The TV teach ecology

by Silvia Musso

The ecology can be taught in TV programs? The answer is yes. The example comes from Canada, where the program of TVA network, “Testé sur des humains“, has promoted the waste sorting and recycle thanks to a candid camera that involved hundreds of peolpe.

This is the scene: we are in a mall in Montreal (Quebec), a man is walking leaves a plastic bottle on the ground a few steps from the bin for recycling. Many people pass by, go up and down, some even see the bottle, but all continue to walk. At one point a girl stops, picks up the waste and throw it into the right container. In that exact moment everyone in the mall, which had been previously warned, clap their hands to the girl who welcomes the acclaim visibly embarrassed for her simple act of civility.

The video is on TV today, the 4th of April. During the showing will pass overlay some messages aimed to lead the viewer to reflect: «Every year we produce 671 million kg of plastic; in every square mile of ocean float 18 000 plastic bottles; each year 400 million delivered containers are not recycled in Quebec; 91% of the population of Quebec is concerned about the environment. And you?».

We believe that television programs can be an important channel for dissemination of environmental sustainability. A fast and direct way to reach large numbers of people.
In Italy a similar experience was dropped from "Un posto al sole", the TV series produced by Rai Fiction, Grundy Italy, CPTV Rai of Naples. In the episode aired on September 17, 2008, and which can be viewed for free on the website, the Italian actor Patrizio Rispo in the role of Raffaele Giordano, the concierge of Palace Palladini, location of the soap opera, told two tenants how to make the right waste collection.

We are amazed by how the task of sending a clear environmental message on the right waste management has been entrusted to a soap opera set in the city of Naples, which unfortunately is again facing another waste "emergency".

While surfing the web and collecting the opinions of fans of the Neapolitan soap it seemed interesting what Federico Valerio, a careful and responsible citizen, wrote in his blog "Concerned Scientist". He give some suggestions to the soap opera’s editorial staff. The character can for example use reusable bags and organize a collective composting initiative in the garden.
We hope that RAI collect these green invitations.