Cycling: here is “Bike’s friends” hotels portal

by Annalisa Tancredi

Are you just leaving for the holidays but still haven’t found a place to store your bike? Are you look for the best hotel for you and your bike? Maybe you should take a look at www.albergabici.it website, the new service promoted by Fiab (Bike’s Friends Italian Federation) to find the best bike-friendly hotels in Italy.
On www.albergabici.it cyclists and cycle-excursionists can easily look through a list of over 1800 accommodations for reception, storage and maintenance of bicycles. A complete map of hotels, cottages, b&bs and campings chosen for quality of services available to satisfy who love to ride and enjoy tourism on two wheels: covered and safe shelters for bikes, maintenance shops, hire bikes, guides, maps and reinforced menu. In 2012 has been also introduced "Bicycle’s friends” brand to identify structures that have all the ideal requirements to host cyclists.

The Fiab organizational officer Michele Mutterle explained us in detail what is Albergabici and what are the features: "The site www.albergabici.it is the only one national website that lists hotels that provide services to travelers on bicycle. The goal is to promote facilities like accommodation for travelers on bike to develop a form of sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism".

How are you promoting the program to Italian hotelier? 
"Many hotelier knows the program thanks to the website or just because they were invited to join us by our partners and our 130 associations during their travels on bike around Italy. Until now the site counts 1.800 accommodation".

This year Albergabici has introduced "Bicycle’s friends” brand: what are the features required to get it?
"The “ideal” hotel must accept a guest even for one night, give the chance to dry their clothes, have a safe and covered place to put the bikes for the night, have an angle with the main tools in which the cyclist can perform maintenance and "dirt their hands", have information on cycling routes and maps of the area and then provide a hearty breakfast. Among the 1800 housing on the site we have selected 200 for the printed catalog which have all the characteristics to be considered “Bike’s friends". Those hotels, in addition, receive a certificate, a plaque and two copies of our BC magazine".

In addition to the site, how is the catalog spread among the cyclists? 
"The catalog was sent as an attachment to the magazine to all our 15.000 members and is distributed at major trade fair we attend". 

Finally, what are the most popular Italian regions which ones best equipped?
"The best equipped hotels in Italy are located in Piemonte, Veneto, Lombardia, Puglia and Emilia Romagna. The most popular regions among tourists are Trentino Alto Adige and Toscana".

Each hotel in Italy can sign their personal data for free and all necessary information about the services offered to cyclists. Annually they had to update their personal data that are crossed with Bicitalia.org, a website that allows the geo-localization of hotels and compare their proximity to bike routes.

More...

Summary only...

Latest news: Inter won the “Scudetto”.. of sustainability!

 

by Emanuele Biestro  

Football, you know, never goes on vacation. Even during the summer football is the million fans most preferred topic, fans dreaming with the names of the transfer market. In my opinion this summer the best market signing up is been done by Inter FC. Do you want to know the name and the role of the player? He is Environmental Sustainability and he’s a defender of the environment. Indeed Inter FC, the only one among Seria A teams, in the training camp in Pinzolo (Trento), gives life to a real “Green community”.  

We spoke with Giuseppe Lanzi, Sisifo CEO, agency focused on the use of low impact materials in communication campaigns, which had the merit to coordinate the different realities that took part in this project. “ The project was birth really fast, because of the strong will of Madam Moratti, who put herself in front row to realize the green training camp in Pinzolo. I have to admit that the Pinzolo municipality, that really supported us along the whole project, was already involved in this kind of issues, for example because of the structures realized in local wood, and Trentino Marketing willing to promote the unpolluted territory and Dolomiti Energia, that supply the training camp with clean energy. Our task, continues Lanzi, has been to coordinate the already existing activities with the new ones: we indeed involved within the project Novamont, Eurven, Ecozema and Vita, relevant realities in the sustainability sector. The communication campaign focused on the creation of a slogan and of a coordinate image “Football seeds talents, the environment grows them up”. 

The actions were the production of 15.000 compostable shoppers and 10.000 compostable pens in Mater – Bi and in the complete substitution of the plastic cutlery with the new ones, the work of the compactors, machinery that can separate correctly paper, plastic, cans, taps, glass, organic waste, residual waste, recycled after in different places. Finally, the monthly VITA supported the spread out of sustainability contents, mainly through social networks. “I would like to stress the team work and the great collaboration we hope it could happen also in the future” says Lanzi. “ The fans and all the people in the training camp were eager to be a part of the project and to know more about it. It is rewarding” as Catia Bastioli, CEO Novamont, says, “when firms as Inter FC spend time and energies on these topics”.

More...

Summary only...

Investigative journalism in pills for italian regions: here comes Laura Conti Days

by Annalisa Tancredi  

The recipe for this summer to fight Ecomafia is the administration of investigative journalism pills, for 4 days, from 12th to 15th July at the Castello dei Principi Capano in Pollica (SA). Legambiente and Editorial The New Ecology prescribed it organizing, during the new event Festambiente and Legality - words, music and food against the eco-mafia, a Summer School for all eco-reporters who want to explore the world of journalism and communication environment.  

During the "Laura Conti Days. Course-workshop survey in environmental journalism and writing", the editors of the magazine The New Ecology will lead a series of editorial workshops aimed at acquiring the basics of investigative environmental journalism. Moreover, in 4 afternoons of summer school, it will be possible to meet prominent journalists and authors of the great eco-Italian investigation as: Domenico Iannacone (journalist, Presa Diretta author, Robinson), Toni Mira (Avvenire Assignment editor), Santo Della Volpe (TG3Assignment editor, Libera Informazione Director) and Giovanni Tizian (journalist, author of Gothic, Enzo Biagi 2012 price). 

The event was organized in Pollica to honor Angelo Vassallo, the former mayor of the Municipality killed on 5th September 2010 probably by Camorra. "The best way to remember Angelo Vassallo and defeat those who sought the death is to consolidate the close relationship between Pollica and the partnership between environment and legality - says Legambiente on its site – From this steams Festambiente e Legalità: four beautiful days to visit the Cilento, Pollica and all the places of Angelo Vassallo memories". 

The Laura Conti Days are also associated with the selection process for access to the XII edition of the Euro-Mediterranean Laura Conti Environmental Journalism Course that will be held at the Campus of Savona from 5th November to 14th December 2012, a landmark for those who want to deepen the teaching in this area. 

Summer School editorial workshops will start at 9.30 am and afternoon meeting at 3 pm. The total costs are 300 euro including training, 4 nights accommodation in double, 4 lunches, bus and Festambiente and Legality shows. 

For information and reservations please call 06.32120126, write at formazione@lanuovaecologia.it or visit the site. To conclude with a quotation of great honor: "Respect law and environment. These are the resources of tomorrow for the construction of a new happiness and a new economy" (Angelo Vassallo).

More...

Summary only...

Back to the Earth Hour: on March 31 an hour in the dark for the earth!

by Francesca Morra

In the year that the United Nations has dedicated to Accessing Sustainable Energy and the approach of the Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development, has begun the countdown to Earth Hour 2012: on March 31 from 20.30 to 21.30 will be turning off the lights around the world for the sixth consecutive year! The WWF's famous campaign to fight climate change and sustainable, resulting in an exciting trip around the world in the dark, through all time zones, making use of their global network involving people, cities, institutions and businesses.

The Italian national rugby inaugurated the roundup of Italian ambassador with their video for the campaign. It was projected on large screens in the Olympic pre-match of the Six Nations. The team of the testimonial is very large: you can find, among others, the names of Paola Saluzzi, Beppe Braida, Francesco Totti, Marco Mengoni, Massimiliano Rosolino, Paola Maugeri, Camila Raznovich, Francesco Facchinetti and the children mascot Pocoyo.

The government will be involved with the initiative City Challenge WWF, the international challenge that will reward the good practices of urban sustainability at 360°: are more than 170 large and small Italian municipalities participating. Even companies will give their contribution in reducing its CO2 emissions by joining the "Business Travel Free Week", an interesting initiative that from 26 to 30 March will see the participants make remote and audio conferences in place of long travels around the world.

The web gaves its contribute with many initiatives: "Shirt-hour" on Facebook, through four slogan T-shirts will be voted and therefore, the most votes, printed on special Earth Hour 2012 T-shirt. Who will give his vote will also participate in the extraction of five t-shirts with the winning slogan. I will if you will is a challenge between friends, colleagues and followers around the world in taking concrete action towards sustainability.

In Italy offices, shops, private homes and institutional settings will turn off the light, and in many cities will be organized dinners by candlelight, street events, special events and visits in the evening Oasis WWF to bring citizens the idea of a sustainable future, but possible urgent. Will be in the dark the Scala of Milan, Piazza San Marco and Palazzo Ducale in Venice, Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome, the Duomo and the Baptistery of Florence as well as some of the main assets of FAI - Italian Environmental Fund. Also turn off their lights as a symbol of the event places the dome of San Pietro, the Torre di Pisa, Ponte Vecchio in Florence, the Mole Antonelliana of Turin, the Pirelli Tower in Milan, the Aquarium of Genoa, the Sassi of Matera and many other.

The Earth Hour campaign is especially useful to remember how a small action, coupled with many others, may be a step towards a possible change. So turn off the light!

For further information visit the official site and the Italian one, the Facebook page and Twitter.

More...

Summary only...

Refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle: Bring the bag!

by Marzia Fialdini

To save the world we can begin with small things, small gestures: the campaign Porta la Sporta (Bring the bag) is the only reality that since March 2009 has worked at national level to prepare public opinion to ban the use of plastic bags, and has tried to raise a greater environmental awareness in Italy.

For a more sustainable consumption from 14th to 22nd April 2012 comes back the National Week Porta la Sporta, now in its third edition. The initiative - sponsored by the Association of Virtuous Municipalities, by WWF, Italia Nostra, the Italian Touring Club and Adiconsum, under the patronage of the Ministry of the Environment - invites people to make efficient use of resources by replacing the throwaway with alternatives suitable for reuse. At the same time it seeks to raise awareness on the companies world and organized distribution about producing and distributing products and solutions that enable people to consume low-impact. It is a useful week to rethink lifestyles and more sustainable consumption ways and to adopt the alternative proposals that Porta la Sporta conveys through its initiatives.

With this edition the event and the campaign get to the heart of those further actions that are necessary to prevent and reduce other waste such as containers, packaging and disposable items.

The invitation is open to any type of business, to the retail sector (food and otherwise), to associations and no profit organizations, to schools of all levels, national and local organizations and institutions, and – last but not the least – to citizens. Useful tips to attend the meeting can be found on site of Porta la Sporta, within other initiatives promoted by campaigns for schools and shops as Meno plastica per tutti, Mettila in rete and Sfida all'ultima sporta.

We asked Silvia Ricci, promoter of the campaign, if in addition to those already involved, there are others who would like to participate: "Yes I would like also fairs to be involved. They are places of passage that attract many visitors who come to browse and receive motivations and suggestions, and are therefore well prepared to receive communications. Above all visitors are inundated with gadgets, leaflets, bags and packages: why not take the opportunity to raise awareness with a “sporta” (bag) delivered at the beginning in which they can put all purchases or free sample, thus excluding the proliferation of unnecessary packaging? There is a trade show in particular that by its nature and the city that hosts it would suitable to launch this environmental message: the Book Fair in Turin, but unfortunately for the moment no one has done anything, and it is a shame."

Porta la Sporta opened a dialogue with some of the most important mass retailers in Italy involved with their outlets in the event of April for the third time now. In order to widen the front of corporate stakeholders, the campaign has gladly accepted the offer of a collaboration with the editors of GDOWEEK, a magazine dedicated to the Group's retail Sole 24 ORE. This is a small book available on the numbers of the 2012 GDO Week M@il that Porta la Sporta will use to comment current events that have relevance to the topics addressed by the campaign and have as characters manufacturing and the retail firms.

More...

Summary only...

Varese is not Salerno: racist campaign or smart advertisment?

by Silvia Musso

Do you remember one year ago - it was February 2011 – the bad act of the municipality of Spresiano (North-East Italy) that on the flyer of a public meeting about waste recycling had inserted an image in which a person threw into a bin a Calabria shaped waste? At that time we had wondered if it was an act of "Padan" racism or a simple gaffe or even a fake. Well, these same questions have accompanied the beginning of a recent awareness campaign on recycling sponsored by the city of Varese (North Italy).Some weeks ago, in fact, on the city's streets posters have appeared, bearing only the claim: "Varese, is not Salerno" (Salerno is a South Italy city)

The appearance of the posters immediately provoked an echo of voices, criticism and accusations as evidenced in the pages of the local newspaper Varesenews: «"Varese is not Salerno" and it is a storm. The poster around the city has not gone unnoticed. On our Facebook pages are getting hundreds of comments. The cliam is read in many different ways. And the news arrived also in Salerno. Do not miss Salerno's citizens who write on Varesenews».

The initial storm was calmed down, however, by the explanations of the administration. This was a teaser action – there were actually two kind of poster "Varese is not Salerno" and "Varese is not Pordenone" -before the proper campaign commissioned by the Mayor whose goal is the public awareness on the benefits of sorting waste.

On January 19th, in fact, the Mayor Attilio Fontana contacted his colleagues of Salerno and Pordenone with a letter in which he explained that the municipality of Varese intended to carry out a publicity campaign to sensitize the citizens to separate waste by referring into the posters to the two cities, virtuous examples for separate collection. Pordenone with 78.1% is the most virtuous city of the North in terms of recycling, while Salerno with 70.3%, has the best performance in the South. Varese, with 48.9% have already a good result, but municipal administration wants to improve these.

The administration's idea was certainly intriguing, looking at the amount of reactions triggered mainly on social networks. To evaluate the success, however, we must wait for the next phases of the communication campaign and above all ensure that the first interest of the citizens will turn into a real change in their habits in order to achieve the goal: to arrive by the end of 2012 to 65% of separate waste collection.

We'll see.

More...

Summary only...

TETRA PAK and SUPER HEROES "MILKATEER": a new combination for a fun promotional cartoon!

by Valeria Rocca

The super heroes, an eternal evergreen! Starring in the comic books, movies, cartoons, now peep out even advertising campaigns. Yes, Sharp Image, a studio of communication and entertainment with offices in Canada and Pakistan, has made for Tetra Pak Pakistan a funny TV Cartoon: "MILKATEER".

The primary aim of the TV Cartoon, of course, is to sale and distribute the product, but, at the same time, the communication campaign of Tetra Pak Pakistan also has an educational purpose. Addressed particularly to children but also parents, this cartoon wants to teach them the importance of drinking milk packaged in a hygienic and healthy way, as Tetra Pak does.

A Tetra Pak packaging, with its six layers, retains the characteristics of the original dairy foods that helps the body to be strong and healthy. It defends therefore the people’s health and, more generally, safeguards the environment. Our heroes are the first ambassadors of this message, which constantly appears in the cartoon.

The episodes of the TV cartoon, available on YouTube with English subtitles, are great fun, the graphics are appealing and the characters are well portraied. The simple story is set in Pakistan and contrasts good and bad. The good are Zain and Fiza, two intelligent and courageous children, the super heroes Milkateer. Blue jumpsuit, red bandana and a Tetra Pak of milk makes them invincible and ready to challenge the bad guys! And do not forget their guidance, and best friend, Momoo, a pretty little Moo Cow Moo, who is also the brand ambassador. With her soft eyes and gentle manner, it is impossible not to worship the cow Tetra Pak!

And what about the bad? Kharos is a greedy businessman who buys milk of good quality and alters it with polluted water to double the amount and increase his earnings. His henchmen: Ghaplu, Pawwa Addha are characterized by poor personal hygiene and a little brain. Their task: to deliver milk spoiled throughout the city.

The struggle is difficult and challenging, who will win? Do not reveal the ending, but please see the advertising campaign on YouTube. So you can hear the Tetra Pak hymn, too! Or visit the Facebook page of our super heroes.

Enjoy it all!

More...

Summary only...

Velò – Dico: explain how you advertise, and I’ll tell you who you really are

by Irene Gozellino

We all know how to distinguish a sustainable product from one that it is not, however,we hardly know how to distinguish a sustainable advertisement from one that is not. That aside, what is a sustainable advertising? Perhaps a non-invasive one? Yes, but above all, an advertisement that, in addition to promoting products “good” for the environment, does it in an equally “good” way.
Velò – Dico turns the most sustainable transport, the bicycle ("Velò" in French, hence the pun) in to the most sustainable advertisement.
Veiò - Dico is an advertising service on two wheels, quiet, unobtrusive, environmentally friendly and efficient, which affects lately on the streets of Turin.

Michele Noce, president of the center of aggregation Cecchi Point, has kindly answered our questions.

How was the idea of Velò – Dico born?
«The idea was born inside the young team of the Association Muovi Equilibri with the intention of combining a way of communication and promotion of initiatives and activities to the same criteria of sustainable mobility.Indeed the service also aims to publicize and promote a wider dissemination and use of alternative zero impact transport instead of motor vehicles. In addition, it is not underestimate the importance of direct contact with people that this communication approach tends to establish and enhance; the direct contact with people is in line with our understanding of public space and of a city on a human scale.
Environmental, economic and social sustainability then. Based on these considerations, the service has seen the light together with other services, such as cycle deliveries and training activities such as courses of cyclomechanics and the popular cyclogarage. All these ideas have been collected under the name Cicloffice and actually initiated in the context of intercultural center of aggregation Cecchi Point where the association has found a new home».

What makes the difference between your communication strategy and the traditional advertisements?
«This type of communication strategy has the advantage of arriving in the most direct way to people by concentrating at the same time a double message: a different approach to advertising and 'use of alternative vehicles to carry out any activities of every day life, such as business or pleasure. Moreover, the membership and craftmade dimension supports the offer of services customer designed, meeting customer's specific needs and ideas, a way to approach very useful and stimulating to improve and develop an innovative service like ours. Our communication is then clearly perceived by the public as "sustainable" because, as a rule, the sustainable is what is advertised and promoted».

Envi.info considers this initiative sustainable and highly innovative. We are so happy that Turin will be informed on the street, at once, with news arriving on two wheels.

More...

Summary only...

Sustainable energy plays rock

by Annalisa Tancredi

United Nation declared 2012 the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, to promote global access to energy services among poor countries in an eco-friendly way.
"Sustainable energy" is energy the produced and used in ways that will support long-term human development in all its social, economic and environmental aspects, while "energy universal access" is the physical availability of modern energy services, to meet basic human needs at affordable prices.

Today more than 1.4 billion people in the world lack access to electricity and almost half of the world's population rely on traditional biomass for cooking. For many countries no energy services means no eating, no studying, no hospitals and no economic development. At the same time, if global energy needs growth will not be combined well properly with renewable energy policy, it will be serious consequences on environment.

"Sustainable Energy for All" is an initiative promoted by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, UN-Energy Agency and United Nations Foundation, and intends to involve government and civil society of the world. The goal is to meet three targets by 2030: ensuring universal access to modern energy services, doubling the rate of improvement in energy efficiency and doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

In order to achieve these targets UNF launched the Energy Access Practitioner Network, a group of practitioners from the private sector and civil society working on the delivery supply of energy services and solutions related to electrification. The Network will focus on both household and community level electrification for health, agriculture, education and small business.

About communication, the UNF launched a multimedia campaign to raise awareness on a global scale and increase the visibility of the initiative, thanks also to "Goodwill Ambassador" tribute. The first contribution comes from a famous American rock band, Linkin Park, who took part in the initiative with its popular communication channels. Every day the rock band shares information and contents about the initiative with more than 37 million of followers only on Facebook fanpage and every time users access on its official website, an intro invites them to support “Power the world” campaign donating a solar lightbulb to a family in Haiti.

For more information click the initiative official website www.sustainableenergyforall.org; for Linkin Park click here www.linkinpark.com

More...

Summary only...

Marriage between tourist accommodation and zero waste philosophy

by Silvia Musso

Federalberghi Capri sanctioned with association of municiplities Anci, a memorandum of understanding which aim is to progressively reduce by 2020 the waste productionfollowing the Zero Waste strategy suggested by Paul Connet. The project, called "Zero Waste Hotel", wants to contribute to land and environment conservation, main factor of attraction for hotels.
The identified incentive is given by substantial discounts on TARSU, fee directly relate to the production of waste - producing less waste you pay less, producing no waste at all you won't pay anything - a benefit for the municipalitie sthat will support less financial burden for the wate collection and disposal service.
To better understand what this project is, we interviewed the President of Federalberghi Capri, Mr. Sergio Gargiulo.

What are the advantages for accommodations?
«The hotel industry is going through a delicate and important changes due to the economic crisis, which impact significantly on the balance of companies, but also to profound changes in consumers lifestyles who constantly stimulate entrepreneurs to differentiate their economic offerings, investing in training and professionalism of the staff and on the quality of service with the help of professional equipment and looking more and more for those products linked to the territory. In this reality, therefore, the role of a union of companies, such as Federalberghi, is not only trying to protect the category, but also to propose tools to improve. This is the meaning of this project that tries to start this sector on the road ofenvironmental sensitivity transforming it into a value and competitive element».

Do you believes that this innovation may have a greater appeal among tourists?
«Marketing experts say that consumers are increasingly focused on issues of respect and safeguard of the environment and tend toward virtuous companies. According to recent surveys, in fact, over 40% of bookings in the hotels is also evaluating the sustainability of the structure, and in the world there are more than 30 certification bodies for eco-sustainable hotels. The sustainable location has two fundamental characteristics: it provides a better travel experience to tourists (authenticity, flavor,color, smell...), it lasts over time and therefore allows the touristic businnes to work with a long term perspective».

What are the strategies for communicating the new philosophy to customers?
«The first key element that provides our project is the training of our staff so that the customer perceives the philosophy implemented in our hotel. Advise for a correct implementation of the Protocol will be placed in the rooms. Finally, during international trade fairs and on web portals our procedures will be given and those who apply our protocol will be identified by a label called "A star for the environment". Federalberghi, along with prestigious and influential partners, has wanted to promote the label as a clear and positive message for a better future for both companies that it represents and for whole».

Among the 14 municipalities that have joined the project stands also Naples, the largest administration. The idea is to extend these practices to all national hotels. The relationship between accomodation and waste reduction is a virtuous path already taken in other European countries. We hope that Italy, the country of tourism hospitality, will be able to welcome this new challenge and effectively communicate it.

More...

Summary only...

Cities fit for cycling: the urban revolution comes from web

by Silvia Musso

It is spreading on the web, it has grown from the bottom and in one month has been collecting thousands of adhesions across Europe.

It is a real campaign of environmental awareness on cycling, which, launched on the first page of Times, following a tragic incident of Mary Bowers, Times journalist, hit by a lorry when she was just yards from arriving at work on her bike, has exploded on social networks across Europe. The campaign is called "Cities fit for cycling" and is inspired by a six minutes video that tells the story of when the Netherlands were choked with cars and decided to encourage the construction of bicycle paths. Because virtuous Netherlands was not born with cycle paths, but the current urban configuration is the result of a process of active citizenship that has seen Dutch people personally involved to deeply change their cities. With the economic boom after the Second World War the cities began to be invaded by cars, old buildings destroyed to make way for major roads. In the seventies, however, more and more citizens began to protest for the "traffic mrders" and, thanks to the oil crisis of those years, the government decided to change the face of the Netherlands.

That movement grew from house to house, with small events into squares till to cover whole Netherlands. The movement "Cities fit for cycling" is similar because it comes from bottom, but is updated to our times and to current technology. It is spreading, not among households and cities' streets, but across the European virtual streets using the web as a powerful meeting vehicle.

The manifesto "Cities fit for cycling" characterized byeight proposals for improving the safety of bicycles in the city, has arrived also in Italy baptized in Italian "Salvaiciclisti" - save the cyclists -, and raised by numerous blogs and websites. On Facebook 34 bloggers have created a page that counts nearly 7,900 members. The aim is to highlight the issue of safety of cyclists on the roads and increase public awareness about the many accidents, sometimes fatal, that occur in our cities. The Facebook page aims also to involve main Italian newspapers following Times' example, to report proposals and stress events.

The initiative is already collecting the first successes: several media talk about it; a bill that takes some of the manifest's proposals, was signed by 61 Parliament's members and a ten-point document for local administrators was created.

Bottom up, spontaneous, technological: these are the elements of this communication campaign that we hope will be as effective as that one that in the seventies allowed the urban revolution of the Dutch cities which we all yearn.

More...

Summary only...

Graffiti Grannys: knitting-sized cities

by Annalisa Tancredi

New forms of urban guerrilla are literally knitting balls of thread in the United Kingdom. In Cornwall there is a new spontaneous movement of "guerilla knitting", which aims at beautify urban spaces and color gray squares and public monuments with original knitted works. Authors of these crochets are Graffiti Grannys, a group of eight women between 45 and 65 years who during the night, in anonymity, adorns benches, lampposts and fences with objects made from wool and yarn. And so in the morning the citizens are surrounded by an explosion of bright colors and funny shapes that is a touch of exceptional urban creativity making daily routine more pleasant and harmonious.

A particular re-appropriation of urban space through the artistic expression of "yarnbombing", a street art midway between the graffiti and guerrilla gardening which shares the aim to re-enhancement urban environment. Its origins can be traced back to the name of texan Magda Sayeg, who in 2005 started to decorate at first door handles of her shop with knitted and then, on commission, city-bus in Mexico City and the Smart fortwo. Graffiti Grannys, however, are reinterpreting urban environment in the UK and, despite their commitments to knit around the world, have found a moment to answer our questions.

Who are Graffiti Grannys?
«We are a group of 8 aged between 45 and 65, we also have a lady who knit for us who’s 97!»

About your history: when is your movement born?
«We started yarnbombing on 1st April 2010 where we left 68 mice on the harbour wall in Marazion, Cornwall (UK). Ever since then we try to yarnbomb once a month!»

What are your values and ideologies?
«We love to make people happy and smile when they see our work! We go out very late or very early so we are not seen, as no-one knows who we are. All our work then vanishes as people collect them! We have just got back from New York as we were invited to exhibit in an exhibition held by Vogue Knitting Live. We have had work go all over the world, people find them and then take them back to where they live abroad. We now have lots of followers on Facebook and Twitter!»

If you were in Italy, where would you like to realize a guerrilla knitting?
«If we were to yarnbomb Italy, it would be nice to make somewhere that did not look so good, into somewhere very pretty to make the people smile as they go about there work!»

More...

Summary only...

'O Sole mio

by Emanuele Biestro

How the sunbeams become energy? What is the difference between the thermic solar energy and the photovoltaic one? Do the solar panels work even if it rains? the promoters of the European Solar Days, the most important information campaign europeanwide dedicated to the promotion of the use of solar energy as heat and electricity, will answer to all of these and many more questions. The campaign is co-funded by the European Commission within the programme "Intelligent Energy Europe", aiming at living a future energetically sustainable.

The campaign will be held from the 1st to the 13th of May in Italy and in other 16 European countries. In 2012 it will be the 5th edition: the figures of the past 4 ones show that there have been organized almost one thousand events with over 300.000 participants only in Italy. All the events on local, national or European scale dealing with solar energy will be part of the European Solar Days: the past ones were mainly fairs, products displays, workshops for children and students, guided tours to solar installations, training courses, information points, all of them with one aim: free the energy of the sun!

"For this year we expect a wide attendance. It is passed almost a month after the opening of the enrolments and we recorded already 16 events and other contacts for upcoming ones. We are trying to take advantage of the social networks, advertising the campaign on Facebook with a page dedicated to the event" say Concetta Laudicina and Riccardo Battisti, members of the National Secretary of the European Solar Days in Italy.

Actually, the strength of this campaign lives in the difference of the proponents of the events and as a consequence of the ways to communicate: the initiatives will be set by firms, NGOs, local authorities, schools or private citizens and they will be recorded on a list available at www.eusd.it, where through an interactive map we can see all the events programmed all over the Europe, promoted by local and national media.

The event will be organized in association with Ambiente Italia and Legambiente, and the support of Assolterm, Coordinamento Agende 21 Locali Italiane, Gifi, Kyoto Club, Qualenergia and Solarexpo.

More...

Summary only...

Green apps for green users

by Anna de Polo

Among the multitude of apps available for anyone has a Smartphone there must be, of course, the green ones. More or less useful, more or less enjoyable, they are surely to download, at least for giving it a try, or because we want to feel green before actually being so. Yes, because nowadays the apps we have on our phones tell a lot about our personality and our lifestyle. As to say “tell me what apps you have and I’ll tell you who you are”. Or who you want to be.

So, if you want to give a green touch to your set of apps, you may start with the mother of all the eco-friendly apps: EcoApps. Free of charge, available for both iPhone and Android systems, it updates the users every time a new eco app becomes available. Alternatively, you can have a look on the web, where many lists of green apps are available to consult.

To set order among the several apps on the market, we can divide them into three categories. The first one includes the apps that calculate the ecological footprint of the user, usually on the basis of the distance covered and the mean of transport used, such as Green Brief, Carbon Track, Green Meter and UNEP Carbon Calculator. The last one, in particular, stands out among the others because, besides its enjoyable graphic layout, it illustrates the role that terrestrial and marine ecosystems play in storing greenhouse gases. Particular relevance is given to the coastal ecosystems, such as mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and saltwater marshlands, which as underlined by the BLU Carbon concept, act as carbon sink for the atmospheric carbon. Besides calculating our own ecological footprint, it’s also possible to get advices on “what can I do to help”, including buying sustainable seafood. By following the related link it’s possible to access the portal of another app, Seafood Watch, developed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which provides information on where to buy or consume fish and sushi caught or farmed in a sustainable way. Unfortunately this app at present is available only for the States, but we can hope that it’ll be soon extended to the European countries, given its potential usefulness.

The second group of apps, such as GoodGuide, Go Green and Green Power, provides advices regarding how to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle and, at the same time, save up money. Green Power, for example, available only for Android system, allows increasing the life of the battery, thanks to the energy saving.

The third category of apps updates and informs the users about environmental topics. Particularly interesting is SkepticalScience, conceived for confuting the scepticism surrounding climate change. Based on a popular Australian blog, it contains data, surveys, graphs and interesting links about the topic.

Now you just have to download and launch one (or more) of these apps, mostly free of charge, thus making more room for the environment in your everyday life.

More...

Summary only...

Seven Rooms & bar: when the tradition meets the sustainability

by Irene Gozellino

Holidays are still far, but the Envi.info’s team would like to offer you a new chance of relaxing for those of you who wish to take a break: the SEVEN ROOMS & BAR of S. Benedetto del Tronto (centre Italy). We’re talking about a nice Hotel and B&B, very functional under a logistic point of view as it is near the city-centre and by the sea, with beautiful rooms equipped with every comfort, free Wi-Fi connection, affordable prices and a familiar atmosphere. Why should we write about it? Because the SEVEN ROOMS & BAR is a unique example of sustainability (as it was also certificated a few weeks ago) and by this we don’t mean only environmental sustainability.

The owners, Pietro and Angelica, are both deeply involved in the protection of the region and its environmental resources. The entire energetic requirement of the hotel is supplied by solar panels and most of the food and the wine served are not only organic but also “Km 0” and of local origin.

Since November 2011 the SEVEN ROOMS & BAR became the first Circolo AIAB (Italian association for organic agriculture) of Marche Region, an association of local producers and consumers for the diffusion and development of a sustainable agriculture. The activities promoted by the Circolo, such as the chance of tasting many organic specialties, are all listed in the beautiful and easy to use website of the Hotel.

The owner, Pietro Canducci, has kindly answered our questions.
What prompted you to give your hotel a "sustainable" and environmentally friendly identity?
“A deep passion for these issues that turns into a real and daily commitment to make our life more sustainable. I think it is important to involve other people into this passion, only then we can make a system of issues that cannot be underestimated. With my business I provide a service, by communicating and creating awareness. I'm the first to involve people who had never even tried to learn about these things!"

Do you think this identity could be an added value compared to other "normal" business hotels?
"Yes, absolutely, and it will keep on adding value to it over time”.

How do you communicate all this to your customers and what is their reaction? Do you find appreciation? If yes, what kind?
“We write them by mail, we communicate through the website and through its events, by notifying them personally when they arrive to our facility. Plus, some information material is available in every room. The reaction is positive at least from those who make use of the hotel and from outside (especially foreigners). For what concerns the natives, (the Sambenedettesi), there is still prejudice, the city is not fully mature […] However I know that more and more people are approaching positively to my work. There is curiosity, my company's Facebook page reached 186 fans in less than a year and this means a lot for a small company like mine [...] however the sensitivity increases. Although the percentage of people who wish to know about initiative is already sensitive, therefore they find pleasure in finding a place where they can share the same passions and the same interests with others!"

If you're not convinced yet, just think that your stay at the Seven Rooms & BAR could be entertained by one of the exhibitions of young local talents to which parts of the structure are made available in order to expose their creativity, always at at Km 0.

More...

Summary only...

Go North

by Emanuele Biestro

Sometimes it happens even to the best communicators to stumble across complicated notions to be explained to the mainstream. This is not surely the situation of the Kairòs Studio, a group of people who aim to talk in a simple, funny and pro way mankind's challenges towards a sustainable future. Indeed, they have been called to create a cartoon movie explaining how the CO2 capture and storage technology works, a project carried on by some researchers at the University Centre in Longyearbyen, on the isle of Svalbard (Norway).

«When they contacted us to create a flash animation featuring the Longyearbyen CO2 lab's carbon capture project we jumped at the idea, but we were also conscious of the difficulties and hard work involved: to explain a complex scientific/technical project to groups of school children would be challenging» say on the project website Daniele Di Domenico and Simone Cau, who take care respectively of the video and multimedia section and of the animation within the Kairòs Studio.

Concerning this, the employees of the Kairòs Studio had the perfect intuition about creating a story featuring a little molecule of carbon dioxide named Dioxy, set first in a coal mine, then through the mineral mining and the combustion until the CO2 storage cave, where the setting is composed by an arena in which all the other CO2 molecules are entertained by a show lasting 12 thousand years: this is how long it takes for the CO2 to be stored!

«Working for a public composed almost entirely by 10 year old children really helped us because it is necessary to simplify a lot of things in order to communicate to children and let the fantasy go», says Daniele, who stressed also the work on the soundtrack «entirely original and of our own, with pieces and songs, very catchy, to impress the audience». The result is a 23 minute lasting video, divided into 8 episodes, published two by two each Monday, starting from February, the 6th.

«From the very beginning we conceived the video as a double-faced tool, very flexible. Indeed, it could be seen as a movie during conferences, shows and similar "live" events, otherwise it could be web broadcast through the episodes» says Daniele. The episodes will be available on the Kairòs studio YouTube channel and on the Facebook page.

The belief is to have done a great job for the children, hoping this would be the same for the adults asking to learn more.

More...

Summary only...

Cycle carnival floats and Horse-bikes in Putignano Carnival

by Annalisa Tancredi

Holidays’ sense is wondering what holidays means. The Carnival has its origins in Greek and Roman pagan celebrations, consisting in abandon daily works to take part celebrations dancing and drinking wine (into bacchanalia). The masks symbolized the established social order subversion to generate, by the kaos, a new phase of symbolic regeneration. In this time, however, it seems that the abundance and the extravagance belong to everyday life and if we want to subvert the established order in occasion of the Carnival, we should dress sustainability and eco-friendly green mask.

This is what has been organized in Putignano Carnival 2012, that is a parade in the name of sustainable development and alternative mobility, programmed from 17th January to 21th February. New green Carnival, promoted by the new president Franco Laera and the Puglia region Mobility department councilor Guglielmo Minervini, will integrate its traditional carnival parades with cycle-lights, 2 carnival floats and 10 horse-bike sharing stations.

"Putignano Carnival 618th edition want to combine the spirit of tradition and innovation - said President Franco Laera - An event to enhance ancient traditions but looking at future modernity, promoting new ideas to grow up our Carnival and to make it more and more sustainable. And it is because in the intention of turning "green" the Carnival and, in general, to promote best practice in everyday life, that we are managing a sustainable mobility project. An opportunity to combine traditional and sustainable Carnival".

During the event, cycle-lights will be powered by alternative energy produced by bike movement like 2 zero impact cycle carnival floats which will generate necessary energy to power music and lights, thanks to a pedal mechanism. “Cycle-carts are the expression of futuristic vision – said Franco Laera – an example of sustainability. An artistic work representing carnival floats’ traditional work evolution. Sustainable mobility project is growing thanks to an hard team work that is like the energy powering carnival floats”.

Additionally will be allocated 4 bike sharing stations with 10 nice bikes masked as horses wich could be rent by visitors during the days of parades. Finally, on Friday 17th February, Putignano Carnival will be part of “M’illumino di Meno” (I will use less light) initiative promoted by Caterpillar transmission on Radio2 and, in the afternoon, there will be a zero impact concert of "A'SUrD Batukada".

More info www.carnevalediputignano.it

More...

Summary only...

First 10 candles for Eco dalle Città

by Silvia Musso

Envi's editorial staff and AICA are pleased to share an important goal.

Eco dalle Città, on line magazine newsletter for the urban environment, and colleague of many adventures, first of all, the European Week for Waste Reduction, celebrates 10 years of activity.

We interviewed Paolo Hutter, magazine's director.

Eco dalle città has been dedicating to environmental communication and information for 10 years. How has the communication environment changed in this decade?
«First, there are many more sites and more sources of information and communication. Although it is still missing - but it is so even in greener countries than ours - a very influential and recognized voice, a "Sole 24 ore" (Italian economic newspaper) about environment. There has been a development linked to the growth of businnesses that feed the so-called green economy. Then there are the general changes in information and communication, those related to the advent of social networks in general and short messages. There are not all positive changes, there is always the risk of superficiality, of lack of memory. And there is still a lot of ignorance around, people confuse smog and greenhouse gas emissions, for example».

What is the communication campaign or event you are more connected and you keep the best memory?
«The campaign we are most related to is definitely the European Week of Waste Reduction. We have participated since 2008 to the first pilot edition of the event. We are part of the national steering committee and we take care of the Italian official website of the event: www.menorifiuti.org. We believe that the issue of waste prevention must find more and more space among the actors involved in the initiative (institutions, companies, associations, schools ...) but also, in general, among the general public.The need to reduce waste production is a current subject and will continue to be so in the future.The data on waste generation in Europe in fact confirm the need to remain vigilant on the reduction: the European Agency for the Environment in Europe has estimated an increase of up to 558 kg per capita by 2020 (was 524 kg in 2008) unless some effective policies to reduce waste production would be realized».

What are the future plans of Eco dalle Città?
«First, the project to survive is already a big project. We started as a newsletter specializing particularly suited to be "adopted" by local authorities. But in recent years it has become increasingly difficult to receive financial funds by local authorities. And the possibility to finance by ourselves with commercial advertising is very low. We still have to learn to tie ourselves to the growth of the green economy. However, ideas about what we like to do, do not lack, if we find the resources. It would be to better articulate the production and supply of qualified and reliable information, crossing the deepening of the environmental issues of everyday life and a greater ability to find and verify the data of what happens and the terms of the conflicts on the choices on the environment».

To celebrate its tenth birthday Eco dalle Città organizes an eco-friendly aperitif. The event, organized for being coincident with the anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol, will be held February 16th, 2012 from 7 p.m. at BLAH BLAH (via Po 21, Turin).

More...

Summary only...

I click "I like" and save a forest

by Silvia Musso

Thousands of peopl use social networks every day, so what better tool to give your messages the widest echo possible? From this simple but true observation the campaign "One like One forest" by Lifegate, launched on December 14th, has derived. For each Facebook user who clicks on "I Like", a square meter of forest in Argentina, is saved helping to preserve an area rich in biodiversity. Today there are nearly 19,000 users who have clicked "I like", number that is equivalent to as many square meters of saveguarded forest.

«With this initiative we want to share the idea that doing something concrete for the environment is simple and requires no great sacrifice or effort - says Enea Roveda, Marketing Director of LifeGate - in this case, to contribute to the protection of a forest a click is enough».

While the campaign is having a great success, it is also true that Facbook users spend several hours a day to post messages, make comments, report links and chat, and "I Like" "I do not like" is the fastest, but sadly superficial way, to share your opinion: it is not the best way to create environmental awareness about an issue. Often, those who click on the thumb icon do not take an active part in discussions and shy express their opinion without exposing themselves.

But perhaps the goal justifies the means, considering the thousands of collected "I like", that are as many square meters of forest saved, but the work of communication to create a common and widespread awareness to save the forests can not be reduced to this.

Lifegate is surely aware of this, as shown by its many initiatives. LifeGate is in fact the first network for sustainable development that througout different communication channels – magazine, radio, web – promotes a new way of life and an economic model "People, Planet and Profit" where people, planet and profit live in harmony.

Among the many initiatives, we stress "Zero Impact", the first Italian project that since 2002 realized the intent of Kyoto Protocol alongside people and companies on a path of reducing and offsetting their CO2 emissions by contributing to the creation and protection of forests in Italy and worldwide, and the recent "Zero Impact Web" that will reduce and offset carbon dioxide emissions arising from the use of the Internet.

Original is, finally, the "Second day of sustainable beauty". Monday, February 13th hairdressing salons and wellness centers offer some bueaty services. The contribution is free and will go to forest conservation projects in Italy and Madagascar.

"One like one forest"is part of the Lifegate's largest communication project and aims to remember that every little gesture, in everyday life, counts and is useful for the planet's salvation as to turn off the water while soaping under the shower, turn off the monitors' LEDs, turn down the temperature by one degree.

More...

Summary only...

New urban scenes ... of garbage

by Eleonora Anello

How have the streets of our city to the door to door collection of waste? Often this areas do not look so nice. In the worst cases, they tend to resemble small unauthorized landfills. Meanwhile, however, it is a price to pay to get a better quality of recycling. In Auckland, New Zealand, instead, they have found a creative and glamour way for collecting the garbage, thanks to the campaign "Beautify Your City”.

The design project took shape in the distribution of special garbage bags depicting green hedges or colored pansies, instead of traditional bags for collection. The unsightly red envelopes have been banned during the blitz called "Trash Day" and replaced with green ones offered by the citizens and businesses of downtown. The streets of the city were thus converted into neat and unexpected green spaces where even the garbage is not able to alter the urban decor.

This phase of the campaign, which started in November 2011, aimed to combat fly-tipping of waste, especially that of oils and educate traders to take out the trash at the right time, to avoid small temporary landfills in the city. The inititive was carried out by the association of downtown merchants Heart of the City along with the municipal administration in view of the Rugby World Cup.

«The flower beds will help to beautify the problem areas of the city and and remind businesses and residents of the need to do their bit to keep the city clean», said Jane Stewart, Project Manager , Heart of the City. At the launch of the campaign, she added: «The CBD is the heart of Auckland city and the state of our streets leaves a lasting impression on visitors. This is an important time to win the hearts and minds of tourists as well as improve the environment for residents and workers».

"Beautify Your City" has created an atmosphere so evocative that has been immortalized by several images that have flooded the Web in a short time and that have been around the world, reaching an unexpectedly target. To show that aesthetics can not be underestimated, we are pleased to present this best practice, so that other communicators and other administrators make more livable and more beautiful their cities. And who knows whether a glamorous and fun bag will be able to make more enjoyable and profitable the challenging task of waste collection and separation, inescapable duty of every citizen.

More...

Summary only...