Amazon School Emerges as Model of Climate Resilience

With flood- and erosion-resistant walls and solar-powered energy systems, Maria Naura Gouvêa Municipal School in Barcarena, Pará, Brazil, is a model of community-level climate adaptation.

The boat ride from Belém to Barcarena winds through shimmering waterways and emerald forest, where the Amazon meets the Atlantic in a sweep of natural beauty. But beneath the postcard-perfect scene, climate change is quietly reshaping daily life.

On a sandy riverbank, a modest school topped with solar panels tells a different story — one of resilience, innovation and hope for the next generation.

A school built for the future

For the past three years, the Maria Naura Gouvêa Municipal School has embodied one of COP30’s central themes: adaptation.

Its flood- and erosion-resistant walls, insulated roofing, solar power system and satellite internet have turned it into a rare safe haven. A 150-metre well ensures clean water — a luxury in many parts of the region.

During a recent visit, Kamal Kishore, head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), praised the school as “a guiding light,” adding: “I would like to see at least 100,000 schools like this one across the globe.”

Drought, erosion and rising seas

Barcarena’s mayor, Renato Ogawa, explained that climate impacts here are subtle but disruptive.

“The 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.”

Containment walls now line the riverbanks, but Mr Ogawa warned: “If nothing is done, over the years we will need to raise and expand that wall.”

Rising seas are also altering fish patterns, threatening local diets as river water becomes increasingly salty. These challenges have pushed Barcarena to the forefront of climate adaptation, earning it international recognition.

Local leadership on the global stage

In 2023, Barcarena became the world’s 25th Resilience Hub — and the first in the Amazon. These UNDRR-recognised hubs are cities honoured for their leadership in disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and they commit to sharing practical solutions with other municipalities.

UN-Habitat Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach stressed why COP30 must elevate voices like Mr Ogawa’s: “We must protect people to protect the planet. And another key point is the importance of local governments, local action and local leadership.”

But she cautioned that recognition alone is not enough: “It must be accompanied by solid and robust mechanisms for implementation.”

‘An exception in the Amazon’

Brazil’s Minister of Cities, Jader Filho, praised Barcarena’s progress but noted: “The 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.”

Students showcased projects that turn cooking oil into soap, make natural dyes from vegetables and plant trees to reduce heat. One student, Lyndisse Wandra Santos, captured their spirit: “Each tree planted is a gesture of love and hope; to adapt is to keep moving forward despite difficulties.”

Kamal Kishore said he was inspired by their vision, calling Brazil “a success story,” noting that more than 2,000 cities worldwide — many in Brazil — have joined the Making Cities Resilient campaign.

COP30’s legacy in Barcarena

Mayor Ogawa revealed that COP30 has already accelerated key investments. “By 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.”

Next on his agenda is transitioning public transport boats to clean energy.

UN-Habitat chief Ms Rossbach warned that other regions urgently need similar investments, especially in housing, as millions face worsening climate risks.

From ‘Forest COP’ to ‘Cities COP’

She pointed to Rio’s Maré favela, where temperatures can rise up to 6°C above the city average, based on community-collected data. Her hope is that “this Forest COP,” held in Belém near the Amazon rainforest, will also strengthen the urban agenda and prioritise protection for the most vulnerable.

As COP30 unfolds, Barcarena’s story offers a powerful message: climate resilience begins locally. From solar-powered classrooms to student-driven projects, this Amazon municipality shows that adaptation is not just possible — it is already under way. And in a world of rising seas and shifting tides, these lessons matter more than ever.