The University of Milan participated, with its UNIMONT Research Center Ge.S.Di.Mont. – centre of excellence of the University of Milan – in the second edition of “Climbing for Climate – CFC”,an initiative promoted by the RUS (Network of Universities for Sustainable Development) with the patronage of the national management of the Italian Alpine Club, coordinated at a Lombardy level by the University of Brescia, in collaboration with the Italian Alpine Club Section of Brescia, with the patronage of CRA2030 (University Research and Documentation Center for the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda) and S4S (Students For Sustainability ).
In the splendid natural setting of the Conca del Lago Baitone (read the press release of the event here) – located in the Adamello massif, in compliance with stringent anti-Covid19 regulations, an excursion took place starting from the Premassone refuge, passing by Baitone, Tonolini and Gnutti Refuges, involving teachers, researchers, students and technicians in 17 kilometers of walking, almost a thousand meters of altitude between magnificent high mountain scenarios, which however bear the signs of the profound changes caused by the climate change in progress.
These are the topics dealt with in the discussion between scholars and experts during the excursion and on returning to the Premassone refuge, in the two seminars held by researchers engaged in research and teaching at the UNIMONT Pole, namely prof. Giorgio Vacchiano who spoke about the causes and effects of the Vaia storm – which severely hit the area surrounding the refuge – and Dr. Rachele Stentella, who discussed the topic of phytodepuration in mountain refuges.
The importance of the presence of a university centre such as UNIMONT in the mountains as a practical and effective achievement to combat the abandonment of these territories by combining conservation and enhancement, was also demonstrated on this occasion by meeting UNIMONT students in all the refuges visited – young, keen and committed, during the summer university break, in an important activity such as collaboration in the management of high altitude facilities essential for an aware and safe use of the mountain environment such as refuges – as well as the possibility of tasting excellent products of alpine farmsteads created by young new mountain entrepreneurs who graduated from the UNIMONT centre.
The day ended with the signing of the Appeal for territorial protection and enhancement by Professor Francesco Castelli – Vice Rector of the University of Brescia, Professor Anna Giorgi – director of the UNIMONT centre of the University of Milan, Angelo Maggiore – president of Italian Alpine Club Brescia, and Gian Battista Pasquini – Mayor of Sonico: a commitment to collaboration to promote the sustainable development of mountain areas.
Professor Anna Giorgi signs the Appeal for territorial protection and enhancement.
