Lula Calls for Global ‘Mutirão’ to Combat Climate Change
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva today urged a worldwide collective effort – a “mutirão” – to address climate change, emphasizing the need for action from governments, individuals, and grassroots organizations.
Speaking on November 6, 2025, Lula stated that fighting climate change must be a priority for every government and person on the planet, and that the current disconnect between diplomatic discussions and real-world impact needs to be resolved. He specifically highlighted the importance of listening to Indigenous communities and those most affected by the climate crisis. The “mutirão” concept, originating from the Indigenous Tupi-Guarani language, embodies the spirit of collective action and has been adopted as a slogan for the COP30 presidency.
“We need to overcome the mismatch of the lack of connection between diplomatic dialogue and the actual world,” Lula said. He further connected climate change to broader societal inequalities, stating, “Climate change is the result of the same dynamics that during centuries has broken our societies between rich and poor.” This underscores the growing recognition that climate solutions must also address issues of social and economic justice; learn more about climate justice from the United Nations.
Lula warned that the window of opportunity to act is “closing quickly,” and emphasized the link between fighting climate change and combating hunger, poverty, racism, and gender inequality. Failure to address climate change will disproportionately impact vulnerable populations and exacerbate existing global challenges, as detailed in recent reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
The President concluded by stating that overcoming these inequalities is crucial, and that a unified, collaborative approach is essential to effectively tackle the climate crisis.
