UPDATE: A powerful protest erupted at the 30th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, where Indigenous Amazonian leaders, primarily from the Tupinambá community, marched into restricted areas demanding their lands remain untouched by agribusiness and illegal mining. “We want our lands free from agribusiness, oil exploration, illegal miners, and illegal loggers,” declared a community leader, emphasizing the urgency of their message as global carbon emissions rise.
As November 21, 2025, marks the end of COP30, activists highlight the stark contrast between the conference’s discussions and the realities faced by Indigenous communities. The Ka’apor people, who have successfully defended their territory through direct action, report that 80 percent of their deforested lands have been restored. Their resistance strategy includes closing logging roads and expelling illegal loggers, showcasing a model of community-led environmental protection that stands in stark opposition to government inaction.
The situation is dire; between 2008 and 2022, at least 11 members of the Ka’apor community were assassinated amid ongoing struggles for land rights, with no one held accountable. Despite this, they continue to mobilize. Community leader Marakaja stated, “We’ll keep supporting them going forward. We’ll keep closing access roads, creating protection areas. That’s how we do it.”
In a similar vein, the Guarani community in the Atlantic Forest has also taken matters into their own hands, staging protests and reclaiming their lands. “Our movement became something much more widespread, decentralized, and not patriarchal,” said Jerá Guarani, a leader from Kalipety, illustrating the grassroots movements that are gaining momentum despite the bureaucratic hurdles posed by agencies like FUNAI.
COP30’s focus on Indigenous empowerment has been critiqued by those on the ground, who view FUNAI as an obstacle rather than an ally. The conference serves as a platform for discussions, but many communities feel sidelined as they implement their own solutions to environmental crises. “If you wait for the government to do something, you’ll still be sitting around when you die,” warned Gah Te Iracema, a Kaingang community leader.
A significant aspect of these grassroots movements is the innovative agricultural practices being revived. The Guarani and Ka’apor people are not only focused on environmental protection but are also revitalizing traditional food systems. By transitioning to agrofloresta, they cultivate crops alongside trees, promoting biodiversity and soil health. This holistic approach combats material poverty while enhancing cultural identity and ecological resilience.
The growing network known as Teia dos Povos emphasizes solidarity among communities facing similar challenges. For instance, Terra Vista, once a depleted plantation, is now a thriving community that produces vital crops using Indigenous agricultural methods. This transformation illustrates the potential for self-sufficiency and ecological restoration that Indigenous practices can offer.
As COP30 wraps up, the urgent call for justice and recognition of Indigenous land rights becomes ever more crucial. The UN acknowledges that Indigenous peoples safeguard 80 percent of the planet’s biodiversity yet receive less than 1 percent of international climate funding. This glaring discrepancy underscores the need for a paradigm shift in how climate action is funded and implemented.
What’s Next: As COP30 concludes, the spotlight remains on the grassroots movements outside the conference walls. Their resilience and innovative approaches offer a blueprint for sustainable practices that could reshape not only Brazil’s environmental landscape but also provide vital lessons for global climate strategies. The world is watching as these communities continue to fight for their rights and the health of the planet.
Stay tuned for more updates on the ongoing struggles of Indigenous communities as they redefine environmental activism and reclaim their futures in the face of systemic challenges.
