Caribbean urges action at COP30 after Hurricane MelissaCEFR A2
11 Nov 2025
Adapted from Janine Mendes-Franco, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by George Fennelly, Unsplash
COP30 will take place in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21. The meeting will continue global talks on the climate crisis. Caribbean countries, including many small island developing states, want stronger action on climate justice and Loss and Damage.
COP meetings began after the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and led to the 2015 Paris Agreement and the goal to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, known as “1.5 to stay alive”. Many SIDS suffer large impacts while they emit little greenhouse gas.
Hurricane Melissa struck several islands. AccuWeather estimates USD 48 to 52 billion in damage. Jamaica issued a USD 150 million catastrophe bond, but preliminary damage there is about USD 6-7 billion. Some large emitters are not attending COP30.
Difficult words
- conference — A large meeting for discussion on a topic.
- climate — The usual weather in a place over time.climate justice, climate impacts
- disaster — A sudden event causing great damage or suffering.disasters
- damages — Harm done to something, causing loss.damage
- help — To assist someone or something.
- emitters — Things that release gases or substances.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why is climate justice important for the Caribbean?
- What could be done to help regions like Jamaica after disasters?
- How do big greenhouse gas emitters impact climate talks?
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