Dr. A. K. Merchant*
The opening words of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at COP30—“The world is moving in the right direction but at the wrong speed”—bring to mind the Greek myth of Cassandra. Blessed with the gift of prophecy yet cursed never to be believed, Cassandra foresaw the fall of Troy, but her warnings went unheeded. Today, climate scientists face the same fate. Their predictions are rooted in evidence, yet the world continues to respond with hesitation. Few issues reflect Cassandra’s curse more starkly than the global climate crisis.
Climate change is no longer a debate—it is an undeniable reality reshaping our planet. We are witnessing the most severe climate emergencies in history: record-breaking heat waves, hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, unprecedented earthquakes in a single year, and even sporadic volcanic eruptions. Despite global pledges under the 2015 Paris Agreement, the world is far from holding temperature rise below 1.5°C. The year 2025 is already projected to be among the hottest on record.
At COP30 in Belem, Brazil (10–21 November), world leaders and their representatives are negotiating how to mobilize USD 1.3 trillion annually, address trade disputes, and verify national commitments toward emission cuts. Civil society organizations, acutely aware of the grim forecasts issued by climate scientists, are urging governments to reach meaningful decisions that can alter humanity’s trajectory.
The planet of today is barely recognizable compared to its pre-industrial state between 1850–1900, when greenhouse gas emissions were negligible. Since then, human activity has driven climate change, unleashing extreme weather events, disrupting seasonal patterns, and causing sea levels to rise. Humanity now confronts a crisis of its own making—a self-inflicted threat to its existence.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres captured the urgency when he stated that “international cooperation is straining under pressures unseen in our lifetimes.” He called on COP30 delegates to “ignite a decade of acceleration and delivery.” While past COPs have contributed to progress—expansion of renewable energy, green buildings, and electric vehicles—ongoing wars, conflict, and excessive resource consumption driven by the military–industrial complex continue to stall global progress toward the 1.5°C target.
The experiences of COP28 and COP29 reveal that reducing fossil fuels, improving industrial efficiency, and adopting principles of “sufficiency” in construction remain difficult. Developing nations argue that they face disadvantages created by richer countries, who now push for stronger Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) at COP30.
From the perspective of the Bahá’í Faith, global goals such as the COPs or the Sustainable Development Goals can only succeed if nations acknowledge that all have more to learn about integrating sustainability with development. Some wealthy nations offer high living standards but at great ecological cost. Others have minimal ecological footprints but still struggle to meet the basic needs of their people. Progress requires a balance: improving well-being for all while safeguarding the natural environment. This shared vision can anchor unity and collective action.
Environmental issues such as global warming, ozone depletion, nuclear winter, and acid rain share one fundamental truth: they are global. Greenhouse gases do not recognize national borders. They drift across continents, carried by wind and ocean currents. The planet is a unified system, and humanity cannot afford reckless technological expansion—especially with rapid advances in artificial intelligence—while ignoring long-term consequences. Technology must serve humanity, not endanger it.
Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration, “The earth is but one country, and humankind its citizens,” offers a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility. With collective determination, humanity can still build a better world and steer away from catastrophic outcomes.
Aligned with the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, India’s Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, delivered India’s National Statement at COP30. He urged developed nations to demonstrate stronger climate commitments, emphasizing that they must achieve net zero far earlier than their current timelines. He called for climate finance “in trillions, not billions,” and stressed that climate technologies must be affordable, accessible, and free from restrictive intellectual property barriers.
India’s progress demonstrates that development and environmental protection can go hand in hand. The country has reduced emission intensity by more than 36% since 2005, and non-fossil energy sources now account for over half of its installed power capacity—nearly 256 GW—achieving a major NDC target five years ahead of schedule. India has also taken global leadership through the International Solar Alliance, Global Biofuel Alliance, and major initiatives such as the Nuclear Mission and Green Hydrogen Mission, all contributing toward India’s Net Zero 2070 goal.
In keeping with the Paris Agreement’s objective of conserving carbon sinks, India planted more than two billion saplings in just sixteen months through a community-led initiative—an inspiring example of collective action. These achievements reaffirm India’s dedication to sustainability and climate justice. “Let the next decade be one of implementation, resilience, and shared responsibility,” the Minister urged.
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The writer is a social worker, independent researcher, and member of the Bahá’í Community of India.
