Aula 2A

In all Mediterranean countries we are witnessing extraordinary events that are linked to climate change: think of the water shortage in Sicily in April. The absence of policies suited to the severity of the climate emergency can be overcome by working towards greater awareness. For this reason I would like to tell you about an interesting experience I had in Casale Monferrato, which goes in this direction. This is an educational project as part of the annual program promoted by the Aula delle 2 A: Asbestos & Environment, an interactive and multimedia classroom that has been permanent since 2014 and managed by the Rete ScuoleInsieme and the AFeVA, with the collaboration of Ecoofficina. Among the activities, a questionnaire was administered to school students aged 10 to the fifth year of high school in the period November 2023-January 2024. The questionnaire was created with the contribution of the Compagnia di San Paolo. The proposal was addressed to 4,502 students and the responses were 3,637 corresponding to 81% of the total, equally divided between males and females.

THE RESULTS
The expectation was not to have absolute and definitive answers, but a series of significant indications and propensities. In fact, no question was set up in such a way as to give a like or dis-like response. Among the positive aspects, there was a widespread interest in environmental issues among at least 75% of the sample, who expressed curiosity and interest. They are students willing to go into specifics, delve deeper, compare various points of view. What emerged was a substantial refusal on their part to reduce climate change to ideological conflicts and denials of now consolidated scientific data. This majority does not seem to take into consideration positions that postpone decisions regarding the heaviest and most widespread polluting actions. Look for solutions in the plural, think about sustainable and innovative actions. It expresses a specific request to the school to develop topics that it would like to explore further, to learn more, to decide with greater awareness. Among the negative aspects, we find the I don't know. In general they are limited to 10%. In some more complex questions, however, it widens to 20/25%. It is a share that can be defined as less informed, with minimal basic knowledge and little familiarity and interest in the topic. It's not an insignificant number.

It is worth focusing on some answers to the questions proposed.
In the last year, have you happened to discuss climate change and its consequences with friends at school or in your family? School is indicated as the place where the topic is talked about the most. While "never" (51.9%) and "sometimes" (40.7%) prevail in relationships with friends. The topic is addressed "sometimes" in the family. It is surprising that it is a topic that is rarely present in chatter and discussions among peers. The horizontal group dimension seems unattractive.

Do you believe that the climate changes taking place have a scientifically proven anthropic origin? Almost 80% of young people choose the hypothesis that climate changes mainly have an anthropic origin with evidence of the consequences already today . However, the percentage of I don't know is high, 16.5%. The number of no votes was very low (4.2%).

In your opinion, extreme meteorological events, a consequence of global warming, which have also affected Italy and the Mediterranean Sea in recent years, have contributed to spreading the awareness among public opinion of the need to act urgently to counter climate change? A good number - 66.8% - answer yes, having noticed aspects linked to climate change in the area in which they live. 17% believe no, 16 .3% are unable to answer.

Do you think it is necessary to act quickly with precise plans to reduce greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions? 85.7% say yes. 5.6% said no. 8.7% say I don't know.

Question What scientific and technological innovations will be important in the near future to mitigate the effects of climate change? The first indication: the further efficiency of renewable energy. This is followed by thermal interventions for the dispersion of buildings; the abandonment of fossil fuels, including for commercial transport and electric mobility.

Overall it is a good result that commits everyone - starting from the school - to accompany students, in the coming months and years, towards greater focus on the topic, helping them to make in-depth comparisons on the necessary actions and urgent. An area in which adults often disappoint them. I recommend everyone to read the entire document, complete with data and comments, just make a request to ecofficinasrl@ gmail.com. It would be nice to see this experience taken up in many other communities and schools because the students are not in-shareholders, like too many adults.


Carlo Degiacomi
NP May 2024