Meanwhile, COP 30 promised to be the most inclusive climate conference in history. However, before even officially starting, the event already faces devastating criticism. After all, how can a meeting about sustainability justify prices that completely exclude the local population?

In this way, journalist Márcio Gomes, CNN Brazil anchor, exposed a shocking reality. Consequently, his complaints on social media revealed values bordering on the absurd and raise serious questions about whom this event really serves.

$18 For Two Pastries and One Soda: The Shocking Report

First of all, during COP 30 coverage in Belém, Márcio Gomes shared an experience that perfectly symbolizes the problem. In fact, the journalist spent R$ 99 (approximately $18) on just three items: two quiches and one soda.

According to the video report published on Instagram, the communicator initially bought a spinach quiche and a zero-calorie soda. Surprisingly, just these two items cost R$ 70 ($13). Additionally, realizing it would be insufficient for the entire workday, he bought another shrimp and cheese quiche for R$ 29 ($5.30).

The Unconvincing Justification

Curiously, when he questioned the prices, the seller justified the value saying: “but the cheese is from Marajó”. However, this explanation doesn’t minimize the absurdity of the situation. After all, even being a quality regional product, the charged value simply doesn’t match Brazilian reality.

Therefore, Gomes summarized the situation directly: “These prices are exorbitant here at COP”. Consequently, his complaint went viral and opened a necessary debate about costs practiced at the event.

The Complete List of Absurdity: Shocking Prices

Besides expensive pastries, investigations revealed a price table completely disconnected from reality. In this sense, check out the values practiced inside the COP 30 complex:

• First of all, mineral water (350ml): R$ 25 ($4.60) – almost ten times the supermarket price
• Moreover, natural juices: R$ 30 ($5.50) – more expensive than in luxury restaurants
• Additionally, complete meals: up to R$ 70 ($13) – equivalent to many workers’ daily wage
• Consequently, natural sandwiches: R$ 35 ($6.40) – price of executive lunch at shopping malls
• Surprisingly, brigadeiro (chocolate truffle): R$ 20 ($3.70) – value that buys a kilo of meat in many regions
• Finally, brownie: R$ 30 ($5.50) – price of complete meal at popular restaurant

In this way, the numbers reveal a disturbing reality. After all, how can an event that should discuss sustainability practice prices that only sustain exorbitant profit?

COP 30: Whom Does This Event Really Serve?

Certainly, the central question is obvious: who can afford these values? In fact, only a privileged elite has access to basic food inside the event. Therefore, while world leaders discuss climate change, workers and journalists face extortion just to eat.

The Glaring Contradiction

Ironically, COP 30 should represent a global commitment to the planet’s future. However, practiced prices reveal exactly the opposite. In this way, the event reproduces the same inequalities that worsen the climate crisis.

Additionally, Belém residents face double exclusion. First, they suffer from generalized price increases in the city during the event. Moreover, they can’t access the event itself because of prohibitive costs.

Consequently, an uncomfortable question arises: how can one defend climate justice while practicing economic injustice?

Comparison with Other Events: COP 30 Breaks Abuse Record

Although large events usually have high prices, COP 30 exceeded all reasonable limits. In this sense, it’s worth comparing with other Brazilian events:

Rock in Rio

First of all, at the Rio music festival, a water bottle costs on average R$ 12 ($2.20). Additionally, sandwiches cost between R$ 25 and R$ 30 ($4.60-$5.50). Therefore, despite being criticized for high prices, Rock in Rio practices more affordable values than COP 30.

Salvador Carnival

Moreover, during Bahia’s Carnival, considered one of the country’s most expensive, water costs about R$ 15 ($2.75) in the circuits. Additionally, quick meals are around R$ 40 ($7.35). Consequently, even Carnival proves more accessible than a sustainability event.

2014 World Cup

Curiously, during the World Cup in Brazil, prices inside stadiums also generated controversy. However, even in that context, a water bottle cost R$ 8 ($1.50). Therefore, COP 30 charges three times more than the World Cup for water.

In this way, the numbers are clear: COP 30 established a new standard of price abuse at public events in Brazil.

Merchants’ Defense: Arguments That Don’t Convince

Naturally, merchants and organizers try to justify the prices. In this sense, they allege high operational costs, complex logistics, and superior quality products.

The “Marajó Cheese” Fallacy

First of all, the argument about premium regional products doesn’t sustain abusive prices. After all, valuing local cuisine doesn’t mean extorting captive consumers. Moreover, many products sold at the event aren’t even exclusively regional.

Inflated Operational Costs

Additionally, organizers allege high assembly and operation costs. However, much of the infrastructure received massive public investment. Therefore, merchants already benefit from indirect government subsidies.

Consequently, using “operational costs” to justify R$ 25 water simply doesn’t hold. After all, excessive profit is evident when comparing practiced values with any other context.

Social Media Reaction: Divided and Revealing

Curiously, Márcio Gomes’ complaint generated polarized reactions. While many supported the criticism, others accused the journalist of devaluing Brazil’s North region.

Criticism of the Journalist

First of all, internet users like Paulo Hermes attacked: “A journalist of this stature, reducing climate debate to pastry price”. Additionally, Adriel Brito provoked by offering to “make a collection” for the journalist to eat without complaining.

Moreover, Adrya Freitas accused: “Anything connected to Brazil’s North seems unacceptable to the rest of Brazil”.

Debate Distortion

However, these criticisms completely distort the central issue. After all, Márcio Gomes didn’t attack the North region or its cuisine. On the contrary, he denounced abusive prices that mainly harm Pará residents themselves.

Additionally, transforming a legitimate criticism about economic exploitation into a regionalist issue is dishonest. Therefore, those who really disrespect the North are those who profit exorbitantly at the expense of a public event.

Elitism Disguised as Sustainability

Finally, we need to recognize the uncomfortable truth: COP 30 became an elitist event disguised as environmental concern. In this way, it reproduces exactly the exclusion structures that should be combated.

Who Really Participates?

First of all, politicians and businesspeople arrive in private jets that burn tons of fuel. Moreover, they stay in luxury diesel yachts or hotels charging fortunes. Additionally, they eat products at stratospheric prices that only they can pay.

Meanwhile, the local population watches from afar. Consequently, the Amazonian people themselves who should lead the debate get excluded by insurmountable economic barriers.

Accommodation: The Other Face of Abuse

Besides food, accommodation costs complete the exclusion scenario. According to reports, properties for rent during COP 30 reached surreal values.

First of all, simple houses and apartments are being rented for up to R$ 2 million ($367,000) for the event period. Moreover, conventional hotels multiplied their daily rates by five or ten times. Additionally, even hostels and basic inns charge five-star hotel values.

Consequently, only wealthy organizations and governments with large budgets can participate in person. Therefore, debate about the planet’s future becomes a privilege of few.

The Dangerous Precedent For Future Events

Besides everything, COP 30 establishes an extremely dangerous precedent. After all, if sustainability events practice exclusionary prices, what message does this send?

First of all, it legitimizes economic exploitation in public interest contexts. Moreover, it normalizes popular class exclusion from debates directly affecting their lives. Additionally, it transforms noble causes into profitable businesses for few.

Consequently, future events risk following the same model. In this way, popular participation increasingly becomes a fantasy, while elites alone decide the collective future.

Possible Solutions: How to Avoid This Catastrophe

However, alternatives exist and could have been implemented. In this sense, several mechanisms could guarantee fair prices:

Mandatory Price Control

First of all, authorities could impose maximum price ceilings inside the event complex. After all, dealing with international public interest, price control would be perfectly justifiable.

Real Competition

Moreover, allowing multiple suppliers competing freely would naturally reduce values. Additionally, including local cooperatives and small producers would democratize profits.

Direct Subsidies

Additionally, considering billions spent on infrastructure, subsidizing basic food would be perfectly viable. Therefore, water, simple snacks, and meals could have controlled prices.

Total Transparency

Finally, disclosing contracts, profit margins, and real costs would bring necessary public pressure. Consequently, merchants would think twice before practicing abusive values.

Bitter Lessons From an Event That Should Inspire

Ultimately, COP 30 teaches important lessons, but not those its organizers would like. First of all, it reveals how progressive discourses can mask regressive practices. Moreover, it demonstrates that sustainability without social justice is hypocrisy.

Additionally, it exposes the abysmal distance between political elite and popular reality. Consequently, while Lula stays in a $1,000-per-day yacht, journalists pay $18 for basic snacks, and workers simply can’t participate.

Finally, the question remains: how can we take seriously a climate event that treats climate as business and sustainability as luxury product?

Final Reflection: The Normalized Absurdity

Certainly, the most concerning aspect isn’t just the absurd prices. Actually, it’s how they try to normalize and even justify these practices. In this way, legitimate critics get attacked, while exploiters get defended.

First of all, when a chocolate truffle costs $3.70, we’re not talking about regional valorization. On the contrary, we’re talking about blatant exploitation. Moreover, when water costs $4.60, it’s not about operational costs – it’s pure greed.

Additionally, when the local population gets excluded from the very event about the Amazon, it’s not an accident – it’s a project. Therefore, COP 30 reveals uncomfortable truths about real priorities of governments and international organizations.

Finally, while abusive prices expel ordinary people, world leaders arrive in private jets to discuss “sustainability”. Ironically, this contradiction perfectly summarizes the current state of global climate debate.

And you, what do you think about these absurd prices? Do you consider it fair to pay $18 for two pastries at a sustainability event? Do you believe COP 30 really represents Brazilian population interests? How do you assess economic exclusion at public interest events? Share your opinion in the comments – after all, this debate needs to include who really pays these bills: you, the Brazilian taxpayer.