At the beginning of November, a great controversy erupted, mainly on social networks, as a result of statements made by Anabela Lemos, an environmental activist, who argued that Mozambique should not proceed with its natural gas exploration project. But who supports Lemos’ position, at a time when most social sectors in Mozambique, including civil society, see gas as a great opportunity to develop the country and fight poverty? In an interview conducted by Boaventura Monjane with Lemos (founder of Justiça Ambiental, JA, and one of the loudest voices in the environmental movement in Mozambique), she responds to the question, arguing that insisting on extractivist mega-projects will always contribute to serious violations of human rights, cause irreversible damage to the environment, and deepen the climate crisis. She also claims that Mozambique’s position at COP26 was largely inadequate. The interview first appeared in Jornal Savana, a Mozambican publication.