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.

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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.

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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.

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Reuse? Posh stuff…

by Eleonora Anello

There are initiatives that arise primarily with humanitarian purposes but which are environment-friendly and can also become an example to emulate for those who want to engage in environmental communication. One of these cases is Merci, the Parisian concept store opened in 2009, which donates all its profits to charity.

1500 square meters filled with furniture, clothes, toys and any object is no longer used. All these items can be brought to the store at 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais Paris who comes to help those who would like to donate but do not know how and where to go. This makes the most needy, the benefactors and, why not, the environment happier.

Probably the Cohen spouses, founders of the luxury clothing for children Bonpoint company, have thought about the environmental aspect of the initiative enhancing sustainable products marketing. "I do not expect to save the planet! - Marie France said in an interview - however, I wish him as little pain as possible. And if I have the chance to choose between selling plastic dishes or others in bagasse (sugar cane fibre), made in beautiful colours, obviously I choose the latter. It’s time to understand that solidarity means no longer austerity or sadness".

Media give a lot of visibility to the store, as shown on Merci’s website, which is dominated by the symbol of the concept store: a 500 car full of antique objects which you can admire in the courtyard of the store. The website itself seems not to be interested in the web’s potentials, offering the customers a single html black and white page. The project relies on the real goods exposure rather than to the virtual reality, and the store has been joined by a literary café, a florist and a chic canteen.

A real wonderland, a little and a bit snobby world with a philanthropic vocation. Merci is a mecca for those design objects re-launched on the circuit of consumption pointing on scenery. It is that place where the wealthy will find themselves completely at ease. Dream for shopping-addicted who can finally buy goods for a good cause.

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Kids, responsibile tourists

by Silvia Musso

The schools are close and it is time of well-deserved holiday also for the children. If you dont' have ideas on what to offer your children, a help comes from WWF Italy and Touring Editore that together published the first guide on responsible tourism targeted at children.

Io viaggio responsabile! (I travel responsible!), this is the title of the book written by biologist Elena Gatti and realizrd under the scientific supervision of supervisione scientifica of WWF Italy, tells in comic form and log book the adventures of Berny and Ele, two enterprising kids, protagonists of trips to the seaside, countryside, mountains and travels troughout Egypt and Nepal.

Young readers are approached to a way of travelling that respects the environment, heritage and artistic cultures of the places and peoples, the interests of local communities. The kids learn without getting bored the five commandments of responsible tourist, which are dedicated to the chapters of the book: to protect the environment, to respect people, to meet the animals, to do smart purchases, to move without polluting.

«To speak of ethics and proper behavior in an abstract sense can be not only difficult to understand for a kid, but ... very boring! - Ornella Pavone, curator of the book and of the Junior Touring catalog, says - A funny communication as the comic book, and immediate, like the diary, written in first person by the two protagonists of the stories, stimulates curiosity and interest of children by making them go into the problems, skipping the "theory" stage».

From the story in fact the key principles of responsible tourism come out which are then summarized and systematized in fun cards. At the end of each chapter, in addition, readers can try the quiz and personalise the guide with their observations and photographs.

«The issue of Responsible Tourism is part of Touring Editore issues - Mrs. Pavone says- It is a current on which the attention of tour operatorsis is increasingly focused all around the world. So, from touring guides for adults, it was natural to transfer the message of the new style of travelling, sustainable and respectful of cultures and territories, also to children and teens, from 6 to 14 years, the readers of the volumes that are offered by Junior Touring».

The volume is unique in its kind. Io viaggio Responsabile! is the first book to bring these issues to children and it is new for both issue and formula. It is also a cross-reading of many school subjects: geography, science, history, literature, art, civics, religion are involved. It could be good not only for young people, but to be a useful tool for a teacher who wants to face informally with their children important and very timely topics.

In the coming weeks, while kids will enjoy reading this comic, teachers could start planning the next school year by placing these important issues of environmental and social sustainability into their teaching subjects.

Meanwhile, the collaboration betweenTouring and WWF Italy continues. It has been recently published Weekend nella natura (Weekend on nature), a guide on 45 routes in the WWF oasis, and in all probability Io viaggio responsabile! will be the first in a series of books for children that address the many issues of “light” tourism.

«This alternative way to travel - Mrs. Pavoneconcludes - has just overlooked the Italian scene, but is attracting growing interest from the public, especially the younger ones, because it proposes ways to travel adapt of everyone and favors the family target . Biking, hiking, trail rides, train, boat, natural oases: there is a whole world of adventurous and interesting trips even in the short and medium range, and children are naturally curious and always ready to go».
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Music is energy

by Eleonora Anello

Music as a means to spread environmental awareness? Of course it is, when its use has low environmental impact.

A study of the Observatory on environmental sustainability and music, commissioned by Edison in collaboration with Renato Mannheimer ISPO, has shown once again that in Italy we declare ourselves in favor of the environment but then we do little to protect it. 70% of the sample says they are very sensitive to environmental issues, although 39% does not implement any environmentally sustainable behavior.

From the published data it appears that the bigger problems are in the field of public transport. Very few manage to do without their cars to get to a musical event. And there's more. Some genres are greener than others: the most virtuous are those who love classical music, while the black jersey goes to the metal heads.

In this light, Edison, to spread a music more in line with the environment and develop a culture of sustainability and energy conservation in this area, decided to do its part by launching Edison-Change the Music, a contest addressed to emerging bands. Who will prove to be more environmentally friendly will open the concert by Jon Bon Jovi in Udine, July 17th. The project has been joined by several members of the musical world including Piero Pelù, Elio e le Storie Tese, Enrique Iglesias, Annie Lennox, Omar Pedrini.

"There are many ways of doing business - said Andrea Prandi, director of external relations of Edison - With this project we believe that we can tie the theme of energy to that of environment conservation. Along with Legambiente we intend to convey to as many people as possible a message that encourages the sustainable use of energy resources. We chose music as a mean of communication, both in its popular expression and through more educated music. Indeed, we are also sponsor of the Prima della Scala. Edison-Change the Music has also become partner of the Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign promoted by the European Commission: this is a source of great pride for us".

If one energy company focuses on young people, another relies on stars, going on with well-tested projects. We are talking about Enel that, after the success of Safari Tour 2008, renews its collaboration with Lorenzo Jovanotti. "Ora in Tour Lorenzo Live 2011 - Music CO2 neutral" is a series of concerts across Italy, which began last April and will conclude at the end of this year. Its aim is to neutralize the emissions of the musical event with a program of reforestation and development in Cameroon. Each individual viewer may also directly participate in the initiative through the Compenso Positivo website, through which you can enter a raffle for a tree and give it its name.

"The collaborative project with Jovanotti -Enel says- is fully integrated in the commitment of the company to promote sustainability through a process that involves the use of renewable sources in energy production, the use of new technologies in the reduction and storage of emissions, measures of efficiency and energy-saving, the use of products with low environmental impact, information and awareness campaigns on the consumption of energy. In particular, the beginning of the tour of the singer coincides with the launch of "CO2 Neutral", the new Enel brand that identifies the services of Carbon Neutrality. Indeed we have been active for a long time in the volunteer market of the footprints for a wide range of services. Events, campaigns, sales of energy and other initiatives can be neutralized through innovative activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing in a concrete way to improve the life on the planet and to the fight against climate change".

For years, however, environmental groups have tried to highlight other truths on the production of Enel. So much that some singers have decided to side with the citizens who pay the consequences dramatically. In August 2010, during the event Correnti Musicali, Simone Cristicchi, pressed by the environmentalists, refused to sing in the coal plant "Federico II" of Cerano (BR), which is not surprisingly dubbed “the plant of death", because it not only affects the beautiful landscape of Salento, hitting its tourism, but also keeps claiming victims among the inhabitants of the district. A dossier of Legambiente of 2007 has shown that the kindly-named plant, a true eco-monster that is located on the beautiful Adriatic beaches, produces over one third of total national emissions.

All this ambivalence between what is communicated and what is done can only create doubts and confusion.
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Going on holidays to work

by Anna de Polo

For those looking for an experience outside the box for the next summer, the French organization APARE ("Association pour la Participation et l'Action Régionale”) offers an alternative and “useful” holiday. The association, recognized by the European Union, organizes each summer work camps and campuses in the Southern Alps and the Cote d'Azur, but also in countries around the Mediterranean such as Algeria, Greece, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia.

In the work camps, volunteers of various ages and nationalities are actively involved in the protection and enhancement of natural and the cultural heritage of rural Mediterranean areas.
Over a period of 2-3 weeks, experienced professionals introduce the volunteers to the art of restoration and stonework. It is thus possible to benefit from an educational experience on the professional level, but also on the human level, thanks to the opportunity to know and work with people of different cultures and origins. There are also moments of leisure, where participants can relax with sporting, cultural and artistic activities: it is indeed a holiday, although different because useful and adventurous. The peculiarity of this kind of experience is to offer an opportunity that is diametrically opposed to the “pop” divertissement we're used to use to distract us from the worries of everyday life, but also, at times, from ourselves. Holidays are often an escape from routine life and the box in which we live most of the year, but this should not necessarily results in a kind of fun that in the end leaves us empty and tired. It can be rather surprising to find that the practical and manual work, carried out in contact with people different from us, the physical and mental engagement with something that has practical use and a noble purpose, can be much more satisfying and refreshing than any holiday of "pure fun".

The offer of APARE is just one of several proposals for environmental and archaeological work camps for young students or enthusiasts who want to share an experience of solidarity, civic participation and education. Also Legambiente offers each year volunteer camps focus on different topics, from biodiversity protection to the enhancement of the local cultural heritage. One of the work camps proposed for summer 2011 is about the environmental rehabilitation of territories affected by crime. «Legambiente has always been deployed against the eco-mafia. Since 2000 it’s working with Libera to realize work camps where environmentalism and legality meet together in order to become concrete projects - explains Luca Gallerano, head of the Voluntary Sector of Legambiente. The goal is to spread a culture based on citizenship that might conflict with the culture of privilege and blackmail, which is typical of the mafia in Italy, and thus prove that, even in places where the mafia has lorded, it is possible to reconstruct a social and economic society based on legality and on the respect for human beings and for the environment».

An alternative summer, after all, full of practical work, cultural exchange and environmental and civic engagement, to meet different people and discover something new about our territory, our culture and perhaps even about ourselves.
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Arte Mare Scienza Festival: a sea of history, science and culture, all to be enjoyed

by Anna de Polo

Imagine sitting in a bar after a long day full of events, enjoying a glass of wine or a cocktail, while someone tells tales of the sea, the sea in all its forms, from the roar of the sea storms to the silence of the submarine world, passing through stories of sailors and fishermen. This tempting experience can be enjoyed in occasion of the "Aperitivi con la Scienza” (Appetizers with Science), meetings in the middle between tale and scientific divulgation that are just one of the more than 150 proposals presented in the Arte Mare Scienza Festival: four days of events dedicated to all lovers of sea, nature and culture, where culture means also the rediscovery of the territory and its traditions. Organized by Sheraton Hotel Genova, in collaboration with the Marine Protected Area of Portofino, the Comune of Santa Margherita Ligure and major research institutions, the festival will take place in June 2 to 5 and will have as main theatre Santa Margherita Ligure.

«The idea -as explained by Alessandra Tixi, Press Office of the festival- comes from a group of friends with a desire to convey the wonders of the territory in which they live, the Park of Portofino, unfortunately known more for its mundane features rather than for its natural characteristics. The desire to create an event dedicated to lovers of nature and environment was what made possible to set up the Arte Mare Scienza Festival. The aim of the festival is to promote sustainable tourism, giving to different people the possibility to discover the territory and the traditions to 360 degrees».

And indeed the calendar is full of suggestions for everyone, young and old, experts, enthusiasts and merely curious. For the amateur of image they will offer contests that give the opportunity to capture glimpses of landscapes of difficult accessibility, as well as a course in underwater photography. Food lovers can discover the specialties of Liguria and learn how to consciously buy the fish, while for the youngests they will organize contests that test their skills in the creative design and the nature photography. In addition to all of this there will be courses, workshops and excursions (including sea-watching, diving, eco-kayak tours and excursions in four-plane above the cape) to know and experience the sciences, the arts and the crafts of the sea. Of note, among the various laboratories in the calendar, the Atelier MarineLife, edited by ArteScienza and Menkab, which presents the visual arts as a tool to communicate ideas and disseminate the scientific knowledge, by giving the chance to build three dimensional models of animals of the Marine Protected Area.

It is precisely this combination of visual arts and science that represents one of the strengths of this event, where the sea is the crossroad between science and tradition and its ability to join people of different cultures, ages and experiences is reflected in the heterogeneity of the events in the calendar. The enhancement of the territory and the communication of science and love for the sea through various modes of expression represent the ultimate goal of the festival, which, in its first edition, looks very promising, with a swirl of events not to be missed.
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Up and down in trough Monferrato’s hills between sport and the environment

by Eleonora Anello

On 14 and 15 May 2011 will take place in Casale Monferrato (North Italy) the Ecolimpiadi, sporting event that unites the various disciplines and promotes the respect and the discovery of the environment.

The heart of the rich event, conceived and organized by the cultural association Argo in collaboration with the Municipality, with the economic contribution of the Ministry of Youth, will be the competitions of the four selected disciplines, that are appropriate to the territory: canoe, running, equitation and mountain biking. The canoe races and horse riding will be reserved for more experienced athletes, and everyone can participate to the running and the biking on the banks of the river Po.

«The Ecolimpiadi create value for the territory, the citizens and the companies - Alessandro Lanteri, President of ARGO, says - allowing, in the latter, unique opportunities for communication and promotion, increasing the visibility and associating the values of sport and the ecology corporate brand. This great event hopes to create new marketing vehicles, with a strong participatory and emotional potential, to achieve strategic targets».

In the same idea to the Municipality administration. «The Ecolimpiadi - Federico Riboldi, Councillor of Youth, says - pursue the promotion of the area through the open air sporting activities, combined with moments of games and aggregation. It can offer both the resident and the tourist a direct experience of the territory with high added value. In this way, we intend to improve the image of the area, encouraging the development of sustainable tourism and stimulating the new business sector of the 'green economy'».


Numerous side events strictly ecological and sustainable that will accompany the races will conclude with the planting of trees to offset the unavoidable CO2 emissions.

A lot of news. Like for example, the presence of canoes along the river Po and the choice of path of the ecological running through a vote that will take place on the Internet, between a flat path along the Po and another more adventurous in the hills.

A restaurant area will be active and will offer local delicacies made with fresh seasonal and at zero miles products, accompanied by the famous wines of the Monferrato and the craft beer. Water dispenser will also be available in order to produce less waste; all will be served up in ecological dishes to throw in the right containers for the separate waste collection.

Also all the stands of eco-village on Piazza Castello will be sustainable. Here there will be held environmental awareness actions. There will be handled outside a gym where there will be courses in aero boxing, step soft, slim spin and power yoga and where will be presented the current more environmentally friendly sport: the ultimate frisbee. And more: a football tournament at 5 in the inflatable field, carriage rides and sports massages. Live music, shows and entertainment with DJ. Events for kids with exhibitions, performances, creative courses, outdoor games for a full exploitation of embodiment.

The entries in competitions are still open. To participate, you can fill out the form on this website www.ecolimpiadi.it, while you can keep up on Facebook event page. So the Monferrato area tries to go beyond the Eternit story.
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ARK: the new fully eco-sustainable hotel… floating

by Francesca De Matteis

It has a charming, is a technological marvel and is completely environmentally friendly: it is the most modern and ecological hotel, which has been heard, the ARK.

The abrupt and increasingly important climate change as the global warming and rising sea levels are the reasons that prompted the Russian architect Alexander Remizov, in collaboration with the German engineering company and the scientist in Moscow Lev Britvin, to design a project so ambitious and innovative.

The building, completely self-sufficient thanks to a system of generators for wind and solar energy, is uniquely shaped dome, «Its unique structure promotes the formation of air turbulence - reports Remizov - strengthening the work of wind turbines and promotes the accumulation of hot air at the top of the building. This heat will be turned into other types of energy to be collected even in the heat storage units».

The hotel was designed in order to accommodate about 10,000 people and provides an extension of 14,000 square meters. What is striking about this building, in addition to recyclable materials used, such as wood and plastic EFTE high strength, is the speed of creation: a building of this type may in fact be realized, according to its creator, in truly record time, 3 or 4 months at most.

It has also being foreseen a floating "version" thanks to a special honeycomb-shaped hull that allows the water line and at the same time exploit the heat of the water. It will allow us to survive the natural disasters caused by climate change.

The tourism sector, through spectacular and futuristic buildings as Ark, can help people to reflect on certain aspects related to renewable energy and the environment, leading to undertake more sustainable lifestyles, thanks to special and evocative forms of interaction. At the moment the project is just an idea. Expect generous donors! More...

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Awareness campaign: here is new objective by REEMA

by Valeria Rocca

A handbook to environmental awareness in the mountain resort, winter sport paradise.
This is the novelty of the winter season 2010-2011, proposed by REEMA, the alpine network that deals with enviromental education.

Under the coordination of Gwladys Mathieu and Isabelle Roux, the REEMA’s assistants think up with this guide as a handbook not just for tourists, but for all who live and work in places resorts, the so-called local actors.

The project is an invitation for insiders to begin to design and implement projects of environmental awareness in the winter resorts, where they work.

The guide encourages the initiative and explains, a simple and straightforward, how to become promoters of a project.

The objectives to realise a campaign for environmental education, must be multiple.
First, we must act in a collective context, where all actors act in synergy to achieve a single objective.

Secondly, you need to raise awareness on both the natural and cultural heritage of the mountain and, above all, we must work for sustainable development at high altitude, demonstrating the real possibility of success.

Space to some specific cases presented to give practical information to those who want to challenge themselves in the implementation of an environmental education campaign.
So this is a guide written by local actors to other actors, it emphasizes how important is to get good results from what you know.

In short, a wealth of information based on local experiences, that have as protagonists mainly the associations devoted to environmental protection.
The guide, in French, can be free downloaded from the website.

Here you can find all the detailed information. Happy reading! More...

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Tips for a sustainable Christmas

by Paolo Ghiga

Let's face it, as much as we hope to conceal and deny: every year from the early days of December, starts the countdown to Christmas shopping. Planning the first patrol, the comparisons, we live to reach the inexorable indecision, often, real marathons at the last minute, exhausting every point of view.
If we wanted to go further, in fact, we could perform the ritual of cadeau (giving a gift of) an eye on our beloved planet: for example, how about donating a tree? BosCO2, an initiative promoted by Legambiente, has as main objective to promote work by raising awareness of the environment, taking advantage of the holiday season. This is a particular forest, consisting of all plants donated for Christmas, which provides practical support to environmental protection through a personal contribution of 40 €, to ensure that a loved one receives the gift of an environmentally friendly greeting card, and can also be used as decoration.
Of course this ticket information characterizing the tree object of gift, which will be also have a specified nature area where it will be planted. It will also be possible to know the amount of carbon dioxide that the tree will help to compensate during its growth. The initiative seeks to repopulate Giussago Park and Lacchiarella (Lombardy).

If you want something more "tangible" by donating, why not move your attention to high tech gifts, but strictly green? The gift Green is a recycled product or product with recycled items, which uses natural energy or helps to conserve energy. There are multiple benefits: it can make the person who receives it happy, will undoubtedly be good for the environment and can be a great way to raise awareness among our friends for sustainable development.
Here are some examples: you go from a Christmas Wreath solar-powered, equipped with LEDs allowing energy savings, to a wall clock for natural energy: it is powered by electricity created by reaction, from copper and zinc from lemons. This is a design object designed by the prestigious Studio Anglo-French "Anna Gram", exhibited in numerous international art galleries.

If the persons to whom you want to make a gift to have a garden, why not opt for a splendid natural chair in grass? Some will require a minimum of time and care but the set including seeds, water, and ... patience seems intended, after the chair has taken shape, to give away great moments relaxing to the beneficiary.

Of course, the ideas aren't limited to these: there are safe and ecological bottles, water clocks, eco-notebook for zero impact, rain-fed earrings, table calendars on recycled material, with ecological and non-toxic colors for children, in short, just a search with patience and an idea surely will conquer.

If none of these tips there have excited you, why not try giving away a holiday to persons to whom we wish? Easy you say, just choose a tour operator that offers guarantees, devote at least one hour to choose a location, pull out the paper credit and voilà, you're done. And appearance purely ecological, all speeches on recycling and reuse? If you have been thinking of the travel agency you did wrong: there is a more sustainable way, through the barter. Already, if you have objects of any kind (from books, comics, via CDS, clothing, computers, etc.) which might deprive you, well you can exchange them with a stay for one or more persons, with various levels of comfort depending on the objects involved in barter.
Think about it, with the same amount of material, already produced at the time, simply circulating without further packaging, which now constitute a gift added CO2 production, etc. You can make someone happy without impacting heavily on the environment. The Week of Barter, which took place from 14 to 20 November promotes this idea, so why not also mention it at the upcoming Christmas? Good Ecological Christmas to all!
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“Pop Heart - a heart for the mountains”: an innovative project to learn to love the mountains near and far

by Valeria Rocca

A non-conventional graphic linked to the world of pop art and a great love: the mountains.
These are the key points of the environmental communication campaign "PopHeart - A heart for the mountains" built by ARPAV, a regional agency for the prevention and environmental protection of the Veneto, under the project european DOCUP Objective 2 - years 2000-2006.
The aim of the campaign, created in 2006, but which is still very topical, is to raise awareness among citizens and tourists to gain a greater understanding of the distinctive features of the mountain environment, its culture and its traditions.

As explains Paola Salmaso, Head of Prevention and Environmental Communication in the Veneto Region, who has responded to some questions, "the campaign aimed to develop two main themes: "that environmental protection is to say that the mountain tourists adopt environmentally friendly behaviours, paying particular attention not to make the visit one of environmental contamination. Specifically, the topics discussed were the flora, fungi, fire, waste, noise, camping, respect and responsibility for the safety and the protection of personnel providing the hiker with simple tips and information on all training, clothing, weather conditions, isolation and equipment.”

Interesting is the choice of communication strategy. Why Pop Art?
"The use of pop art is part of a communications strategy that ARPAV was pursuing for some time, characterized by the use of language and graphics which are not exactly conventional but can stimulate emotions and ideas that support the memory the message. Following the inspiration dictated by the slogan, the campaign is developed drawing on the creative and artistic concepts that distinguish pop art: Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein until you get to Keith Haring. The same campaign logo plays a stylistic feature typical of the poetics of Warhol: a heart repeated serial and veered into three panes of colored leaves space in the fourth frame to integrate within a stylized mountain graphic name and slogan of the campaign".

Can you explain what objectives have been decided to reach this decision?
"The overall objective of the communication campaign on education for mountain has been to encourage the citizens and tourists in critical reflections about their own behaviour and in particular to raise their awareness on issues of environmental protection and the personal safety. The overall objective of the campaign was to guide people to greater awareness and a better relationship with the mountains, with special attention to the parks located in the Region of Veneto, recipients of this project can be considered for all those with different interests and motivations who are going to the mountains".

Has there been a structured communication campaign for this project?
"The project has been produced: a booklet, brochure paper with a small compact size which contains a summary of the contents of the campaign, distributed at public events and demonstrations, sent to all those who have applied for and downloaded from the website Internet Agency, two short pieces of four minutes the one about using photography, animation and video, one dedicated to the environment (ECO) and the other on the topic of safety (SAFE) also collected in a DVD distributed shipped and is now visible on the site ARPAV; a section of the website dedicated to ARPAV deepen the contents of the campaign and organized multi-purpose interface to interact easily and a bandana, like gadgets. The shorts have also participated in the 63rd International Film Festival in Fedic Forum "The Future of Copyright Short - The Short for a sustainable future. The whole campaign was carried out in two languages: Italian and English." More...

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Sustainable Hilton

by Alessandro Ferrua

Even grand hotels are becoming environmentally friendly, using small steps directed to the service for its customers and to internal staff, present in the offices of the various hotel of the chain. This shows the Hilton Hotel in Milan, during the European Week for Waste Reduction, held some little actions, very interesting.

«It’s since 2007 with the program “We Care” at European level that Hilton implements coordination for sustainable activities. This year the program is global and is called Lightstay» says Monica Cervio, Personal Assistant of Ilio Rodoni, General Director of the hotel.
«All actions have been communicated to the hotel staff during a meeting aimed at all employees in which we gave a preview. Like the day without paper “Paperless Day”, we have alerted our colleagues on November 23 requesting that in the offices they tried to avoid the use paper. 44 quilts were given to the Salesians of Don Bosco in Milan and beds and mattresses to the company “Dona Con Amore” ONLUS. For our customers, on the reception desk we placed a digital frame with information about the European Week for Waste Reduction and jam jars containing a parchment reused with 10 tips for reducing waste, both in Italian and English».

But there’s more, in fact Dr. Cervio adds that «there are other international activities that we have participated actively involving customers and staff: Earth Hour, where for 60 minutes we turned off the lights or down where necessary, Earth Day, which is a world day of the ground during which they were offered the seeds of flowers and Car Free Day (a day without a car). Hilton Milan, thanks to its continued contribution to the environment, two years ago won a bicycle for each of his employee» and in this case it was just a regional competition sponsored by the Hilton company.

To highlight the absence of classical individually packaged disposable products for its customers, «indeed, at the breakfast buffet we have introduced the use of dispensers for cereals, fruit juices and coffee, laundry service, our team use dispenser for detergents and not individual bottles. In addition, employees have introduced a dispenser for water» concludes Dr. Cervio.

The awareness of the company also continues outside the European Week for Waste Reduction, as well as costant and creative efforts continue to reduce the impacts of any human activity on the environment. More...

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Happy summer holidays!

See you on September.

The Editorial staff of Envi.info More...

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2010 World Cup South Africa: true model of eco sustainability?

by Valeria Rocca

Time of World Cup and South Africa is the protagonist. The largest football event of the season 2010 has started and while the fans support their teams at the rhythm of vuvuzela, there is who questions whether the great event over that memorable (is the first time that is hosted by an African country) will also eco.

By analysing the estimates made by the experts, the World Cup in South Africa are likely to have an impact change devastating with a high risk of emissions of carbon levels eight times higher than in the last World Cup in Germany.

In order to prevent this terrible forecast, South Africa has formulated a plan of action called the "Green goal Action Plan 2010". In collaboration with the UNEP (United Nations environment programme), with the GEF (Global environment facility) and with the DEA (South African Department of project) were presented three large projects aimed to the development of renewable energies, the development of responsible tourism and the reduction of emissions of carbon.

In the area of renewable energy the cities that host the games of the World Cup (Pretoria, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Polokwane, Rustenburg and Bloemfontein) are equipped with a public street-lamps, traffic lights and billboards fed to solar energy to decrease production of coal-fired plants.

About the development of responsible tourism the organizers have distributed a "passport" of 32 pages in which there are some tips and information on green responsible tourism. The brochure is also available from the site greenpassport.co.za. A report among the fans arrived in South Africa has shown, however, the lack of knowledge of the project: in fact only a quarter of fans is aware of the project "green goal".

Last, but not least, they worked to maintain control the emission of carbon. By involving some National teams, included Italy, is born the project "carbon footprint" to neutralize the co2 derived from long-haul flights. According to the UNEP thanks to the cooperation of these 11 teams estimated reduction around 6,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases. In addition they have encouraged the use of public transport, Taxis ecological and of bicycle paths for the supporter.

Numerous initiatives in support of a fair and responsible model, also from the World.
In Italy the retail Coop has launched a T-shirt of the fair line, in limited edition, with the slogan "Africa for a sustainable world". Who will buy the shirt will contribute to a balanced development and will support the rights of African workers.

In short on the paper it seems that this World Cup intends to give aid to South Africa to become an example of Ecosustainability.

The hope is that the benefits are real for all and that is not again another media campaign that shows to the world a South Africa that doesn’t exist. More...

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The waste collection at resort

by Eleonora Anello

Proper environmental communication strategy is a basic ingredients for the success of all campaigns to strengthen the waste collection. But the communicative aspects play a more important role when working in turistic areas such as the coastal ones, where there are large fluctuations in population and one of the main target consists of less receptive people (they stop for a short time and are on vacation), perhaps foreign or otherwise accustomed to different methods of sorting. In these cases a special attention, is necessary even exploiting marine communication channels such as resorts, hotels and residences.

Achieving excellent and affordable results is possible as proved by ERICA soc. coop. environment and Alderman of the City of Pietra Ligure (SV) who are organizing a conference Wednesday, June 23, entitled "The collection in touristic seaside areas. Good national experiences in comparison" to be held at the Multipurpose Hall of the town center, Via Nino Bixio.
After the Mayor’s greetings, Luigi De Vincenzi, from 9 to 13 experts and public administrators, who have already successfully experienced the introduction of virtuosos separate collection systems in their territories characterised by significant changes in population according to the touristic seasons, will discuss about strategies.

Renata Briano, the environment commissioner of the Liguria Region, and Paul Marson, the environment commissioner of the Province of Savona will take the word. Roberto Cavallo, President of ERICA and European expert, will illustrate an introductory report on the recent acknowledgment in Italy of the European Directive 98/2008/CE on the integrated waste management system.

Then the programme continues with a round table. Protagonists will be the mayors of four towns located in seaside touristic areas of different Italian regions whose own waste management systems are particularly good: Anacapri (in Campania region 72% collection), San Vito Lo Capo (in Sicily, 54% collection), Senigallia (in Marche, 60% collection) and Pietra Ligure (in Liguria 60.5%).

Following interventions: Antonio Springs (Certiquality) on waste management within the Environmental Management Systems; Attilio Tornavacca (Exp) strategies for reducing waste and optimal management of differentiated and Massimo Michelini (Federambiente) on the experience collection of small islands.
After a general discussion with the public, Luca Piatto of CONAI will conclude the meeting.

At the end, to all participants will be offered an aperitif.
For information, subscriptions and credits you can e-mail francescorasero@cooperica.it. More...

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I go on eco-holiday: camping and ecological solutions for a respectful holiday

by Annalisa Audino

It is time of holiday: since some months catalogues and brochures describe dreamed destinations inducing everyone to pack the suitcases. In reality the economic crisis that has gotten depressed on Europe has modified a lot the habits of Italian people, especially if they have children. Probably, to say the truth, a part of people won't go on holidays, but they will be satisfied of a daily trip or of the simple peace that you can find when you can be at home. A part of population instead, being able to afford holidays, has had to abdicate hotel and offers total relax because of the excessive expenses, even rediscovering the camping and surely provoking an unexpected boom of bookings.
The curious thing however it is the new formality of fruition of the camping, that become a sort of adventurous luxury lived under the tents. There are naturally two schools of thought: a very more intransigent and respectful one about the surrounding nature and another one more indulgent and less careful, probably more voted to economic game.

«And it’s important not to confuse the luxury with the quality - explains Catherine Granier de Cassagnac, member of the first school of thought - one absolutely is not ecological, the other one is. There are even people who would want the air conditioning in the tents: that’s impossible! If you go on holiday in a place you must respect the place and so if you built something, this must be consistent with the landscape, or rather with the types of plants, bushes, flowers, paths or sand».

On You Tube some examples of this new frontier of the camping are found: wooden bases that mend from the damp of the ground and on which to extend deprived ropes of pickets, fixed toilet, blocks kitchen and furnishings and comforting services as in the hotel. Also in Italy it is initiated this echo-chic fashion: among the others, a firm in Siena is launching in this new holiday bio-diversity for the tours Belgian operator of the Selecamp, that equips campings all around Europe.

Surely the attention to the environment, also as it regards the construction of careful campings to the environmental demands, is becoming not only a fashion, but also a necessity. «To dismantle an old trailer or to unswathe a mobil-home, builds once with the materials of - Jean Guy Amat explains, deputy president of the Chamber of Commerce of Béziers, center of the tourism of the French southwest - cost, according to the dimensions, from 500 to 1,500 euro. Eliminating completely the plastics together with all of that is not biodegradable and using only wood, glass, zinc, steel and iron, it will be more convenient to build and/or to demolish, but above all the environment will respect him».

And also in holiday we are not exempt from our duties of civil citizens and intents to safeguard the world. They are more rather always the proposals of particular agencies (Viaggiemiraggi, Coopi, Osservatorio Balcani, Viaggisolidali) for those people that, with an eye to the budget and one to the environment and the cultural respect, want a perfect holiday under all the points of view. The offers vary from the stays in the South of the world entertained by ONG to the community tourism of knowledge or to theme as the anthropological photo and the ecoturism. Sticking to the offers equitable you contribute to the development of the local economy, you live in narrow contact with the community of the place and limiting the damages of the tourism of mass. For the one who has great abilities of adaptation it is recommended the community tourism: a holiday devoted to experiment the uses and the customs of the visited community and where it can happen to sleep on the ground or to take water from wells, the all respecting the Paper of Lanzarote, the code for a sustainable tourism and the world Code of ethics of the tourism, compiled by members of the World Organization of Tourism.

If by now you have booked a traditional trip, don’t worry: the sustainable tourism is also made of small gestures and small adroitness inserted in a traditional holiday. Fundamental rules? You travel in point of feet, tasting the differences, making some unforeseen event of the interesting variations to the trip and leaving the things as you find them. This is a good way to start! More...

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Operation beach clean

by Eleonora Anello

Restyling of image for Rosolina Mare (Italy) due to environmental communication campaign to introduce for the summer 2010, the collection of waste even on beaches. “La raccolta differenziata non va in vacanza”, (The collection does not go on holiday), strongly qualifying project of the Rosolina coast promoted by the City of Rosolina, the Consortium of waste disposal, the company Ecogest Polesine and the Province of Rovigo, in practice requires the installation of "ecopoints" mini ecological islands for proper disposal of waste, located on the beach and easily identifiable by means of flags, which will be managed directly from the bathhouses, actively involved in the initiative both in terms of customer awareness that the injection in the bins located on the waterfront. «The many tourists who flock to our beaches, are and own the real crux of our communicative action -says Giovanni Giribuola, president of Ecogest, the company that handles waste disposal- Rosolina-citizens, as throughout the province of Rovigo, already differentiated waste in their homes. The new summer 2010 is the adoption of correct behaviour on the beach even by those who do not habitually live in our town».

«The good habits do not have to miss a holiday -states Federico Avanzi, Environmental Assessor of the Venetian city- in mid-June will start the second phase of our communicative action that providing more information for tour operators, owners of second homes and all tourists in general. The material will be distributed in four languages to give clear guidance on the correct disposal of waste varies from country to country. Always for tourists, there are educational games especially for children and, in general the presence of massive summer events taking place across the Po Delta, through information stands, a short-video and animation».

If in Rosolina lifeguards have to take care of beaches, for the abandoned coasts, also this year, Legambiente organized "Clean Up the Med”. As usual, the last weekend of May saw hundreds of volunteers involved with the task of liberating the waste entire coastlines, riverbanks and lake shores of the whole Mediterranean area, one of the 25 most important corners of biodiversity of the planet. In Italy among butts, cans and plastic bags, 50 tons of waste were collected. With the support of Unipol Financial Group, Legambiente through its local clubs, has distributed 20,000 reusable canvas shopping bag, available from Coop Italia and about 100,000 cigarette butts ashtray provided by Bic.

From a preventive action to a remedial action such as that promoted by Legambiente that with a concrete gesture is directed at government to invest more energy to control and defend the territory from abuse and lawlessness by allocating more resources to the separate waste collection and promotion of sustainable tourism. Which campaign will raise people to respect the sea? The age-old dilemma is always the same: to prevent or to treat? More...

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A beach of crosses for the victims of oil

by Annalisa Audino

More than one month that occured the dreadful accident on the occasion of Earth Day to liners Deepwater Horizon of Transocean Ltd, caused by the company British Petroleum and deployed in the Gulf of Mexico: a slick extended far beyond the 160 km in front for 70 amplitude widening slowly the islands of Candles, environmental paradise off the Louisiana, and not only.
The concern for the consequences of the disaster is growing gradually and, in addition to the deaths of animals, the human victims and marine pollution and air, neighbouring the coasts are paying seriously the consequences of enlargement blot.

In tragedy, the advantage is that the world population is constantly informed, through television news and bulletins, on the activities of containment, for now useless: If oil will be prodded the Louisiana swamps, clean it will be virtually impossible, causing an incalculable disaster for nature reserves that humanity must absolutely discover. What is certain is that if the Deepwater Horizon was exploded in the Niger Delta, rather than off the coast of Louisiana, political and economic powers would be much less worried: «Incidents such this one in our country – told the Guardian writer of Ogoni Ben Ikari-ethnicity - occur every day, the difference is that no one speaks ».

In any case, even the civilian population remains helpless to watch: two cooperatives of Louisiana shrimp fishermen have begun a class action against oil platform managers and requested damages for at least 5 billion dollars.

At Grand Isle there was instead a symbolic Memorial Day to remember not the military victims, but the victims of this epochal environmental disaster. A hundred white crosses were raised on the beach, marked by the names of species killed by oil and by the same tasks that those beaches will no longer host: dolphins, trout, oysters as walks, lots of volleyball, and much more. «We want to send a clear message – said Patrick Shay, 43 years old and owner of a local restaurant – explaining that prevented us from fully live and use our world and our resources. Disappeared entirely. We have been abandoned».

Meanwhile, every hour, 33 thousand gallons of oil spill in the ocean, polluting further beaches and waters of the Gulf, as well as blocking inexorably all activities on the coast.

«If the British Petroleum not will give us the money to compensate our losses – says Jim King, 63 years old, historical owner of a campground and a kayak rental for the zone – there will be addressed in the streets: tourism, the real estate market, fisheries, everything was inexorably arrested and we don't know if anything would return to work. We are not financially motivated, we are well aware that the ecological damage is even more serious, but are jeopardising our existence ocn their financial calculations».

Also the State of Florida has banned fisheries and is suffering a significant damage to local tourist market, since all areas affected live thanks to millions of people every year they go on holiday on those beaches.

And who has not been directly affected, but knows the danger that hovers over the platforms, begins to worry: even if in Italy not discussed much, a dozen oil platforms are in use, a few miles from our shores. For now the Ministry of economic development has provided urgent controls and suspended all new permissions to drilling in Italian waters. The interests of oil giants are many especially in southern Italy: in Sicily for example the interest of Shell for possible new oilfield off the Egadi Islands (where it could be the biggest Italian field) joins the regasification terminal that should be built in the industrial area of Syracuse. However, in the archipelago is the marine reserve of the Egadi Islands, one of the largest in Europe, with a unique natural heritage.

Deepwater Horizon is going to teach us something? More...

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