COP30 opened along the banks of the Amazon, drawing global attention. UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell told delegates on Monday:

Your job in the COP30 arena is not to fight each other, it is to fight the climate crisis together.

Stiell acknowledged the value of past climate negotiations but stressed that “much, much more work” remains. Countries must act faster than ever to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “Mourning is not a strategy. We need solutions,” he added.

Scientific Warnings and Critical Thresholds

A recent UN analysis shows that current climate pledges fall far short of the reductions needed to keep temperatures within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2035. Experts warn that surpassing this threshold would have far more severe impacts than the world has faced so far.

Leaders Speak Out

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said at the opening:

“Climate change is no longer a threat for the future; it is a tragedy of today.”

Lula criticized those undermining climate efforts:

They attack institutions, science, and universities. It’s time to give climate deniers another defeat.

Peruvian indigenous leader Pablo Inuma Flores called on world leaders to move beyond promises “We want them to start protecting, not just pledging. Indigenous peoples suffer most from climate change impacts.”

U.S. Absence

The United States is not sending delegates to COP30 due to former President Donald Trump’s stance on climate change. Former U.S. climate envoy Todd Stern commented “It’s better that they send no one. Even if they did, it would not be constructive.”

COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago said the absence provides an opportunity for developing countries to showcase their efforts.

Urgent Warnings from Scientists

On Monday, dozens of scientists submitted a letter to COP30 expressing concern over the rapid melting of glaciers, ice sheets, and other frozen regions of the planet. The letter stated:

The cryosphere is destabilizing at an alarming rate. Geopolitical tensions or short-term national interests must not overshadow COP30. Climate change is the defining security and stability challenge of our time.

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