COP30 – From the Amazon to the Margins: Justice. Compassion. Love.
As the world prepares to gather in Belém, Brazil, for COP30, ADRA calls upon our global church family to join us in prayer, reflection, and action for creation, for justice, and for those most affected by the degeneration of the creation that has been gifted to us as stewards.
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) works in more than 120 countries, supporting over 30 million people each year through emergency relief, health, education, and livelihoods programs. We see daily how the changing climate deepens hunger, poverty, and displacement—and how courage, faith, and resilience rise even in the hardest circumstances.
The world is changing fast, and biodiversity loss, environmental degradation and immense changes in weather are no longer distant threats. They are here, shaping the lives of farmers who can no longer predict their harvests, families who lose their homes to floods, and children whose futures are clouded by hunger and uncertainty. But amidst these challenges, we also see faith at work—communities standing together, churches opening their doors as shelters, and people of conscience choosing hope over despair.
At COP30, ADRA represents this spirit of faith in action.
Our Call: Fund. Protect. Partner.
Fund the Frontlines
Communities on the frontlines of climate change are not waiting for others to act—they are already adapting, innovating, and caring for creation. But they cannot do it alone.
We call on governments and institutions to provide direct, accessible, and fair climate finance—resources that reach local actors, faith-based organizations, and NGOs working hand in hand with communities.
Faith in action means investing where it matters most: where lives are rebuilt and futures are shaped.
Protect Food Security
Food and nutrition security is a moral and spiritual concern.
Extreme weather and environmental degradation are threatening the right to adequate food and the livelihoods of millions.
ADRA continues to support sustainable agriculture, regenerative land use, and climate-resilient livelihoods that preserve both people and the planet.
As followers of Christ, we are called to nurture the earth and ensure that every person has enough to eat.
Faith in Action: Rooted in Justice, Compassion, and Love
Our work is guided by the conviction that climate action is not only about emissions and finance—it is about people, dignity, and the shared future of our world.
For ADRA, this responsibility is grounded in our guiding values:
- Justice calls us to ensure that those least responsible for the climate crisis do not bear its greatest burdens. We stand with marginalized communities and advocate for fairness in global decisions.
- Compassion compels us to listen, to accompany, and to serve, recognizing Christ in those who suffer.
- Love moves us to act with courage and hope—to heal, restore, and protect creation, our common home.
These values are not abstract ideals; they are the heartbeat of our mission. They shape how we design projects, how we respond to crises, and how we advocate for a world where all can thrive.
A Just and Faithful Transition
As nations move toward cleaner energy and regenerative systems, we urge them to do so in ways that are inclusive, fair, and human-centered. ADRA calls on global efforts to ensure a just transition—one that uplifts workers, protects vulnerable communities, and builds sustainable economies that serve people over profit. This is not only an environmental imperative—it is a Christian one.
Hope in Motion
Despite the scale of the crisis, there is reason for hope.
As UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell recently said, “If we look past the noise, the facts show a world aligning with the Paris Agreement.”
Across our network, ADRA offices are already contributing to this transformation—reducing emissions, building resilience of local communities, and amplifying local leadership.
Every tree planted, every livelihood restored, every life protected is part of this global story of faith in action.
Together for Creation
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has always upheld stewardship, compassion, and justice as expressions of our faith.
As COP30 unfolds in the heart of the Amazon—a place where creation still sings its most powerful hymn—let us renew our commitment to care for the earth and for one another.
May our prayers inspire action.
May our faith move mountains.
May our love heal creation.
Justice. Compassion. Love.
These are not just words—they are our calling.