Following another year of record temperatures and powerful storms, world leaders are gathering in BelĂ©m, Brazil, ahead of the official opening of the COP30 climate talks. But the leaders attending—notably, they do not include US President Donald Trump—will be confronted by the fraying global consensus on climate change, amid difficult geopolitical headwinds. A major risk to multilateral climate action is the presidency of Trump, who has described global warming as the world’s “greatest con job.” Reuters reported that some European officials have been bracing for a possible intervention by the Trump administration—despite the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Washington recently torpedoed a carbon levy on shipping, and the European officials are worried that the Trump administration could make threats with tariffs or visa restrictions to influence the COP talks too. “If they pull the same tactics, I think there’s zero chance of having any sort of rallying around the Paris Agreement in response,” one official told Reuters.
From The New Humanitarian, Nov. 7. Internal link added.
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Record annual rise in atmospheric CO2 levels
The United Nations warned Oct. 15 that CO2 levels in the atmosphere saw their biggest annual jump on record in 2024, driven by fossil fuel emissions, wildfires and weakening natural absorption by land and oceans. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said the increase in CO2 levels from 2023 to 2024 marked the biggest one-year jump since records began in 1957.
The WMO voiced “significant concern” that the land and oceans are becoming unable to soak up CO2. It warned that the planet could be witnessing a “vicious cycle” of climate feedback—whereby increasing greenhouse gas emissions fuel rising temperatures and trigger wildfires that release more CO2, while warmer oceans cannot absorb as much CO2 from the air. (France24)
Brazil approves Amazon drilling ahead of COP30
Despite Brazilian President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva’s much-vaunted ambitions to lead the fight against climate change, Lula continues to look to the oil industry to build Brazil’s wealth. He argues that the money generated from oil exports will help finance the country’s transition to cleaner energy. (France24)
Brazil’s minister for the environment and climate change, Marina Silva, is defending the decision by the national environmental agency IBAMA to authorize state oil giant Petrobras to explore the Foz do Amazonas sedimentary basin, near the mouth of the Amazon River. The license to drill wells in block FZA-M-59, in the area of the Brazilian coast known as the Equatorial Margin, was granted Oct. 20. (BdF)
Brazil urged to remove illegal ranches in Amazon
Human Rights Watch released a report Oct. 15 highlighting the devastation caused by illegal cattle ranching in the Brazilian rainforest, and especially its impact on indigenous peoples in the state of Pará. The organization called on the federal government to evict the cattle ranches and restore affected communities. It also urged JBS, the world’s largest meat-processing company, to take responsibility for its role in deforestation. (Jurist)
Indigenous protesters clash with security at COP30
Indigenous protesters stormed the COP30 climate summit in BelĂ©m, demanding action to protect their forests and communities. With drums, chants, and painted faces, they broke through gates, pushed past security guards, and confronted world leaders gathered to discuss global warming. The protest highlights long-standing frustration over neglected schools, clinics, and shrinking forests, contrasting with billions spent on the summit’s new venue. Two guards are reported injured, and the site suffered minor damage. (Firstpost)