Young climate activists gather in brazilian amazon for cop30, demanding action on future they’ll inherit

As young environmental activists from around the world converged in Belém, Brazil, for COP30 climate negotiations, they carried a sobering reminder: today’s climate crisis stems from decisions made decades ago, and the choices being made now will determine the world they inherit.

Scientists call this phenomenon “climate lag” – the 20 to 30-year delay between when greenhouse gases are released and when their full climate impacts become visible. This temporal disconnect means the flooding, droughts, and extreme weather events devastating communities today resulted from emissions released in the 1990s and early 2000s. More critically, it means the climate decisions negotiated at COP30 will shape the planet these young delegates will call home in 2050 and beyond.

The youth representatives gathering in the Brazilian Amazon city represent diverse backgrounds from both the Global South and North, but they share an urgent common goal: ensuring the world remains livable and sustainable for future generations. Their presence at the UN climate talks underscores a generational shift in environmental advocacy, as those who will live longest with the consequences of today’s policy choices demand a seat at the negotiating table.

Among their concerns are immediate threats already materializing. One delegate highlighted how Port-Gentil, Gabon’s economic capital, faces complete submersion within 50 years according to expert projections – a stark example of how climate impacts are already locked in, making swift action on future emissions even more crucial for the next generation’s survival.