By Alex Whiting
ASSISI, Italy, Nov 6 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – The small medieval Italian pilgrimage town of Assisi, birthplace of Francis, Catholic patron saint of ecologists, is embarking on a quiet revolution.
Mayor Stefania Proietti, an energy expert, plans to cut carbon emissions 40 percent between now and 2030, and hopes the “city on the hill” will inspire others to change too.
Assisi draws about 6 million visitors each year, including Nobel Peace Prize winners, rock stars, Popes and presidents.
Last month the city committed to shun investments in fossil fuels and shift to greener energies, alongside an international coalition of 40 Catholic organisations.
“The most important thing is (encouraging) people’s belief that adopting a new lifestyle is important. One person’s action will not have much impact (on climate change), but 7 billion actions can change the world,” Proietti said.
Hanging on her office wall is former Pope John Paul II’s proclamation making Francis, a 13th century monk, the patron saint of ecologists, and nearby sits a panda statue – a gift from the World Wildlife Fund.
Taking care of nature “is the Assisi responsibility” she said. “If we have a different message, then we are not (being true) to our history.”
Proietti, who is a professor of energy systems at Rome’s Guglielmo Marconi University, said she faces major challenges bringing about change in the city.
