As the sun set over the Amazonian city of Belém, Brazil, on November 22, 2025, the world’s eyes turned to the closing moments of the COP30 United Nations Climate Summit. At the center of the action was André Corrêa do Lago, COP30 president, who addressed a crowded news conference with a sense of urgency that has become all too familiar to climate watchers. Yet, despite the summit’s high stakes and the mounting evidence of climate disruption, the global effort to curb fossil fuel use seemed to stall on the very language needed to confront the crisis.
Nearly two hundred nations had gathered in Belém, marking a decade since the landmark 2015 Paris agreement, which saw countries collectively acknowledge the threat of rising global temperatures and vow to take action. But as delegates wrapped up the annual talks, a sense of déjà vu and frustration permeated the air. According to reporting by the New York Daily News and other outlets, the final statement of the U.N. talks conspicuously avoided even mentioning the words "fossil fuels," a move that left many climate advocates disheartened.
The backdrop to this hesitation is a world increasingly battered by the effects of global warming. In the United States alone, the cost of hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other climate-related disasters — each inflicting at least $1 billion in damages — has been escalating at a record pace. From 2023 to 2024, the planet saw the largest recorded jump in heat-trapping carbon dioxide levels, driven by the relentless burning of fossil fuels. These emissions have set off a cascade of consequences: warmer oceans that spawn stronger hurricanes, heavier downpours leading to catastrophic floods, and droughts that dry out vegetation and prime the landscape for devastating wildfires.
Despite these warning signs, the summit in Belém reflected a broader trend: the resurgence of climate denial and the growing power of disinformation. As the New York Times and other sources highlighted, the oil, gas, and coal industries have continued to downplay the scientific consensus that burning fossil fuels is dangerously heating the planet. This strategy is not confined to industry boardrooms; it is echoed by oil-rich nations such as Russia and Saudi Arabia, and, under President Trump, by the United States itself.
President Trump’s stance on climate change has been nothing if not combative. He has repeatedly mocked global warming as a "hoax," a refrain that finds fertile ground among a chorus of online influencers who spread disinformation on social media platforms. These platforms, once proactive in curbing climate denial, have seen a rollback in moderation efforts, allowing conspiracy theories and misinformation to flourish. As a result, the influence of climate denial on global policy debates has grown, emboldening those who would resist efforts to transition away from fossil fuels.
“We thought that good ideas would get people to act,” lamented J. Timmons Roberts, a researcher at Brown University and executive director of its Climate Social Science Network, in a briefing on the eve of the talks. His words capture the exasperation felt by many in the climate community, who have watched as scientific consensus and clear evidence of harm struggle to overcome political inertia and vested interests.
In the United States, this inertia is compounded by political dynamics that favor the fossil fuel industry. According to the New York Daily News, President Trump and his fellow Republicans have done everything in their power to promote fossil fuels and block the expansion of solar and wind energy. The party’s close ties to fossil fuel interests are underscored by millions of dollars in campaign contributions, raising questions about the extent to which money shapes national energy policy.
Yet, the economic argument for renewables has never been stronger. In most cases, solar and wind energy are now cheaper than fossil fuels, largely because their fuel costs are zero. Ever-improving battery storage technology means that energy can be supplied even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. When the health impacts of fossil fuel pollution and the mounting costs of climate-related disasters are factored in, the case for renewables becomes even more compelling.
China, meanwhile, is surging ahead in the global clean energy race. The country has taken a wide lead in the production of solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage, and electric vehicles — industries that promise not only environmental benefits but also job creation and economic prestige. The contrast with the United States, where policy is often shaped by the interests of established fossil fuel players, could not be more stark.
At the same time, the growing energy demands of new technologies present fresh challenges. AI centers, for instance, are drawing extreme levels of energy, prompting calls for these facilities to be powered by wind and solar rather than the public grid. Advocates argue that mandating renewable energy for such centers would lower public electric bills and reduce the strain on aging infrastructure. "The technology of wind, solar and tidal energy has come a long way and could certainly put a huge dent in our monthly utility bills," argued one commentator in the New York Daily News.
But as the world debates the best path forward, the forces of denial and delay remain formidable. The resurgence of climate denial is not just a matter of fringe conspiracy theories; it is a coordinated effort by powerful industries and their allies to shape public opinion and policy. Social media has become a battleground in this information war, with disinformation campaigns muddying the waters and sowing doubt about the need for urgent action.
The consequences of inaction are increasingly visible. Each year brings new records for disaster costs, new highs in greenhouse gas concentrations, and new extremes in weather. The science is clear, and the solutions — from renewables to energy efficiency — are within reach. Yet, the political will to act remains elusive, hampered by the influence of money, misinformation, and entrenched interests.
As the COP30 summit fades into memory, the world is left with a sobering question: will the next decade be defined by bold action and innovation, or by further delay and denial? The answer will determine not just the fate of international agreements, but the future of the planet itself.
