Financial barriers hinder youth from attending UN climate summit in Brazil
- With COP30 approaching fast, many delegates and activists struggle to find affordable housing in Belem, Brazil.
- Only about 36% of the participating countries have confirmed their attendance and accommodations, raising concerns.
- The ongoing housing challenges highlight the inequities faced by potential attendees and the necessity for accessible options.
With the United Nations climate change conference fast approaching, many prospective participants are struggling to secure affordable housing in Belem, Brazil. As of now, only 36% of the 196 participating countries have confirmed their attendance and finalized accommodations, raising concerns about the attendance figures and overall effectiveness of the conference. Pooja Tilvawala, based in London, has invested over $46,000 of her savings to assist young people from various countries in finding lodging and has created a housing portal specifically targeting this demographic. The Brazilian government has emphasized the importance of hosting the conference in Belem to highlight the climate challenges faced by developing nations, using this event to bring attention to the issues that affect them. However, after the initial excitement of being selected as a host city, local residents and businesses are now facing the reality of inflated accommodation prices, with many individuals expecting to charge rates significantly higher than the norm. Factors influencing these increasing costs include the global expectations surrounding the United Nations conferences and the natural desire to capitalize on the influx of international delegates. As housing prices range from $200 to $600 per night for the