We Will Exterminate Ourselves’ Unless Fossil Fuels End, Activists Warn at COP30

Belem, Brazil
At the 30th UN Climate Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, delegates and climate activists issued stark warnings about the world’s over-reliance on fossil fuels. Indigenous leaders, environmental groups, and youth activists called for a globally binding “Fossil Fuel Treaty” to accelerate the phase-out of coal, oil, and gas.

Many delegates expressed frustration that despite earlier climate pledges, the expansion of fossil fuel extraction continues — particularly in high-emission countries such as the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Critics argue that current national plans do not match the urgency needed to limit global warming.

At the same time, Brazil used its presidency of COP30 to launch a climate-health action plan, spotlighting the disproportionate impact of climate change on children and marginalized communities.

Why It Matters:

A Fossil Fuel Treaty could reshape global climate policy by targeting the root cause of emissions.

The summit’s tone reflects growing impatience with incremental or short-term fixes.

If successful, new agreements could influence investing, energy policy, and national budgets sharply.

For developing and Indigenous communities, the climate-health dialogue may translate into real funding and protections.

What to Watch:

Whether countries back a Fossil Fuel Treaty and how strong its terms will be.

Commitments made on finance for climate-health actions, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Accountability mechanisms: how nations plan to enforce fossil fuel phase-out.

Responses from major fossil-fuel producing nations (especially in the Global North).