«We have to start from the food for counteract la climate crisis, real emergency at the basis of migrations, environmental disasters and conflicts. We citizens can make up for the absence of politics and be protagonists of a great collective action». The appeal was launched today by Carlo Petrini, founder of Slow Food, presenting the next edition of to the foreign press Terra Madre Salone del Gusto to be held in Turin from 22 to 26 September to which over 3000 delegates from 150 countries and tens of thousands of visitors are expected in the name of regeneration
Pandemic and War in Ukraine must not make us forget the enormous damage of the lack of ecological conversion
«I am strongly convinced – added Petrini – that the climate crisis is at an irreversible point and that this race will hardly be able to be stopped in the short term, also because the global political system is not sufficiently aware of this state of affairs. We are undertaking one new historical stage, which will last several years, that of ecological transition. The awareness that was growing around these issues was blocked by two events that distracted us all: the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. But we can no longer fail to pay attention to the upheaval that is taking place"
For the founder of Slow, the only opportunity humanity has to mitigate the climate crisis can only come from below, from civil society, from citizens who have to start an ecological conversion, as Pope Francis says, a starting from the daily choices and in this the food has a central role. God Petrini's invitation is to engage in consume less meat, waste less food, eliminate the use of single-use plastic. Therefore, "this paradigm shift becomes fundamental, in this path towards a regeneration that starts from the world of food production to generate a significant impact on the environment, biodiversity, the economy, geopolitics, social justice and gender equality . In a word, to engage in politics every day, with joy, in our daily lives".
Edward Mukiibi: urgent action, the climate crisis is generating conflicts and waves of migration
Strong testimony also came from Edward Mukiibi, 36, agronomist and student of the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo, elected at the head of the Chiocciola movement last July, on the occasion of the last international Slow Food congress.
“I come from one family of small-scale producers in Uganda and I experienced first-hand what this food system has brought about in my country and in various areas of the southern hemisphere. The climate crisis is no longer a myth and by now the scientific bases are more than confirmed, above all it is now clear to everyone that we must react because we see its repercussions in our daily lives. We have seen it in Italy in recent months, but it is now evident in the rest of the world as well. For this we must act immediately, also because the climate crisis is generating conflicts and waves of migration.
It is essential to implement large-scale regenerative and agroecological systems through the work of young people and local communities
As is the case, for example, in eastern Uganda, where in the hot season the communities of shepherds struggle to grab the pastures, which are increasingly scarce and dry. Agricultural production and food are both victims and causes of these phenomena, but it depends on the production approach used. Implement large-scale regenerative and agroecological systems through youth and local community work it can allow us to counter the consequences of the climate crisis, above all to guarantee a sustainable and dignified life not only for the current generation, but also for future ones. This is just a starting point, but let it be clear that we can't wait any longer because perhaps tomorrow it could be too late» concluded the president of Slow Food.
