Trump, war, absent media: five threats to climate progress that dogged Cop30

A Climate Summit on Life Support: Five Threats to Progress

The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, has come to a close, leaving many wondering if it was a success or failure. The summit's outcome fell far short of expectations, with dozens of agreements hastily passed amidst chaos and controversy.

One major concern is the lack of global leadership on climate action. The absence of the United States and China, two of the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters, made it difficult for the meeting to achieve meaningful progress. Donald Trump's attacks on climate science and the UN have emboldened countries like Saudi Arabia, which successfully blocked any mention of fossil fuels from the agreement.

Another significant threat is the deep divide between environmental protection and economic interests. Brazil's hosts struggled to reconcile the need to promote conservation with the country's own extractive industries, resulting in a lackluster commitment to protect the Amazon rainforest.

European parsimony has also been a major issue, as many saw the EU's updated climate plan delayed until the last minute. This move was criticized for being more of a bargaining chip than a genuine commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Global conflicts have further complicated the situation, with many governments diverting resources from climate finance and overseas development aid. The media landscape has also been affected, with some news networks failing to send teams to cover the summit.

Perhaps most concerning is the antiquated global decision-making process that governs these negotiations. The UN's consensus-based approach can make it difficult for countries with differing views to come together, leading to frustration and resentment among smaller states like those in the Global South.

These five threats will need to be addressed at next year's climate summit in Turkey if progress is to be made on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of global warming.

I'm kinda surprised that countries with huge carbon footprints like China and the US weren't taken more seriously, it feels like they're just passing the buck . The EU's climate plan delay was also a major letdown, like they didn't really have their own house in order before trying to set an example .

And honestly, I'm worried that we're gonna keep going round and round on this without making any real progress, it feels like everyone's just playing their own little game and not really working towards a common goal . We need some leadership here, or else we'll be stuck in neutral forever .

It's also crazy that the media didn't cover the summit as much as they should've, I mean it's huge news and yet people are just kinda...meh . And what about all the smaller countries that get left behind by these negotiations? It's like they're not even on the radar .

I guess we'll just have to wait and see how next year's summit goes, but for now I'm just feeling pretty meh about it .

omg I'm literally so done with the whole COP30 thing it's like they're all just playing politics instead of actually doing something about the planet idk how much more of this we can take, first china and usa don't show up then saudi arabia blocks fossil fuels and now europe is being all stingy with its climate plan it's like they're all in cahoots or something I mean I get that it's hard to make decisions on this but can't we just get along for once? my anxiety levels are through the roof thinking about what might happen next

I'm not really sure how many of us were expecting COP30 to be a total success, but now that it's over, I'm kinda thinking maybe we shouldn't have expected too much in the first place . The thing is, when you've got countries like Saudi Arabia pushing back against climate action and EU countries playing games with their updated climate plan... it's hard to see how anyone can make progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

And don't even get me started on the lack of global leadership . When the US and China aren't at the table, it's like they're leaving a huge gap in terms of negotiating power. And with all these deep-seated divisions between environmental protection and economic interests... it feels like we're just going through the motions .

It also kinda worries me that global conflicts are causing governments to divert resources from climate finance and overseas development aid . And what's up with this antiquated decision-making process? Can't we just have a more transparent and inclusive way of doing things?

I guess all I'm saying is, we need to be realistic here . Progress won't come easily, but if next year's climate summit in Turkey is gonna make any difference, it needs to address these five major threats head-on .

I'm literally gutted by COP30's outcome . It feels like we're sleepwalking into an environmental disaster . The US and China's absence is a huge blow, and it's crazy that countries like Saudi Arabia got to block any mention of fossil fuels . And can we talk about the EU's climate plan being pushed to the last minute? It's all so frustrating!

I think what really gets me is how global conflicts are diverting resources from climate finance and aid . We need to prioritize these issues over nationalism and economic interests . And have you seen some news networks not covering COP30 at all? It's like they're trying to erase the summit's existence.

We need to rethink our decision-making process, too . The consensus-based approach is just not working . Smaller states in the Global South are getting frustrated, and it's hard to see how we'll make progress on climate action if we can't work together . Next year's summit in Turkey better come with some real solutions or else...

it's so disppointing to see how far COP30 fell short. i mean, we need more urgency & action on climate change ASAP! one thing that really gets me is how some countries are more worried about their economies than saving the planet . like, what's the point of having all this wealth if our future is gonna be destroyed? anyway, i think it's great that there's a clear call to action for next year's summit in Turkey can't wait to see some real progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions & protecting our planet!

Can't believe the US and China weren't even at this thing. What's going on, dude? Climate change is real, let's not make it harder than it needs to be

just got outta that COP30 thingy... honestly, feels like we're sleepwalking into a disaster . US and China not showin' up = nothin' gets done . And now Saudi Arabia's all like "no fossil fuels" ? Give me a break . European countries more worried 'bout their own economies than savin' the planet . And don't even get me started on Brazil's extractive industries and Amazon rainforest ... what's next, just let the whole thing burn ?! Also, global conflicts = climate finance gets diverted ... it's like we're all just playin' a game of "let's wait 'til next year" to fix this mess . Need a major overhaul of them decision-making processes ... or else

I'm still trying to wrap my head around COP30, but it seems like a total disaster . I mean, what's up with countries not taking climate change seriously? We're basically running out of time here, and our planet is literally on life support . As a student, it's disheartening to see grown adults bickering about something that affects us all so much . I wish the US and China would just take responsibility for their actions already . And can we talk about how EU's climate plan being pushed to the last minute is super lazy ? We need more urgency, not politicking . Anyway, fingers crossed that Turkey's summit next year will be a fresh start . Maybe then we'll finally make some progress on saving our planet

The COP30 debacle has left me thoroughly perplexed . It's disconcerting to see how a crucial opportunity to address the existential threat of climate change was squandered by the absence of global leadership, vested interests, and bureaucratic red tape . The United States and China's non-appearance was particularly galling, given their considerable carbon footprint. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's influence has cast a pall of uncertainty over any discussion of fossil fuels, a sector that's woefully ill-equipped to address the crisis at hand . It's clear that we need a more concerted effort to reconcile environmental protection with economic interests – perhaps by introducing more stringent regulations and incentives for sustainable practices? The EU's last-minute climate plan feels like a hollow gesture, but it's heartening to see some countries prioritizing action over grandstanding . One can't help but wonder if the UN's consensus-based approach will ever yield the decisive breakthroughs we so desperately need .

Ugh, I'm so done with these COPs ! Like, can't they just get it together already? The fact that the US and China aren't even there anymore makes a huge difference, but the EU being all stingy about their own climate plan is just rude . And don't even get me started on Saudi Arabia trying to block fossil fuel talks... like, come on guys! We need more urgency, not less. And the Amazon? Like, what's going on there?! It's a disaster waiting to happen. I'm really worried that we're not gonna make any progress at COP31 in Turkey...

OMG I'm soooo disappointed with COP30 , like what even happened? The US and China not showing up was a major fail , and Saudi Arabia being all like "no fossil fuels" is just wild . And don't even get me started on the EU's climate plan being delayed until the last minute ... it's like they're trying to sabotage the whole thing .

And can we talk about how climate finance is getting all diverted and stuff? I mean, isn't that what this summit is all about? It's just so frustrating . And can we please just get rid of the old UN decision-making process already? it's like they're trying to slow down progress on purpose .

I'm hella hyped for COP31 in Turkey though , I hope they actually do something about this climate change thing . We need more global leaders who are willing to take action !

The whole thing feels so bleak ... I mean, a climate summit that can't even get agreements passed without drama? It's like we're just spinning our wheels here . And those big players like China and the US just aren't showing up? That's not leadership, that's just a cop-out . And don't even get me started on Brazil trying to balance economic interests with conservation efforts ... it's like they think they can have it both ways . European countries being all stingy about their climate plans is another major problem ... we need some real commitment from our allies here, not just empty promises . And global conflicts and media lack of coverage? That just adds to the frustration . We can't keep going on like this, there needs to be some real change

omg, I'm literally so worried about the future . Like, I get it, politics can be super tricky, but can't we just put the planet first for once? I mean, what's the point of having a climate summit if we're not even gonna make any real changes?

and don't even get me started on the media landscape . If they can't even send teams to cover the summit, how are we supposed to stay informed about what's really going on? it's like, we need more transparency and accountability, you know?

but for real, I think the biggest threat is our own mindset . We're always talking about being mindful and present, but when it comes down to it, do we actually care about the planet? I hope next year's summit can make some real progress . we need it

omg u guys i'm tellin u this cop30 thing was a total setup they wanted us 2 b all confused n stuff n now the whole world's like "meh" about climate change lol what really got me is china n usa werent even there n brazil just gave it up 4 good n all they wana save the amazon but also wanna keep those extractive industries n dont even get me started on the eu n their sneaky ways n global conflicts? media blackout? sounds like some major cover-up

man this COP30 thing was such a mess i mean what happened to all that momentum from the Paris Agreement? it feels like we're just going through the motions now. and those fossil fuel lobbyists, ugh they just won't leave us alone anyway, the EU's delay on their climate plan is straight out of a bad 90s time capsule like, can't they see what's happening?! and don't even get me started on the Amazon rainforest situation it's crazy how our leaders can't prioritize something as simple as saving the planet. maybe next year in Turkey will be different, fingers crossed

Ugh , what a disaster ! I'm not surprised by all these setbacks tho . It's like everyone was just waiting for an excuse to bail on making any real changes . The US and China aren't going to suddenly start taking climate action tho , and the EU being all stingy with their own plans is just great . And don't even get me started on Saudi Arabia's influence . It's like they're trying to sabotage everything on purpose . The Amazon rainforest is basically toast now . I'm sure it'll be just another failed summit next year ...

OMG, like, where did this all go wrong? I mean, I knew the US and China weren't gonna show up, but come on, Saudi Arabia trying to block fossil fuel talk? That's just, like, so basic . And don't even get me started on Brazil's extractive industries vs conservation thing - that's just a big ol' mess .

And EU being all "we'll do it later" is just, like, so not cool . I mean, the media landscape is already all over the place with climate change coverage, and now we gotta worry about news networks not even sending teams? That's just, like, crazy .

But you know what really gets my goat? The global decision-making process being all outdated . Like, can't we just have a straight-up vote or something? I mean, the consensus thing is just, like, so hard to navigate when people don't agree .

Anywayz, gotta hope next year's summit in Turkey does better - fingers crossed!

I'm still trying to wrap my head around COP30 . I mean, who's surprised that it didn't go as planned? It feels like we're always stuck in this cycle of promises and broken agreements . The thing is, climate change isn't just about polar bears or melting ice caps – it's about the livelihoods of people living right now . We need to start seeing the world through their eyes, not just as a bunch of abstract statistics . And that's why the EU's last-minute plan delay really got my goat . I get that we need economic growth and development, but can't we find a way to balance that with saving the planet? It feels like we're sleepwalking into disaster . Next year's summit in Turkey is going to be crucial – let's hope they can actually make some progress .

I'm really disappointed with how COP30 went down . I mean, we knew there was gonna be some pushback from countries like Saudi Arabia, but to see them block any mention of fossil fuels straight out? That's just ridiculous . And don't even get me started on the EU's climate plan being pushed to the last minute . It feels like they were just using it as a bargaining chip instead of actually making some real progress .

And can we talk about how this lack of global leadership on climate action is affecting smaller countries? I mean, the Global South is already struggling to make ends meet, and now they're having to deal with the extra stress of trying to navigate these complex international negotiations . It's not just about polar bears and melting ice caps – it's about people's lives .

I'm also super frustrated that we can't have a more open and transparent decision-making process at these summits . The consensus-based approach is great in theory, but when it's applied to something as important as climate change, it just feels like a bunch of countries trying not to rock the boat .

And what really gets me is how some news networks are failing to cover these events properly . I mean, come on – we need journalists who are actually passionate about telling the stories that matter, not just pushing out whatever's easy to cover . Anyway, I'm hopeful that Turkey will be able to make some real progress next year .