What A Day US Absent From Global Climate Conference
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Nov 20, 2025 Somini Sengupta, an international climate reporter for The New York Times, discusses the recent climate conference in Belém, Brazil, where the U.S. notably did not send a delegation. She highlights the significant presence of Indigenous leaders advocating for their rights and biodiversity protection. There were mass protests demanding a fossil-fuel phaseout and adaptation funding. Somini also explores how the U.S. absence affects global climate negotiations and the strategic role California's Gavin Newsom played at the event.
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Amazon As The Centerpiece
- COP30 in Belém highlighted the Amazon's role in global climate stability and Brazil's desire to showcase forest protection progress.
- Somini Sengupta explains Brazil picked Belém to draw attention to tropical forests and slowed deforestation under President Lula.
Land Rights Protect Forests
- Indigenous leaders at COP30 insisted territorial rights are essential to protecting forests and biodiversity.
- Somini Sengupta notes research shows indigenous-controlled lands have stronger protection and richer biodiversity.
Massive Protests Outside COP30
- Thousands of climate activists, youth, and indigenous protesters marched outside COP30 demanding faster fossil-fuel phaseout and adaptation funding.
- Somini Sengupta describes the crowd calling for rapid transition, money for adaptation, and land rights recognition.