Youth and Sustainability: Shaping the Future of Our Cities

On Monday, March 31, at the Domenico Savio School in Potenza (Italy), a team from the Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis (CNR-IMAA), including researchers Monica Salvia and Filomena Pietrapertosa, led a workshop with third-year students on “Climate Change and Cities”.

The session provided an opportunity to discuss key climate change challenges and promote more sustainable and responsible behaviors. After an introduction to the concepts of mitigation and adaptation, the discussion focused on the critical role cities and citizens must play in addressing the climate crisis.

European initiatives supporting the transition towards climate neutrality and resilience were also presented, including the LIFE LOCAL GoGREEN project which fosters cleanenergy transition in small urban centers, with a particular focus on the Italian municipality of Tito.

The workshop also introduced climate planning tools available through the Covenant of Mayors – Europe for Climate and Energy, the European Climate Pact, and the role of ambassadors in promoting sustainability. A key example was the EuCliPa.IT – Associazione italiana del Patto Europeo per il Clima, which unites Italian citizens and climate ambassadors.

Students actively engaged in the discussions and participated enthusiastically in interactive activities such as “Climate Steps” and “Postcards from the Future,” demonstrating great awareness and interest in tackling climate change.

Raising awareness and fostering education on sustainability are essential for building climate-resilient cities!!