Deep in the heart of the Amazon, communities that have lived in harmony with the rainforest for generations are looking to COP30 for new pathways to protect their home and improve livelihoods.
Set to open early next month, COP30 will gather delegates from nearly 200 countries and regions to negotiate stronger climate commitments. For Amazon residents, the conference represents a critical opportunity to bring local voices and solutions to the global stage.
The Amazon spans more than 6 million square kilometers and supports over 25 million residents. It stores an estimated 150 billion metric tons of carbon and hosts around 10 percent of the worlds known biodiversity. Yet deforestation has accelerated in recent years, driven by illegal logging, agriculture and mining – threatening both the forest and the communities who depend on it.
Across the basin, grassroots initiatives are already demonstrating what sustainable stewardship can look like. In Para state, community mapping projects use drones and open-source data to monitor forest health in real time. Agroforestry cooperatives in Acre are blending traditional cultivation with native tree planting, boosting incomes while rebuilding ecosystems.
"We know this forest better than anyone," says Maria Silva, a community leader in the Amazon region. "At COP30, we want governments and companies to recognize our right to manage the land and support our projects with funding and fair markets."
Indigenous leaders and local NGOs are calling for clear commitments on finance, land rights and enforcement against illegal activities. They hope COP30 will deliver a dedicated fund for community-led conservation and a roadmap to integrate indigenous knowledge into national climate plans.
With the future of the worlds largest rainforest at stake, Amazon communities are urging global citizens, investors and policymakers to listen, collaborate and act. Their message is simple: protecting the Amazon is not just a regional issue but a shared responsibility that demands immediate, inclusive solutions.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
