Different looks, same love for the Planet

Everyone views the world through their unique perspective. Even those striving to steer humanity away from its path toward self-destruction approach this mission with varying styles and arguments, shaped by their upbringing, passions, surroundings, and all the elements that constitute their lives. In this context, we encounter two authors: Fabrizio Carbone and Irene Ivoi. Through their books and distinct worldviews, they offer us two different approaches to creating new opportunities for both our species and the planet we call home.

Starting with these books and those we will recommend to you in June, our association, EARTH GARDENERS APS, in collaboration with the MOS (Sardinian Homosexual Movement), has created a series titled Libri e idee per cambiare (Books and Ideas for Change). This initiative consists of ten events, inspired by works written by esteemed authors and aimed to foster awareness and reflection on key topics from the Agenda 2030.

The first group of four events will spotlight Fabrizio Carbone’s book “Lascia la porta socchiusa” (Leave the door ajar) and Goal 15 of the 2030 Agenda Life on Earth.

The first meeting Non smettere di guardare oltre (Don’t Stop Looking Beyond) will be hosted by MEM (Mediateca del Mediterraneo) in Cagliari on Tuesday, May 13, at 5:00 PM. The author will be joined by Ugo Bressanello, President of the Domus de Luna Foundation, painter Mariano Chelo, and wildlife artist Marco Preziosi. I will personally present this event.

The second event Raccontare con la penna e il pennello (Telling with the Pen and the Brush), will be held at the Liceo Artistico “Carlo Contini” in Oristano on Wednesday, May 14, at 11:00 AM. The author will be welcomed by Sabrina Oppo, head of cultural activities at the Liceo Artistico “Carlo Contini,” and Marco Preziosi. Francesca Arca, journalist and director of the magazine Ieri, Oggi, Domani, will lead the meeting.

The third meeting Leggere ricordi e passioni (Reading Memories and Passions), will take place at the Sassari Municipal Library on Thursday, May 15, at 6:00 PM. Special guests include actress Michèle Kramers and Puccio Savioli, actor, visual artist, and set designer. Marco Preziosi will participate in the discussion alongside the author. The event will be hosted by Francesca Arca.

The final meeting Guardare il mondo con occhi diversi (Looking at the World with Different Eyes), will be held at the stunning Spazio Ilisso in Nuoro on Friday, May 16, at 5:30 PM. Naturalist photographer Domenico Ruiu and Marco Preziosi will engage in a discussion with the author. The event will be presented by Giacomo Mameli, journalist and writer.

For those who don’t know him, I would like to remind you that Fabrizio Carbone is one of the pioneers of Italian environmentalism and was among the leaders of LIPU for many years. A journalist for La Stampa, he has always dealt with nature and protection.
Knight of the White Rose of Finland and Ambassador of Michelangelo Pistoletto’s Third Paradise, he defines himself, half-seriously and half-jokingly, as “a painter forever, a failed archaeologist, a journalist for a living, a documentary maker, a writer and a poet for passion, an environmentalist for a possible future”.
In Lascia la porta socchiusa, through the depth of his verses and his splendid drawings, he expresses all his love for the living, hopes, disappointments, and doubts for the future of the Planet. A book rich in content, a mirror of the intense life of a man in whom the love of nature was the thread with which he wove his events. The volume is introduced by the poet Marina Petrillo.

The second series of meetings will begin with La cerniera (The zipper) by Irene Ivoi, and will offer numerous insights into Goal 12 of the 2030 Agenda: Responsible Consumption and Production.

On Tuesday, May 27, at 5:00 PM, the first meeting, titled Spostarsi in modo attivo (Moving actively), will be held at one of the rooms of the MEM in Cagliari. Yuri Marcialis, Councilor for Mobility, Urban Infrastructure, and Management of Municipal Offices in Cagliari, will engage in a discussion with the author. The event will be moderated by journalist Cristiano Sanna Martini.

On Wednesday, May 28, at 6:00 PM, the University Library of Sassari will host the second meeting. The author will converse with Pierluigi Salis, Councilor for Ecological Transition, Safeguarding of the Territory, and Urban Décor for the Municipality of Sassari. The discussion, titled Energy Consumption: How Much Progress to Make Even with a Gentle Push, will be moderated by Francesca Arca.

The third and final event, Gli attori della spinta gentile: dialogo tra pubblico e private (The Actors of the Gentle Push: Dialogue Between Public and Private), will take place on Thursday, May 29, at 5:30 PM at the Cultural Services Centre in Oristano. The discussion will focus on the “gentle push”, featuring the author, Giuseppe Pinna, Director of the Province of Oristano, and Daniele Cazzaniga, Commercial Director of Cartotecnica Ondulor in Oristano. Journalist Francesca Arca will once again lead the conversation.

Designer, researcher and communicator for sustainability and circular economy for thirty years, Irene Ivoi develops the concept of “gentle push” (or nudge), while delving into the design of behaviors, convinced that an aware citizen is much more interesting than an obligated one. Tedx speaker, writes on various networks, collaborates with public and private organizations, and is a member of the Iuav – Futuro Continuo study center.

The author views The zipper as a tool that bridges the gap between who we aspire to be and who we truly are, recognizing that our actions often misalign with our desires. This book serves as a guide to the subtle art of nudging, offering insights into biases, heuristics, and the key elements needed to envision and effortlessly make better choices.

It presents a thoughtful exploration of inspirations, grounded in a form of social technology that demands no financial resources, material, or energy—just the bravery to embrace new ideas and the curiosity to learn from others.

We invite all our readers to participate in the interesting reviews that will suggest the two books that we recommend as stimulating readings for May.

Author: Anna Lacci is a scientific popularizer and expert in environmental education and sustainability and in territory teaching. She is the author of documentaries and naturalistic books, notebooks, and interdisciplinary teaching aids, and multimedia information materials.

Translated by Maria Antonietta Sessa