Climate Leaders Toast Action, Hope, and Intergenerational Partnership at TIME100 Impact Dinner
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Despite growing concerns over missed global climate targets, a gathering of influential leaders in Rio de Janeiro on November 4th underscored a renewed commitment to actionable change. The TIME100 Impact Dinner, held in conjunction with the launch of the third-annual TIME100 Climate list, brought together business leaders, politicians, and advocates to recognise innovation and drive momentum ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference. The event served as a powerful reminder that, even amidst setbacks, progress is being made – and that a multifaceted approach is essential.
As the world grapples with the reality of falling short of the 2025 Paris Agreement goals, leaders across sectors are intensifying efforts to bridge the gap left by insufficient governmental action. A series of toasts delivered during the dinner highlighted the urgency of the situation, while also offering glimpses of optimism and outlining pathways toward a more enduring future.
A Call for Equitable Climate Finance
The evening’s first toast came from Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, President of Suriname, who emphasized the critical need for financial equity in addressing the climate crisis. Representing a nation deeply vulnerable to the effects of a warming planet, Geerlings-Simons noted that Suriname, despite its vast rainforests and role as a carbon sink – absorbing more carbon dioxide than it releases – is “among the nations most vulnerable to climate change,” with coastal areas already experiencing rising sea levels.
Since assuming office in July, President Geerlings-Simons has prioritized the protection of Indigenous lands, economic diversification, and responsible forest management, recognizing the vital role forests play in sustaining global ecosystems. She called for “timely, fair, and equitable climate finance,” urging collective action to mitigate the impacts that “threaten us all.”
Climate Action as a Rational Economic Choice
Peter Fernandez, co-founder of carbon-removal company Mombak in the Brazilian Amazon, offered a compelling economic argument for climate action. Acknowledging the daunting scale of the challenge – and the looming threat of reaching the Amazon “tipping point” where the biome can no longer naturally regenerate – Fernandez maintained that addressing climate change is ultimately “rational” for society.
“It is true that it’s going to cost us trillions of dollars to prevent the world from heating up out of control,” Fernandez stated. “But allowing the world to heat up out of control will cost us tens of trillions of dollars in damages.” He also highlighted the power of localized solutions, noting that “when you give local communities an option to deforesting the Amazon, they take it.” Fernandez concluded by emphasizing the importance of hope, calling it “the energy to solve problems.” He urged attendees to focus on tangible actions,such as “funding locally led solutions; strengthening frontline health systems; and ensuring women and girls are centered in every climate decision.” She framed hope as “a discipline” and “a strategy” for creating a better world.
Local Leadership: The Front Lines of Climate Action
The final toast of the evening was delivered by Eduardo Paes, the Mayor of rio de Janeiro, who honored the vital role of local leaders in translating global commitments into concrete action. Paes showcased Rio de Janeiro’s ambitious climate initiatives, including the creation of new parks, the transition to clean energy in municipal buildings, and the launch of Brazil’s first Extreme Heat Response Protocol. He announced a goal to replace the city’s entire bus fleet with low- and zero-emission vehicles within the next year.
“Cities are where life happens, and where the battle against the climate crisis will be won or lost,” Paes declared, raising a glass to those “leading the fight on the ground, often without the resources or the recognition they deserve.”
The TIME100 Impact Dinner, presented by Rolex, served as a powerful testament to the collective determination to address the climate crisis, highlighting the need for equitable solutions, innovative technologies, intergenerational collaboration, and, above all, unwavering hope.
