous congresswoman Célia Xakriabá emphasized that the Doce River is still “sick,” with contaminated fish and ill communities. Critics argue that Brazil’s environmental governance remains flawed, citing weakened laws and inadequate funding for environmental agencies. The 2015 disaster exposed systemic vulnerabilities, yet subsequent deregulation and policies like the “devastation bill” threaten to undermine Brazil’s climate goals. As COP30 approaches, Indigenous leaders like Krenak remain skeptical of its impact, calling for genuine action to protect rivers, forests, and Indigenous territories. Despite the challenges, they hold onto hope for a future where their children can drink water without fear.

In a significant move ahead of the U.N. climate conference in Brazil, 300 mayors from around the world convened in Rio de Janeiro on Monday to pledge coordinated climate action. Organized by C40, a network of mayors from major cities, the summit emphasized the urgent need to address the escalating impacts of global warming, particularly rising temperatures that are severely affecting urban populations. Selwyn Hart, the U.N. special adviser and assistant secretary-general for climate change, highlighted the critical role of mayors in the climate crisis, stating that local leaders are essential as the world enters the second decade of implementing the 2015 Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement aims to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, requiring drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Ana Toni, Brazil’s climate change chief and CEO of COP30, stressed that achieving these goals depends heavily on the active involvement of mayors, who make crucial daily decisions impacting their communities. The summit also addressed the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan criticizing the Trump administration for its climate policies, labeling the president as a ‘climate wrecker.’ Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego announced ambitious climate actions from 50 U.S. cities, despite federal setbacks, including initiatives to combat extreme heat through tree planting, cool-surface technology, and heat-relief training. The event concluded with the launch of the Cool Cities Accelerator, a global coalition of 33 cities committed to implementing emergency measures to protect residents from extreme heat, supported by various foundations and organizations.

Prince William, the Prince of Wales, embarked on a landmark five-day visit to Brazil, marking his first international trip to a COP summit. The visit began with a symbolic ceremony on Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, where he was presented with the keys to the city by Mayor Eduardo Paes. The backdrop of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue added grandeur to the occasion. Prince William, known for his environmental advocacy, traveled to the summit via cable car, surprising tourists who later shared selfies with the royal. His visit is centered on two key environmental initiatives: presenting the Earthshot Prize, an annual award he founded to combat climate change, and delivering a speech at COP30 in the Amazon rainforest. The Earthshot Prize, now in its fifth year, awards £1 million grants to innovative projects addressing global environmental challenges. This year’s shortlist includes groundbreaking initiatives such as an upcycled skyscraper in Sydney and a microplastic filtration system in Bristol. Prince William emphasized the optimism and courage of the nominees, calling them ‘heroes of our time.’ Beyond his formal duties, the prince immersed himself in Brazilian culture, visiting the Maracana Stadium, where he met football legend Cafu, who presented him with a signed Brazil jersey. Cafu, alongside other notable figures, will co-present the Earthshot Prize. The visit also comes amid ongoing royal family controversies, though sources confirm Prince William’s focus remains on his environmental mission. Mayor Paes humorously remarked that Rio now ‘belongs to Prince William’ for the next 72 hours, highlighting the warmth of his reception.