While most delegates are flying directly to Belém, Brazil for the world's most important climate conference, one journalist is taking a dramatically different route. The Guardian's global environment reporter Jonathan Watts is embarking on a three-day boat journey up the Amazon River to reach COP30, accompanied by indigenous leaders, climate scientists, artists, and even an expert in dreams and the subconscious.
The Slow Road to Climate Talks
This unconventional approach to covering the climate summit was organised through Watts' journalistic organisation Sumauma. Rather than joining the international delegations flying into Belém, Watts chose to experience the Amazon rainforest from the perspective of those who know it best - travelling hundreds of kilometres by boat to arrive just in time for the summit's commencement.
The journey promises unique insights at a critical moment for global climate policy. With the wellbeing of the world's largest rainforest expected to be at the forefront of discussions, Watts aims to bring perspectives from communities whose lives are intimately connected to the Amazon's health and survival.
An Unconventional Delegation
The boat carries a diverse group of passengers whose collective expertise spans multiple disciplines relevant to the climate crisis. Indigenous leaders aboard bring generations of knowledge about forest stewardship, while climate scientists provide data-driven understanding of the Amazon's crucial role in regulating global climate patterns.
The inclusion of musicians and an expert in dreams and the subconscious suggests a holistic approach to understanding humanity's relationship with nature. This mix of traditional knowledge, scientific research, and artistic interpretation creates a unique environment for discussing solutions to the climate crisis before even reaching the formal negotiations.
Why the Amazon Matters for COP30
The location of COP30 in Brazil places the Amazon rainforest at the centre of climate discussions. As one of the planet's most significant carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots, its protection is crucial for meeting global climate targets. The journey highlights the stark contrast between rapid deforestation and the slow, deliberate pace of understanding this complex ecosystem.
Watts' river voyage serves as a powerful metaphor for the climate movement itself - the recognition that some journeys cannot be rushed, and that meaningful solutions require listening to those with deepest connection to the land. As the boat makes its way toward Belém, the conversations onboard may well preview the urgent discussions awaiting delegates at the official summit.
