Brazil - Takeaways from COP30 for Salesian Educators

(ANS – Belém) -  COP30, the annual United Nations climate summit organized by the UNFCCC, concluded recently in Belém, Brazil. Representing the Salesian Family were Fr. Mathew Thomas from New York, Fr. Silvio Torres from Argentina, and Camila de Paula from Brazil. At the close of the conference, Fr. Mathew shared five key insights especially relevant to Salesian educators whose mission is to guide young people.

1. Climate change is a concern for the young

Climate change is not only a scientific or political issue—it directly affects the lives and future of young people. Teachers, catechists, and youth ministers play a vital role in shaping how the young understand the causes and consequences of climate change and the impact of their choices and lifestyles. Educators help awaken hope, responsibility, and concrete action.

2. Connect faith with care for creation

Caring for the earth is rooted in our faith. Creation is God’s gift, entrusted to us as stewards. Simple prayers, Scripture reflections, and expressions of gratitude for nature can help the young unite faith and science. Eco‑spirituality offers a strong foundation for ecological commitment.

3. Keep justice at the center

The effects of climate change fall hardest on the most vulnerable—Indigenous communities, low‑income families, and those living near forests, rivers, and coastlines. Their voices and experiences should be brought into classrooms and youth groups. Encouraging young people to ask “Who benefits?” and “Who is left out?” helps form a sense of justice rooted in Salesian preferential love for the poor.

4. Make our campuses models of ecological living

Salesian schools and centers can become living examples of care for our common home. Simple, consistent practices—saving energy and water, reducing waste, eliminating single‑use plastics, using sustainable transport, and planting native trees—teach by example. Most importantly, young people should be empowered to lead these initiatives.

5. Involve the wider community

Climate education should extend beyond classrooms and oratories. Engaging families and local communities through practical workshops—on cooling homes, reducing energy bills, or caring for trees—helps make climate action accessible. Collaboration with scientists, health workers, indigenous leaders, and local experts strengthens shared responsibility.

A key message from COP30 was that education remains central to effective climate action. It equips societies to understand climate change, make informed choices, and participate actively in solutions. For Salesian educators, this means helping the young believe that every small action matters. Every choice—what they buy, say, study, or defend—is a seed planted for the planet’s future. COP30 has reaffirmed that education is one of the most powerful pathways for youth‑led ecological transformation.