What can be said about the world's largest climate event – ​​COP30?

"The solution lies within us"

Social Participation; Awareness and Education; Solutions and Innovation.

At the conclusion of COP30 – Belém/PA (November 10-21, 2025), I would first like to thank you for the opportunity to participate in this important global event on climate change on our planet.

I can assure you it was a challenging opportunity, having learned about hundreds of urgent issues that require immediate action for humanity to survive on Earth. But, on the other hand, I affirm that the significant presence of non-governmental organizations—social movements and native peoples—especially indigenous and quilombola communities, who issued important warnings about the degradation of land, water, and forests, reinforced that our mission, as Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd—Little Shepherdesses, is on the right track. Either we join forces and position ourselves in favor of life in its integrity, or we will succumb in a short time. For Mother Earth is exhausted by our predatory lifestyle.

Scientists, activists, and other organized groups walked with long strides and rushed for transportation to the People's Summit, the Green Zone, the Interreligious Tapiri, and finally, the Global Climate March. Thousands tried to express their outrage at premature human deaths, the destruction of nature, the disrespect for human and constitutional rights, and the invasion of their territories.

While all this was happening, in the Blue Zone, presidents, ambassadors, and representatives of the high hierarchy of world governments and some accredited organizations were fighting to find a consensus on the sustainability of the ecosystem. But, unfortunately, there was no satisfactory agreement regarding the main issues proposed for COP30.

Amidst this turmoil, I was able to distribute more than 1,400 leaflets to representatives of non-governmental and ecclesial organizations from Brazil and around the world. It's worth noting that, in the Blue Zone, the general public did not have access. The objective of this leaflet distribution was to give visibility to the struggle (advances and setbacks) of the issues carried out in the mission of the Pastorinhas Sisters in the Ribeira Valley of São Paulo and Paraná, in particular, with the traditional peoples – quilombola communities.

The acceptance, interest, and perplexity regarding the mission of the Little Shepherdesses Sisters were evident in almost everyone who received the printed material. Some sought more information about this specific mission. Others offered congratulations. Others, even without knowing the language, tried to read and inquired if there was a translation, demonstrating discomfort at not being able to reciprocate the pamphlet. The smiles and gratitude of most people for the brochure were a pleasant surprise to me.

Even the almost unbearable heat did not discourage anyone. The strength received from all the popular demonstrations was a relief in the face of the participants' "near powerlessness" in the face of the unfolding of capitalist and consumerist actions, which were widely reflected upon and discussed. The hope for more promising days for humanity was illuminated by the unity, resistance, and persistence of the indigenous peoples, who did not budge from the tents addressing the affronts against their territories.

I could never keep some of the most important moments I experienced to myself. Therefore, some of the collections of images (photos and videos) and our perception of the current climate reality in Brazil and the world will be published in blocks.

I hope it will be possible to intertwine my on-site experience with our daily practice as defenders of life and integral ecology. Thank you.

COP30-Aprofundamento1.pdf

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Miriam de Souza

Contributor to the Adrianópolis Community