Its flood- and erosion-resistant walls, insulated roofing, solar-powered energy systems, and satellite internet make it a rare safe haven. A 150-meter well ensures clean water \u2013 a luxury in many parts of the region.<\/p>\n
During our visit, Kamal Kishore, head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR<\/a>), called the school \u201ca guiding light,\u201d adding: \u201cI would like to see at least 100,000 schools like this one across the globe.\u201d<\/p>\n Droughts, erosion and rising seas<\/p>\n Barcarena\u2019s mayor, Renato Ogawa, explained that climate impacts here are subtle, but disruptive:<\/p>\n \u201cThe main event is the drought of rivers and streams. One week, students manage to arrive by boat; the next, because of tidal variations, they cannot reach school on time and must walk along slopes and freshwater beaches that, due to sea-level rise, have started to flood, causing erosion.\u201d<\/p>\n Containment walls now line the riverbanks, but Mr. Ogawa warned: \u201cIf nothing is done, over the years we will need to raise and expand that wall.\u201d<\/p>\n Sea-level rise is also altering fish movements, threatening local diets as river water grows saltier.<\/p>\n These challenges have pushed Barcarena to the forefront of climate adaptation, earning it global recognition.<\/p>\n UN News\/Felipe de Carvalho<\/p>\n For the past three years, the Maria Naura Gouv\u00eaa Municipal School, in Par\u00e1, Brazil, has been putting into practice one of the themes debated at the COP30: adapting to a world full of dangerous climate events.<\/p>\n Local leadership on the global stage<\/p>\n In 2023, Barcarena became the world\u2019s 25th Resilience Hub<\/a> \u2013 and the first in the Amazon. These UNDRR-identified hubs are cities recognized for their strong track record in disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and they commit to mentoring other municipalities by sharing practical solutions and expertise.<\/p>\n UN-Habitat<\/a> Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach stressed why COP30 must amplify voices like Mr. Ogawa\u2019s: \u201cWe must protect people to protect the planet. And another key point is the importance of local governments, local action and local leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n Recognition, she added, is not enough: \u201cIt must be accompanied by solid and robust mechanisms for implementation.\u201d<\/p>\n UN News\/Felipe de Carvalho<\/p>\n \u2018An exception in the Amazon\u2019<\/p>\n Brazil\u2019s Minister of Cities, Jader Filho, praised Barcarena\u2019s progress but noted: \u201cThe school is an exception and does not reflect the educational reality of the wider Amazon. But it shows what is possible when financing and political will align.\u201d<\/p>\n Students showcased projects turning cooking oil into soap, creating natural dyes from vegetables, and planting trees to combat heat.<\/p>\n Lyndisse Wandra Santos summed up their spirit: \u201cEach tree planted is a gesture of love and hope; to adapt is to keep moving forward despite difficulties.\u201d<\/p>\n Kamal Kishore said he was inspired by their vision: \u201cBrazil is a success story,\u201d he noted, citing more than 2,000 cities worldwide in the Making Cities Resilient campaign, many of them Brazilian.<\/p>\n COP30\u2019s legacy in Barcarena<\/p>\n Mayor Ogawa revealed that COP30 has already accelerated investments: \u201cBy the end of the year, we will achieve 90 per cent sewage treatment coverage and potable water for 95 per cent of the municipality. These goals would otherwise take 10 to 15 years.\u201d<\/p>\n Next on his agenda: transitioning public transport boats to clean energy.<\/p>\n![\"For](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image1170x530cropped.jpg\" "\\"For")
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