The UN Climate Change Conference, Cop30, began on Monday (10) in Belém, Pará, with President Lula criticizing wars, climate denialism, and algorithms in his opening speech. The event unfolds amid global coordination challenges, with the United States absent under Donald Trump's influence. However, California Governor Gavin Newsom is present to mitigate the impact.
The Cop30, hosted in Belém for the first time in an Amazonian capital, marks a crucial moment in combating climate change. President Lula positioned Brazil as a leader in adhering to scientific evidence, advocating an ambitious agenda without setbacks. In his speech, he criticized denialism, wars, and algorithms that polarize the environmental debate, while calling for a 'map to end oil'.
Climate change requires global coordination, but individual actions are ineffective without collective adherence, as highlighted in Joel Pinheiro da Fonseca's column. The goal of limiting warming to 1.5 °C has already been exceeded, and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are voluntary, with low adherence due to the lack of penalties. Donald Trump's influence, who denies the problem and politicizes it, pressures other leaders, leading to a discourse shift from figures like Bill Gates and low presence of international companies.
Folha readers expressed skepticism: one stated that without the US, Cop decisions are irrelevant, while another criticized Lula's contradictions, such as oil exploration in the Equatorial margin of the Amazon and the choice of Belém, which requires polluting vessel accommodations. Despite rising nationalism, which hinders investments in diffuse global benefits, Fonseca argues that the environmental cause must transcend ideologies to mobilize all sides. Newsom's presence helps, but success depends on sustainable commitments and public engagement.