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Global Leaders Condemn Trump's Climate Stance as COP30 Opens in Belém
World leaders gathered in the Amazonian city of Belém for the COP30 climate summit have sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for dismissing climate science, with the presidents of Colombia and Chile labeling him a liar. The two-week conference aims to broker a new global deal on climate financing, particularly for forest conservation, but faces challenges as key nations-including the U.S., China, Russia, and India-send no top-level representation.
Trump's Absence and Controversial Remarks Dominate Discussions
Trump, who skipped the summit, has repeatedly rejected climate science, calling it "the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world" during a September address at the UN. His assertion that industrialized nations should not "inflict pain on themselves" to address climate change has drawn ire from attendees, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who warned of "extremist forces" spreading misinformation and jeopardizing future generations.
Chilean Environment Minister Maisa Rojas reinforced the scientific consensus, telling the BBC, "The science is very clear. It is very important not to falsify the truth." The remarks underscore growing frustration among participants over the U.S. retreat from climate commitments, even as negotiators struggle to advance concrete measures.
UK's Mixed Signals: Pledge to Climate Action Amid Funding Withdrawal
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged the erosion of global political unity on climate change, stating that the once-shared consensus "sadly is gone." Despite his assurance that "the UK is all-in," London's last-minute withdrawal from Brazil's flagship $125 billion Tropical Forests Forever Facility has sparked outrage. The fund, designed to protect critical rainforests like the Amazon and Congo Basin, had counted on UK leadership after Britain championed deforestation halts at COP26 in Glasgow.
Former UK Environment Minister Lord Zach Goldsmith called the move "deeply frustrating," revealing that Brazil's government was "furious" behind the scenes. The decision contrasts with Prince William's endorsement of the fund, which he praised as "a visionary step toward valuing nature's role in climate stability" during his address to leaders on Thursday.
"I have long believed in the power of urgent optimism: the conviction that, even in the face of daunting challenges, we have the ingenuity and determination to make a difference, and to do so now."
Prince William, addressing COP30 delegates
Finance and Forest Protection Take Center Stage
The summit's core agenda includes mobilizing funds to shield vulnerable nations from climate impacts and scaling up forest protection. Rainforests, covering just 6% of Earth's land, store billions of tons of carbon and harbor half the planet's species. Yet progress remains elusive: most countries have failed to submit updated emission-cutting plans, and Hurricane Melissa's recent devastation in the Caribbean-where climate change intensified rainfall by 16%, per Imperial College-highlights the stakes.
Negotiations over the next two weeks will focus on bridging financial gaps, with developed nations under pressure to fulfill pledges to support climate-vulnerable regions. Lula's call for $25 billion in public funding for the Tropical Forests Facility now faces uncertainty after the UK's withdrawal, casting doubt on the summit's ability to deliver tangible outcomes.
Key Challenges Ahead
- Leadership void: Absence of heads of state from the U.S., China, Russia, and India weakens momentum.
- Funding shortfalls: UK's exit from the forest fund risks undermining Brazil's conservation goals.
- Scientific urgency: Recent extreme weather events, like Hurricane Melissa, underscore the need for accelerated action.
