On the Road to Balance
I recently traveled to Brazil to take part in a number of events and meetings related to the project I am working on: the Global Ethical Stocktake (GES). One thing I noticed immediately is that the GES goes by a different name there. They call it the “Balanço Global Ético,” and sometimes just say “o balanço” or “the balance.”
This brought to mind the image of a balance sheet with one side showing costs and the other benefits. When we do that with the system that is driving climate change, it is clarifying indeed. The costs—ecosystem loss, polluted air and water, displaced communities, extinction of species, mass suffering and death from extreme heat and stronger storms—are mounting fast, while the benefits are not only dwindling, but also reaped by the few at the expense of the many. On the other hand, the costs of system change are small compared to the benefits of clean air, clean water and a livable planet for all, well into the future. This Brazilian Portuguese name also evoked the notion of a sense of balance in our lives, our cultures and our communities. In order for the people of the world to have that, those in power must act quickly and decisively to restore balance with nature.
The Faith and Climate gathering at the Memorial for Indigenous Peoples in Brasília was powerful for many reasons. The Memorial is grounded in honoring the richness of the Indigenous cultures of the region as well as acknowledging the harms they have endured. Like so much of Brasília, which became the capital in 1960, the legendary Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer designed it. Inspired by the Yanomami communal shelters called malocas, it has lots of curves. The widespread preference for rounded structures in Indigenous cultures worldwide encodes an ethic of harmony with nature—a stark contrast to the industrial West. “I am not attracted to straight angles or to the straight line, hard and inflexible, created by man.” Niemeyer noted in his memoir, The Curves of Time, “I am attracted to free-flowing, sensual curves. The curves that I find in the mountains of my country, in the sinuousness of its rivers, in the waves of the ocean, and on the body of the beloved woman. Curves make up the entire Universe, the curved Universe of Einstein.” (62)
We were seated in a circle in a space that was open to the sky, with a floor of sand. It began with a ritual that involved everyone moving around the circle before taking a seat again. People then shared from a microphone on one end of the circle, in a calm rhythm of short talks that included authentic voices from different faiths, as well as thoughts about the upcoming climate conference. COP30 CEO Ana Toni expressed that we shouldn’t think about the 2025 climate meetings as something still in the future—because in many ways they are already underway, including our gathering at the Memorial for Indigenous Peoples.
For my part, I wanted to relay my gratitude and excitement about Brazil’s leadership of the COP and also my way of understanding the oneness of life that can call us to take better care of each other and the planet we share. Here is part of what I said:
This climate crisis is about more than science, data and technology, as important as they are. It is about who we are as human beings. How can we act collectively as a species to make sure we do not destroy our own habitat, our own life support system? This is not an easy question. At this moment, we must draw from the deepest wells of our faith and wisdom traditions to guide us. I come here with great humility. The pollution on one side of the Earth ends up affecting the weather on the other side of the Earth. Deforestation is the same way. Over-consumption, waste and greed among one part of the world has been damaging and hurtful to good and honorable people elsewhere. Spiritually, it is also damaging to the people who perpetrate it. It is not dignified to go on this way. We all belong here and we can only take care of ourselves if we take care of each other. Where I live, we benefit from a climate that has been nourished by the great forests of the world, including in this region. Thank you for protecting and caring for this. We must also do our part . . . .
Minister Marina Silva spoke beautifully about her vision for the climate conference and offered the analogy of building a dwelling with different sized stones. To paraphrase: The different nations are like different stones—some big, some small, some round, some rectangular. In order to bind together such a diverse array of stones into one structure, the most important thing is the quality of the mortar between them. As she explained, this can be understood as love.
Earlier that day, I had the opportunity to meet with Minister Marina (as some call her) in her office. She showed me a replica of the home that she grew up in in the Amazon, which she keeps behind her desk, and which relays the way in which she has clearly been authentically grounded in a culture that lives in harmony with the forest. We also discussed plans for the North American regional dialogue in New York City, to be held September 19 in New York City, the last of six regional dialogues. Earlier that day I was also able to speak with Ana Toni in her office as well. It is inspiring to witness the ways that these dynamic women are meeting this moment—with all its peril and opportunity— with their respective energies and gifts.
While in Brazil I had several other fascinating moments, and the wonderful overall experience of being cared for by my dear friends, Guillermo and Anna Sirkis (son and daughter of the late Alfredo Sirkis who I wrote about in these pages after my first trip to Brazil years ago). Along with another friend, Sergio Xavier, a COP30 envoy, his partner Luciana, we were able to meet with others involved in the COP planning process. I especially appreciated the chance to peer into the kaleidoscope of interrelated issues, like the central role of forests, through many rich side conversations.
I also had an interesting meeting at the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil where we discussed some of the pressing topics. This brand new ministry, begun under President Lula, is led by Sonia Guajajara. We liaised with Minister Guajajara’s staff as she was busy attending to Yanomami leaders on strategies to stop the violent devastation of their lands by illegal miners.
The second half of my trip was in Rio de Janeiro, where I participated in a Climate Reality Project training. I am grateful to my father, Al Gore, and the whole staff of the Climate Reality Project for the phenomenal work they do. I met fascinating and inspiring people there, including the Presidency Youth Climate Champion of the COP30 Presidency, Marcele Olivieira. 
I also learned from the images and words (and dance and song and other arts) shared from the stage. Many referenced their personal experiences within the changing climate: “The land does not lie,” said Célia Xakriabá, co-founder of Mulheres Indígenas Guerriras da Ancestralidade (ANMIGA).
The highlight was the opportunity to center Minister Silva. People there reacted to her as if to a rock star, and listening to her tell her story of defending the Amazon and dreaming of a better future for all, one could understand why. She spoke powerfully about creating a turning point at COP30 by drawing from the best of the human spirit.
Through the emerging work of the Global Ethical Stocktake that Marina SIlva is leading, we see how that spirit can be effectively invoked by not only including every one of the voices who have been left out, but also by inviting expressions through culture. I can feel the manifestation of the powerful energy in the Indigenous concept that this year’s COP leadership has lifted up: mutirão. COP30 President André Corréa do Lago (who I was also honored to have the chance to greet in Rio) explained in his first letter:
The Brazilian culture inherited from Brazilian native indigenous peoples the concept of “mutirão” (“Motirõ” in Tupi-Guarani language). It refers to a community coming together to work on a shared task, whether harvesting, building, or supporting one another. By sharing this invaluable ancestral wisdom and social technology, the incoming COP30 presidency invites the international community to join Brazil in a global “mutirão” against climate change, a global effort of cooperation among peoples for the progress of humanity.
This sense of mutirão pervaded my trip, emerging as a guiding ethos for the work ahead. Brazil has what is takes to help humanity have an authentic break through this year. And this is encouraging indeed—because the world cannot afford more delay; at COP30, we must restore balance, and prevail.
