STATES GENERAL: IN ITALY, CLIMATE IN MOVEMENT
The States General of the climate action were held in Val d’Ossola from 1 to 3 September.
The convocation of “Ci sarà un bel clima” Collective was for all Italian subjects involved in various capacities and in different forms in themes and actions for climate and environment, to gather and “collect, strengthen and support the voices of Italian climate activism”. Among those who responded to the appeal, there was also Italian Climate Network, present with volunteers Paolo Della Ventura and Maria Letizia Filippi.
Many positive energies have guided and supported the climate three days, with the common thread of urgency and finalization of the climatic action. The climate has changed and, for this reason, there is no more time to lose: the temperature of the air, the surface and the seas, the concentration of greenhouse gases – in particular carbon dioxide, but not only – continue to increase, as well as to decrease the extent of summer sea ice, both in the Arctic and in Antarctica.
Stated goals of the States General were to define common guidelines for those who act in environmental activism, create an Italian network for climate action, to give strength of communication and negotiation to the actors involved and create a document to collect the activities carried out by Italian activism up to date, identifying the crucial points to implement the transition in Italy that will act as a political proposal in the public debate on the issue with one year as horizon.
During the days of debate and confrontation, has infact emerged well the need to find strength and legitimacy in the confrontation and dialogue with the political decision-maker, at both national and local levels, who is the one who, maneuvering the levers, is the only one that really can create, or at least transfer, in government and administrative policies and acts, the climate action.
In the assemblies – plenary and collective, or for small and large groups – participants spoke, comparing, the “hot” issues of climate activism: its opportunities and its challenges, the impact Movement wants to have collectively. From the need to accelerate in Italy on “policy making” and on a climate law, to social and climate justice, from communication and dissemination models to the relationship with natural resources and the protection of biodiversity, the role of the food system and labour in the energy transition; from the necessary energy decarbonisation to mobility.
On some of these issues, in particular, work will be carried out using the method of citizens’ assemblies. Training and work tables will characterize, in fact, the path through the next September.
The moment is historic, under every point of view and it is important not to back down and play each one their own. Climate is changing and it is calling us to act and we have a great responsibility today, all of us, not only to ourselves, but above all to the next generations and those who will come after the next ones.
Article by Paolo Della Ventura, Italian Climate Network Volunteer