On Saturday 17th September 2022, as part of the fourth edition of Climbing for Climate, the event “Climbing for Climate 2022. Let’s talk about climate change … yes, but at the top!” was held, organized by the UNIMONT Centre of the University of Milan, in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Milan and the Pontedilegno-Tonale Consortium, as part of the “Climbing for Climate 2022” initiative promoted by the Network of Universities for Sustainable Development – RUS and the Italian Alpine Club – CAI.
The setting of the Presena Glacier whitened by the first snow of the year welcomed more than 100 participants to the event “Climbing for Climate 2022. Let’s talk about climate change… yes, but at the top!”.
The event was introduced by Professor Anna Giorgi, Director of the UNIMONT Centre of the University of Milan, who underlined UNIMONT’s commitment to organizing initiatives aimed at promoting interaction between the academic world and stakeholders. The collaboration between universities and the territory was also confirmed by the intervention of Vania Zampatti of the Pontedilegno-Tonale Consortium who established a degree award for students of the UNIMONT Centre who will carry out internships and final papers relating to the theme of the effects of climate change on the environment and on the tourist economy in the mountains.
The first part of the event saw contributions of experts from the mountain world and professors of the University of Milan – such as Professor Claudio Smiraglia and Professor Riccardo Guidetti representing Network of Universities for Sustainable Development (RUS), scholars of the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (DISAA) , and ecologists of the Department of Environmental Sciences and Policies (DESP) – and of the Polytechnic University of Milan – including Professor Eleonora Perotto, RUS delegate and head of the sustainability service, with the participation of scholars from the Trento Science Museum (MUSE), who discussed the present situation and the future of glaciers, reiterating the need to intervene in an effective and timely manner to counter the climate crisis.
Participants were asked to fill in a short questionnaire, regarding their commitment to reduce their impact on the environment, the results of which were gathered by UNIMONT and will be shared shortly. In addition, the participants received a free UNIMONT water bottle with the challenge of sending photographs to the University demonstrating their use of this eco-friendly gadget.
In the afternoon, the event continued with an excursion from Passo Paradiso to the Capanna Presena Refuge where participants took the cable car to reach an altitude of 3000 and observe the Presena Glacier, protected for years by geotextile sheets and which represents the emblem of the need to implement concrete action aimed at preserving the glacier and protecting the economy of mountain areas.
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