Interview
How has your experience been during these days at COP29? If you could highlight one thing that stood out to you, what would it be?
Pastor Albrecht: This is my first time attending a COP in person. Yesterday, I joined a panel on loss and damage, which resonated deeply with me. It reminded me of situations back home in Argentina and Brazil, where our losses go beyond economics. How do you put a price on the orange tree your grandfather planted or the small community church destroyed where you were baptized? These stories connect deeply to climate justice because they speak about losses that cannot be quantified economically.
This year, we had the Biodiversity COP in Colombia; next year, we’ll have COP30 in Brazil. How do you see the political context in Latin America as we prepare for COP30?
Pastor Albrecht: It’s exciting that COP30 will be in Brazil. There is great excitement and hope because such events can strengthen local governments and civil society. However, Latin America’s political landscape is unpredictable. Rights that people fought hard to gain can suddenly be overturned by someone who denies climate change or dismisses science. While celebrating this milestone, we must remain vigilant to protect what has been achieved.
Looking at the work of churches in Latin America, how connected are local churches with Indigenous communities?
Pastor Albrecht: Churches across the region, including Brazil and Argentina, collaborate closely with Indigenous peoples. I visited an Indigenous community in Misiones, northern Argentina, a few months ago. Walking through the forest, a young guide amazed me with his deep knowledge of plants and their uses. Indigenous wisdom is invaluable, and we have much to learn from their sustainable ways of living. Ignoring their voices would mean we are the ones who ultimately lose.
As a Christian, how do you continue to have hope and work toward the transformation you desire?
Pastor Albrecht: I am someone whose faith is deeply rooted in diakonal action. For me, it’s hard to separate diakoniafrom faith. That’s where my hope lies. It’s not just about liturgy; it’s about living as a Christian. I sincerely believe in small stories because they are the stories that make our communities great.
How would you address young people who feel anxious about the world's challenges today?
Pastor Albrecht: Young people—and not just young people but also adults and the elderly—have to make choices. There are options out there that don’t seek a better world. What kind of unity do I want with someone whose aim is destruction? So, we must align ourselves with following Jesus. That’s the only path to finding hope.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Pastor Albrecht: People talk about the catastrophic future we might face if warming surpasses 1.5 degrees Celsius. But I believe in the power of small actions and messages. Imagine a world where we stop investing in wars and channel those resources into climate solutions. My hope is for a better future for my children and grandchildren. But we must keep moving forward, not looking back, walking with Jesus.
