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| Italian Ambassador to Korea Federico Failla explains the photos of Monte Bianco at the "Italian Routes. Mountains, Mountaineering, Climate Change" photo exhibition at High Street Italia in southern Seoul, Oct. 6. Korea Times photo by Kwon Mee-yoo |
Italian ambassador discusses impacts of climate change
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Climate change is an important issue in Italy, just like everywhere else, and the Italian Embassy and the Italian Cultural Institute in Seoul are presenting a photo exhibition to raise awareness of the effects of climate change on Italy's mountain landscape and culture.
Titled "Italian Routes. Mountains, Mountaineering, Climate Change," the exhibition, curated by Italian photographer Fabiano Ventura, captures the scenery of Italy's mountain ranges, comparing current photos with historical images to show the extent to which glaciers have melted away.
"The exhibition here is visual proof of what has happened to our mountains, especially in the Alps," Federico Failla, ambassador of Italy to Korea, said during an interview with The Korea Times at High Street Italia in southern Seoul, where the exhibition is being held, Oct. 6.
"We have started to have sometimes extreme conditions of weather, for instance, huge rains like monsoons, which were not very common in Italy, and the winters have become very mild. Fog has almost totally disappeared because of the increase in temperature. You might think that that's not too bad, but it's a signal that the situation is very serious.
"This is a disturbing phenomenon that can be observed all over the world. Temperatures this summer reached record levels in the whole planet. Even the rainy season this year in Korea was different than usual."
Another impact of climate change can be seen in the flora and fauna.
"In the Mediterranean Sea, now there are species of fish and flora and fauna that have been never seen before. There is a kind of 'tropicalization' of the Mediterranean Sea, which is not positive. Biodiversity is important and the rising of the temperature of the sea is leading to the disappearance of some local flora and fauna species," Failla said.
Climate change might also affect the tourism sector, one of the most important industries of Italy.
"Preserving current climate conditions in Italy is important also for the tourism sector, as our country is one of the most beloved destinations for tourists from all over the world. This is an important aspect for Italy because this is the country with the highest number of the UNESCO sites."
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| The two photos show the diminishing of the Lex Blanche glacier in upper Val Veny in the Italian side of the Alps. The Italian Embassy in Seoul is presenting the "Italian Routes. Mountains, Mountaineering, Climate Change" photo exhibition at High Street Italia in southern Seoul to raise awareness about the threat and effects of climate change. Courtesy of Italian Embassy in Korea |
The exhibition also highlights Italy's commitment to tackling climate change, along with its co-presidency of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).
Italy partnered with the U.K., which will host the COP26 in Glasgow from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12. As part of the partnership, the Youth COP and the Pre-COP, a final official ministerial meeting ahead of the main COP, was held in Milan from Sept. 28 to Oct. 2.
Italy, together with members of European Union, is trying to stop climate change from progressing, he said.
"Reversing (climate change) is another story ― we don't know if it works. The damage has been done, but having in mind the Paris Agreement in 2015, we are adopting all the measures possible to contain this increase in temperature and climate change," the ambassador said.
Italy is committed to closing all its coal plants by 2025, in line with the E.U.'s Fit for 55 program, which requires a reduction of polluting emissions by 55 percent by 2030.
"In our short-term goal by 2025, we are trying to lower the use of fossil fuel and increase renewable sources of energy instead. It's a very ambitious goal and probably some measures will not be very popular, but they are necessary. We are confident that development in technology will lead to more widespread use of new renewable energy and the cost will be lower than it is now," Failla said.
In addition to the shift to renewable energy, the Italian government is also putting effort into reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
"One of the biggest issues is the way of producing energy. It is also a matter of energy saving, because if we can reduce consumption, it is already an achievement. The Italian government subsidizes making buildings more environment-friendly. Minimizing the production of CO2 is always something that is considered. Even at the ministry, we are given some targets to reduce the production of CO2," he said.
Italy recognizes the seriousness of climate change's consequences for the coming generations and is one of the first countries to mandate climate change education for all students.
"Environmental consciousness has grown very, very much in Italy. People are very concerned. The young generation is more concerned than everybody else because they will pay the price. They will see the real tragic effects of climate change if we don't stop it," he said.
"Education is a fundamental step, because governments can make rules, but citizens should feel the need to behave in such a way to increase sustainability."
The ambassador encouraged the young generation to step up in the fight against climate change, as they are directly involved in its impacts.
"Probably the full impact of climate change will happen after 2050. The young generation ― the so-called Generation Z and Millennials ― will live with the worsening condition of the planet. People who now are in their teens or 20s will inherit a planet that might be very different from what it is now. And they will pay the price for what they've not done," he said.
"It's in their interest. They should be the first in line to push the government seriously to make more measures that cannot be delayed anymore."
For this reason, Italy hosted the "Youth4Climate: Driving Ambition" event in September as part of the COP26 program. Some 400 young delegates around the world, including from Korea, gathered in Milan to propose ideas and concrete actions to address climate change.
"They met all the Italian authorities including the prime minister and they've been very vocal in defending measures that are not just an attempt to minimize or to reduce the impact of climate change, but really to change completely their way of thinking to establish a new way of dealing with climate change," the ambassador said.
The "Italian Routes. Mountains, Mountaineering, Climate Change" exhibition runs through Oct. 21 at High Street Italia.
