Ischia is the last event in chronological order. Only good luck won't make other mourners cry. Italy remains at permanent risk due to hydrogeological instability. Seven million people live in dangerous areas in the most evident political "distraction". Not even a week has passed since the Minister of Civil Protection In the Musumeci participated in the workshop "Civil protection and territorial cohesion" where he complained about the failure to adopt the Climate change adaptation plan. That plan, which could protect people and things from disasters like that of Casamicciola, is stuck in Roman drawers. “He has remained in the draft since he was Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and Environment Minister Gian Luca Galletti“ recalls Stefano Ciafani, President of Legambiente. Yet after the 2009 landslide, ISPRA said that in Casamicciola about 60% of the territory and 30% of the population are exposed to a high risk. It is urgent to intervene and it is known to all. In addition to the innocent victims over the past 9 years have been spent more than 13 billion for emergencies weather and climate. An average of 1,48 billion a year to deal with floods, landslides and mudslides.
The Climate Adaptation Plan is essential for prevention
In Ischia, Mount Epomeo came down and fell on an area where there are over 20 illegal constructions. Technicians and experts knew that that area was exposed to all kinds of phenomena, that Ischia is in a volcanic area and that adequate measures had to be taken both centrally and peripherally. In August, the Campania Region adopted a law that favors and encourages relocation of buildings placed in areas at risk of landslides and floods. In the rest of Italy few or many measures are not implemented. You want to check Italy with technologies advanced. But “the plans for the hydrogeological structure elaborated by the Basin Authorities highlight conditions of fragility of the entire national territory worsened by chaotic development and incorrect use of the territory itself. It was built very often in places where geological and geomorphological conditions would not have allowed it,” he explains Lorenzo Benedetto, President of the Study Center of Italian Geologistsi.
Geologists are advising the government on what to do
In a note, geologists advise what to do after the emergency. And as for emergencies Matteo Renzi he recalled that he had set up the Emergency Mission Unit – Italia Sicura- and the governments of Giuseppe Conte they canceled it. Now, after the rescue and the critical phase, it will be important to evaluate the conditions of residual risk, "with dedicated inspections also in relation to the urgent risk reduction interventions to be implemented" he says Archangel Francesco Violo, President of the Council of Geologists. Long-term measures are needed, and Italians must learn to live with risk, because zero risk does not exist.
The role of Municipalities essential for the protection of the territory
A multi-year prevention and management plan must be implemented which includes not only the construction of consolidation works, embankments, etc. but also non-structural actions and interventions. Municipal urban planning it is decisive and must not include amnesties. The time has come, the experts say (but it was already said in September with the tragedy of the Marche), to carry out serious maintenance of the territory by providing economic incentives also for private individuals who carry out work directly. The Meloni government has every opportunity to change register.
