On a remote riverbank in the Brazilian Amazon, the Maria Naura Gouvêa Municipal School stands as a model of climate resilience, equipped with flood- and erosion-resistant walls, insulated roofing, solar-powered energy, satellite internet, and a clean water supply from a 150-meter well. The school exemplifies COP30’s focus on adaptation, offering students a safe, sustainable learning environment despite the region’s challenging climate conditions.
Barcarena, the municipality where the school is located, faces subtle yet significant climate impacts, including fluctuating river levels, tidal flooding, erosion, and rising salinity affecting local fish stocks. These changes disrupt students’ access to education and threaten livelihoods, prompting local authorities to construct containment walls and explore long-term adaptation strategies.
In 2023, Barcarena became the first Resilience Hub in the Amazon and the 25th globally, recognized for its proactive approach to disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation. As a Resilience Hub, the city commits to sharing knowledge and practical solutions with other municipalities, highlighting the importance of local leadership and action in addressing climate challenges.
The school’s students engage in innovative projects to build sustainability skills, such as converting cooking oil into soap, producing natural dyes from vegetables, and planting trees to mitigate heat. These activities reflect the community’s hands-on approach to adaptation and environmental stewardship, reinforcing lessons in resilience and sustainability for future generations.
COP30 has accelerated climate-focused investments in Barcarena, including plans to achieve near-universal sewage treatment and potable water coverage within the year, along with transitioning public transport boats to clean energy. Officials emphasize that such initiatives, while exemplary, must be scaled across the wider Amazon and other vulnerable regions to address broader climate risks, particularly for those living in precarious conditions.
Barcarena’s story demonstrates that climate resilience is achievable at the local level through innovation, political will, and community engagement. From solar-powered classrooms to student-led sustainability projects, this municipality provides a practical blueprint for integrating adaptation strategies into education and urban planning, offering vital lessons for climate action globally.
