Oggi ho aggiunto un impegno alla sezione "Commitments" di TakingITGlobal che mi sta molto a cuore. Di questi tempi, un po' per lo studio e un po' per interesse personale, ho iniziato a leggere molti articoli e blog sulla cittadinanza attiva. Mai come ora mi sento ispirata a far parte di una comunita' (grande o piccola che sia) di cittadini di tutte le eta' che affrontano le difficolta' quotidiane in comunione... e in uno spirito di collaborazione. Mi ispira molto questo concetto della cittadinanza attiva- e' qualcosa che spero di poter approfondire durante il corso dei miei studi e qualcosa che spero di poter portare avanti nel mio piccolo facendo la mia parte di brava cittadina informata ed attiva.

Si comincia con i piccoli passi, certo. Per prima cosa, rendersi disponibile in casa, tenendo una mente aperta, facendo domande, informandosi, rendendosi a disposizione per aiutare chi ne ha bisogno. E poi si continua magari salutando quel vicino di casa che si incontra ogni giorno sulle scale, frequentando e sostenendo iniziative di quartiere... sono molti i piccoli passi che si possono fare per sentirsi parte integrante di una comunita'.

Un'iniziativa che mi intriga parecchio e' quella della Banca del Tempo e per saperne di piu' c'e' questo link:
http://tigurl.org/3q346h

Segnalo anche il IV Meeting Internazionale sulle Politiche Giovanili che si terra' ad Urbino tra qualche giorno. Ecco il link: http://tigurl.org/qbchqw

ci sono tante opzioni... qual e' la tua preferita?

On Monday, the UK Environment Agency released its official "to-do list", a compilation of the 50 most important actions to take right now to combat the effects of climate change.

The Agency asked a series of experts (from authors and policy-makers to religious leaders) to rank in order of importance the 50 most pressing matters that we need to address both as individuals and with the help of the government. We have often heard about things that could be done to "save" the environment, what is different in this case, is the fact that the experts decided to rank 50 of the most common (and not so common) actions in order of their importance and efficacy.

This is a little exerpt from an article from the Guardian, a UK newspaper:
"Many of the suggestions are now so well aired that most of us are probably growing a little weary of hearing them: putting on a jumper instead of turning up the heating (ranked a lowly 49 out of 50 on the list); cycling more (31); and growing your own vegetables (23). But the list offers a few surprises too. For example, for a government agency to publish a list that ranks "buying less" in the top 10 appears quite a bold statement, given that we are constantly told that avid consumption improves our lives and fuels the economy.

"My hope is that we come to see consumption as slightly naff, something you do only when you have to," says Chris Goodall, author of How to Live a Low-Carbon Life, and one of the expert panellists."

To read more, click here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/nov/01/ethicalliving.g2

To read more about the complete top-50 list, click here:
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Environment/documents/2007/10/31/50top.pdf

Here are some examples:
Dramatically improve the energy efficiency of electrical goods
Encourage the widespread use of solar power throughout the world
Secure a meaningful post-Kyoto treaty on reducing the emissions that contribute to global warming
Tackle the rapid growth in aviation emissions
Wean ourselves off dependency on petroleum

I will read through the document more carefully and come up with a list of things I am already doing and things I could work in the short-term future. For now, I commit to walking over taking the car!

Are there things on this list that you are already doing? Do you think the panel missed some important points?

Oct. 15 was Blog Action Day and this year's theme was the Environment, an issue that is very important to me. The point of this whole Action Day was to post something on our blogs that was related to the environment, to raise awareness on the issues connected to it and also to come together as a community of dedicated bloggers to celebrate our environmental efforts.

Below is a summary of what I posted on my personal blog on Oct. 15th:

"This summer I wanted to really commit to the whole eco-blogging scene, and wanted to set up an account that I was going to use to post news and reviews about the environemnt and that I could use as a space in which to write about my monthly environemntal challenges, while provide resources for my readers. I was going to write it in Italian, because there isn't enough knowledge about active citizenships and the environment in that circle and maybe add a translation in English to go with it. But then my busy summer ended and with school+work starting, I haven't been able to fulfill my dreams just yet.

I am not going to annouce that my eco-blog will be up and running shortly (because, in fact, it will have to wait in line) but I have at least decided to try out some of the many things I have been flirting with for a long time and that affect me and my environment very closely.

For example:

- As a solution to my dislike of garbage, and the lack of time to properly dispose of said garbage (something you start noticing when you suddenly live on your own), I have now instated No Waste Month. I will compost even though my street is not elegible for composting (I must make a deal with some of my neighbours and ask them to take in my compost, too) and I am only allowed to waste up to two recylable items each week. The rest... will not be wasted!

I am keeping a "Wasted so far" list on my fridge, complete with a left-hand column that asks "could this be avoided?"

So far I have wasted the plastic box for my raspeberries and a tea box, both of which I can avoid waisting in the future.

- I have just signed up for a veggie delivery scheme with Front Door Organics (long over-due) and I lovelovelove the idea! Also, this will save me so much time and money, both of which are really needed! Think about it local, organic vegetables that you pick and choose... without having to physically go in a store to buy, sounds perfect, no?

- And, finally, I want to start my monthly challenges!
The first one is obviously the No Waste Month, and I am thinking of adding the following:
a. Learn how to make my household and body products from scratch month (shampoos, body lotions, all purpose cleaners etc.),
b. Learn to mend/knit clothes,
c. Learn to make yeast free bread/goods month,
d. Find out more about raw food and how to preapre it,
e. various buy nothing month(s) etc.

I had a list of challenges but I've misplaced it ... do you guys have any suggestions to add to my list? I will post a final list plus updates on a regular basis.

- Also, I am waiting for my first hydro bill so I can switch to bullfrog power (100% clean energy) and I am really excited to volunteer with Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival this year, so I can't wait for both to start.

- All this will be done in conjuction with: writiing my thesis (so learning more about eco theories, problems), applying to grad school for an Environment and Development Master (to keep on learning), keeping my energy consumption to a minimum, supporting local/organic/fair trade businesses and making everything from scratch (food-wise).

I firmly believe that buying green alternatives is ok when they are basic things, but the essential is to reduce consumption. It is really the only true, long-lasting, non-compromising environmental solution that we have... But I recognize that is isn't always easy! However, I am really very excited about all this. There is no better way to feel better than to do something. Coming up with a plan, a list, something. Doing, learning, experimenting.

And now, finally, two articles I want to share, part of my ecology course reading materials for school and very interesting:

Buy Now, Pay Later by Jess Worth (New Internationalist)
http://www.newint.org/features/2006/11/01/keynote/

If You Go Down the Woods Today by Adam Ma'anit (New Internationalist)
http://www.newint.org/features/2006/07/01/keynote/

The End!"

In retrospect, the day was a huge success, you can read more about here: www.blogactionday.com

It felt great adding my two cents to the conversation and feeling part of a larger, global community of bloggers who care about the environment and are getting involved on a personal/daily basis.

The No Waste Month did not go so well because I still haven't asked my neighbours to help me compost, but the experiment made me very conscious of what I throw out and I am now very careful about reusing, reducing and recycling.

My hydro bill finally came and I am happy to report that I have consumed the equivalent of just $1.30 of energy in a whole month. With that bill I was also able to switch to Bullfrog power, so that's done! The veggies were delivered and tasted great, so I have now officially signed up to that program. The Environmental Film Festival was very thought-provoking and I enjoyed volunteering with them...As for the eco-blog, I think I will start one after all... but after my exams, of course.

So what are some of your challenges?