Empower Amazonian youth at UN's COP30 conference

It should come as no surprise that the Amazon is a region central to Vaga Lume’s work. In fact, we work in 23 municipalities across 9 states in the Legal Amazon. However, this month, thousands of people from all corners of the globe will join us in the special region that we call home, descending upon Belém. This year, the UN’s COP30, the largest climate conference in the world, will be held in Belém, and Vaga Lume could not be more excited. 

What is COP30? 

 The full name of COP30 is the30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Conference of the Parties is an annual climate conference held by the United Nations that addresses some of the most pressing climate-related issues faced by the global community. Each year, the COP brings together the world’s top scientists, policymakers, and NGOs (such as Vaga Lume!), providing an opportunity to join forces in working to keep the global temperature increase below the threshold of 1.5°C, increase climate justice efforts, and support climate innovations such as renewable energy. 

Why Belém? 

The Amazon is one of the most critical regions in regards to climate wellbeing: it is one of the most biologically diverse regions on Earth (housing10% of all known species), plays a critical role in global climate regulation, contains nearly of all of the remaining tropical rainforest on Earth, and is home to countless indigenous communities living at the forefront of the fight against climate change. The UN selected to host this critical conference in Belém because the Amazon is a direct representation of current climate priorities. This year, the conference is expected to address countless topics that are pressing to the Amazon, such as forest protection, climate justice, and the protection of indigenous communities. 

How will Vaga Lume participate? 

Vaga Lume is proud to continue our investments in the Amazon through this conference, and we could not be more happy that the Amazon is being recognized at this global scale. This summer, Vaga Lume launcheda campaign dedicated to providing trainings and transportation to COP30 for Amazonian youth, allowing them to effectively take part in the critical climate discussions that shape their lives.  

Furthermore, these youth will join Vaga Lume in celebrating the inauguration of the newly transformed community library in Boa Vista, located in Castanhal, Pará, just one hour away from Belém. Although the library has existed since 2011, this year we rebuilt and transformed it into a sustainable space — constructed with certified wood and powered by renewable energy. 

We hope this new chapter will highlight the resilience and vibrancy of the Amazon to the global community, inspiring greater awareness and investment in the region. 

How can I contribute? 

No part of Vaga Lume’s mission would be possible without the generous supporters who power our work — and the momentum created by the COP that concluded last Friday is no exception. The conference offered a powerful stage to showcase the beauty and urgency of the Amazon, while elevating the voices of young leaders who are ready to advocate for their territory and shape the future of the forest. 

Now, as we look beyond the COP, our commitment is to ensure that these youth remain empowered, active, and heard. We want them to continue leading discussions, strengthening their communities, and defending the Amazon long after the global spotlight moves on. 

To make this possible, we need your support. With $30, you fund a child’s participation in trainings, helping them stay engaged in leadership activities. With $10, you provide a book to a community library — a simple gift that can transform curiosity into knowledge and knowledge into action.Your contribution today helps sustain the protagonism of Amazonian youth and keeps the forest’s defenders firmly in the center of the conversation. 

We hope we can count on you. Thank you for standing with the Amazon and with its young leaders.