Belém do Pará was the host city for the United Nations Climate Summit (COP30), November 10-21, bringing more than 56,000 participants from 194 countries to the heart of the Amazon to confront the global climate crisis. The conference set new benchmarks for social participation with record representation from Indigenous and traditional communities, while mobilizing local institutions and volunteers across Pará and creating meaningful exchanges between Amazonian youth and global climate leaders. A standout moment was the Global March for Health Action on November 15, which drew an estimated 70,000 participants.
Post-COP30 engagement
In December, the Brazil Gateway and faculty from Ohio State’s Department of History participated in Meli Bees’ virtual event, “COP Is Over – What Now?” to explore the practical outcomes of COP30 and the role of communities in climate action. The discussion emphasized the need for accessible information, long-term partnerships, direct funding, and stronger integration of COP decisions into local and national policy. Community leaders also highlighted gaps between global commitments and local realities, challenges in accessing climate finance, and the growing importance of civil society visibility. The event highlighted Ohio State’s efforts to support and foster global academic connections.
COP30 Buckeye delegation highlights
Ohio State had a strong presence at COP 30. Associate Professor Jennifer Eaglin presented her research on the ecological impacts of Brazil’s ethanol industry alongside colleagues from the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), while Professor Bart Elmore spoke on how universities can support communities in responding to climate change. They also mentored Ohio State undergraduate Ryan Donahue and recent alumni Christine Andreeva and Elan Kyser, who represented the university in meetings with policymakers, agribusiness leaders and global partners at the Higher Education Pavilion.
The delegation also visited a rainforest site known as The Heart of the Amazon, where Ohio State teams are developing long-term conservation plans. Donahue is currently leading efforts to secure financing to protect the ecosystem in perpetuity. This marks Ohio State’s third time to the UN Climate Summit in recent years, underscoring the university’s growing commitment to global environmental engagement. Learn more about those travels and other initiatives in the environmental history space at: https://history.osu.edu/course-information/ehi
Pereira da Silva Shares COP30 insights
Hilton Pereira da Silva ’98 MA, ’01 PhD, professor at the Federal University of Pará, alumni, was highly active at COP30, participating in several events.
"Despite a difficult global landscape, the Belém COP demonstrated the power of unity. We must decide whether to continue the over-exploitation of the planet and the widening of social inequities, or choose the path laid out in Belém: building a global society that is supportive, inclusive, multilateral, and resilient," she said "Additionally, the success of COP30 proves that no decision about the Amazon should ever be made without the direct and intense participation of its people."