A groundbreaking photography exhibition documenting the experiences of elderly people living in climate-affected regions around the world will be displayed during COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The Climate Elders project, a collaboration between 1in6by2030 and HelpAge International, aims to highlight the disproportionate impact of climate change on older populations through powerful portraits and personal testimonies.
The exhibition features work from an international network of photographers who have documented the stories of elderly individuals across more than 21 countries. Each photograph is accompanied by audio interviews and personal messages from the featured elders directed specifically to world leaders. These intimate portraits reveal individual narratives that express a universal sentiment about the urgent need for climate action.
The Climate Elders exhibition will be hosted at the Fidanza Gallery, which is part of the Museum of Sacred Art of the Saint Alexander Church. Located in the historic center of Belém at Praça Frei Caetano Brandão, s/n Cidade Velha, Belém, Pará, Brazil, the venue provides a fitting backdrop for this important display during the global climate conference.
Organizers believe the exhibition will offer a timely opportunity to raise worldwide awareness about climate change and its often-overlooked impact on the world's growing elderly population. The display will run through December 31, after which the entire exhibition will be donated to the museum. If the Museum accepts this generous donation, the exhibition will become a permanent part of Belém's history and serve as a lasting reminder of the city's connection to ongoing climate change discussions.
The Climate Elders project is part of the larger 1in6by2030 initiative, a global collaborative effort that brings together photographers from around the world to put a human face on one of the most significant demographic statistics of our time. By 2030, one in six people worldwide will be over the age of 60, marking a historic moment filled with both challenges and tremendous potential as individuals, societies, and governments confront one of the most fundamental population shifts in human history.
In the years leading up to 2030, photographers participating in the 1in6by2030 project will continue to show what it looks like to live during this transformative time. The initiative will feature a series of photo essays that bring these critical demographic and social issues to life through stories from communities around the globe, helping to ensure that the voices and experiences of older adults are not forgotten in discussions about our collective future.
