By Abbas Nazil
Four influential Brazilians are set to play key roles in shaping global climate discussions as the UN COP30 conference begins Monday in Belém, Brazil.
The summit, running from November 10 to 21, will see leaders, scientists, and activists converge in the Amazon to address urgent climate challenges.
Among the figures to watch is Environment Minister Marina Silva, who has become a symbol of Brazil’s delicate balance between economic development and environmental protection.
Raised on a rubber plantation, Silva’s deep connection to the forest has guided her lifelong environmental advocacy.
Though she previously resigned from Lula’s government in 2008 over policy clashes, she returned in 2023, now facing renewed debates on oil exploration in the Amazon River basin.
Silva, named one of Time’s 100 most influential people of 2024, said contradictions in policy must be managed thoughtfully.
Another key figure is Carlos Nobre, a veteran climatologist and Nobel Peace Prize co-recipient through the UN’s IPCC.
Nobre has long warned that unchecked deforestation could push the Amazon past a “point of no return,” transforming it into a savannah.
He believes Brazil could lead the global energy transition if it enforces strong environmental measures.
Txai Surui, a 27-year-old Indigenous activist and UN climate advisor, is expected to bring the voices of Brazil’s 1.7 million Indigenous people to the forefront.
She became internationally known after her emotional COP26 speech urging immediate climate action.
Finally, Fafá de Belém, a celebrated singer and activist from the host city, will perform at the event while advocating for greater Amazonian representation.
She founded the “Varanda da Amazônia” forum to connect art and environmental awareness, stressing that emotional engagement is essential for climate action.
