Il mare in montagna

In Scotland, I took part in a course in which I was carrying out a scientific project based on marine resources with primary school kids in Cirié, Italy. I wanted to try and bring the ocean to my town, and the teachers agreed to take me on board to design a science-based bundle of classes I could deliver from home. This experience enriched me and made me want to teach about the ocean to my whole community, not only children. Problems related to climate change are often trivialised and people living in cities far from the sea wrongly believe they are not affected by issues regarding the global ocean. My goal is to make my small-town community realised how connected we all are with the ocean, despite living in Piemonte, a region which literally translates to “at the feet of the mountain”. Such workshops do not have to have a specific duration but are more thought as an open conversation in which the importance of the ocean is explained in a relatable manner, with fun and engaging workshops, video materials and visual arts. For now, my idea is to have a summer night event, to which many can participate and find something they can enjoy. The activities are thought to be engaging for all ages and to address climatic issues in a clear and direct way, especially to local policymakers who hold the power to change the climate narrative. My ultimate aim is to build trust and connections within the community in order to have long-lasting commitment to our oceans.