Italy’s hot summer burns Giorgia Meloni

Italy's hot summer burns Giorgia Meloni

Italy’s Climate Quandary: The Tug-of-War Between Climate Scepticism and Urgent Action

Andrea Giambruno, a presenter for the TV network founded by the late Silvio Berlusconi, sparked controversy when he dismissed climate change concerns on his daily program, even though he is the partner of Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. Italy has been hard hit by extreme weather events this year, including wildfires, hailstorms, and tornadoes. However, climate scepticism is prevalent among Meloni’s voters, presenting her with an electoral dilemma. A survey conducted last year revealed that 82% of Italians believe that climate change is man-made, the highest percentage among European countries surveyed.

It remains uncertain whether Meloni shares her partner’s attitude towards climate change. In a subsequent video message, she acknowledged the increasing frequency of climate-related emergencies but failed to explicitly state the cause. Meloni emphasized the importance of “safeguarding the territory” and announced a hydro-geological plan to prevent floods, landslides, and coastal erosion. Ironically, her government then revealed plans to delay the implementation of this scheme, despite earmarking €1.3 billion for it as part of Italy’s post-pandemic recovery program.

Nicola Procaccini, the head of the energy and environmental department of Meloni’s party, the Brothers of Italy (FdI), denies that the party contains climate change deniers. However, he does recognize some debate over the extent to which human activity contributes to climate change. Procaccini explains that the FdI’s stance is influenced by Catholicism and the British philosopher Roger Scruton, promoting the concept of humankind as the “stewards of creation.” The party believes this view clashes with left-wing environmentalist thinking, which seeks to exclude humans from nature. Consequently, the FdI advocates for a gradual transition and adaptation, allowing time for the development of new mitigation technologies.

Despite Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s promotion of a national adaptation plan, progress seems to have stalled. The government’s own energy and climate plan, submitted to the EU Commission in July, includes smaller emission reduction targets but more ambitious goals for renewable energy compared to the previous plan in 2020. The FdI’s electoral manifesto also supports renewable energy, aiming to reduce Italy’s dependence on energy imports.

Within the government coalition, conflicting positions on climate change exist. Lucio Malan, the FdI’s chief whip in the Senate, has expressed doubts about the reality of global warming, citing a winter snowfall in Sicily as evidence. In contrast, Luca Zaia, the governor of the Veneto region and a prominent member of the Northern League, which is allied with the Brothers in the government, staunchly rejects any denial of climate change, recognizing the risks it poses.

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Giorgia Meloni’s government made significant changes to ministry titles, renaming the ministry for ecological transition to the ministry of the environment and energy security, and altering the infrastructure ministry’s name from “sustainable mobility” to “transport.” This shift in nomenclature suggests a potential shift in priorities within the government.

Two significant factors contribute to the prevalence of climate denial among Italy’s conservatives. Firstly, the media landscape plays a crucial role, with climate scepticism being widespread, particularly on television channels. Mediaset, established by Berlusconi, operates three major channels, and the remaining three are publicly owned but increasingly influenced by the government. Secondly, economic factors also play a role. While many Italian companies have embraced climate-friendly initiatives and witnessed growth, others are resistant to change and vocal in expressing their opposition. This vocal opposition holds greater sway in a right-wing government like Meloni’s.

Perhaps one of the most poignant moments reflecting the impact of climate change on public sentiment occurred at a recent film festival in southern Italy. A young woman expressed her uncertainty about bringing children into a world with such an uncertain future to the environment minister, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin. The minister, visibly moved, assured her that he has a duty to future generations. However, he also mentioned having “the power of doubt” before responding, hinting at the challenges faced in reconciling political realities with climate action.

Italy finds itself at a crossroads, with a majority of its population understanding the urgency of addressing climate change. However, the intersection of political dynamics, media influence, and economic factors complicates efforts to implement comprehensive climate policies. Striking a delicate balance between public sentiment, political considerations, and vital environmental action is the key to Italy’s ability to navigate this climate quandary effectively.