Belém, Brazil – At COP30 in Belém do Pará today, over 50,000 people participated in the impactful People’s March for Climate, which included a significant representation of Pacific Island activists. This action combined Indigenous communities from across Latin America and global activists, uniting over 100 organizations to send a clear message: the fight against climate change is a collective endeavor led by voices from the Global South.
The march featured stunning displays of art and performance, with giant representations of coffins symbolizing the fossil fuel industry, as well as large suns, wind turbines, and 80 performers dressed as jaguars. These dramatic visuals aimed to highlight the urgent need to end the fossil fuel era and serve as a powerful reminder of the ongoing climate crisis, particularly in regions like the Amazon and the Pacific.
Activists emphasized the resonance between their struggles, with Fenton Lutunatabua, Pacific Team Lead for 350.org, stating, “Today the strength of the people was on display. While leaders negotiate our lives at COP30, we take to the streets to remind them that we are watching and we demand action, not empty promises.” He noted that the impact of fossil fuel exploration extends beyond borders, affecting both the Amazon communities and Pacific Islanders alike.
Suluafi Brianna Fruean, a Pacific Council Elder with 350.org, joined Lutunatabua in calling for genuine ambition and justice, underscoring the movement’s strength emanates from grassroots efforts. Tuvaluan climate activist Grace Malie highlighted the importance of unity in their fight, expressing hope that their collective action would transform pledges into concrete commitments for justice.
This significant mobilization not only shaped the narrative of COP30 but also reinforced a call for action against fossil fuel exploration in the Amazon and beyond. The vibrant demonstration marked a defining moment in global climate discourse, emphasizing the necessity for international solidarity in combating climate change.
Previously, several Indigenous leaders from Latin America and the Pacific had convened, uniting their voices to advocate for climate justice and recognition at global negotiations. They underscored the importance of empowering Indigenous communities and incorporating their perspectives in discussions, a sentiment echoed at the People’s March for Climate.
With mounting calls for an end to fossil fuel dependence, activists remain hopeful that COP30 will serve as a catalyst for substantial climate action, paving the way for a sustainable future that honors both Indigenous rights and global climate commitments. The sentiment shared by many in the march underlines a unified demand for accountability and transformative action in the ongoing struggle against climate change.