by InTrieste
Filippo Giorgi, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning climate scientist, believes that the scientific community has failed in one critical area: communication. Now, he is turning to young people to change that.
Giorgi, who shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize as part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is spearheading “Generazione Planet,” an initiative aimed at mobilizing young people to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time — the future of the planet.
The project offers five €5,000 scholarships to applicants between 18 and 30 years old who can propose innovative ways to communicate environmental issues. In collaboration with BCC Venezia Giulia, the initiative hopes to inspire fresh and creative approaches to the climate conversation, particularly those that resonate with younger generations.
“We aim to directly engage young people to communicate environmental issues to their peers,” Giorgi told reporters. “The scientific community may be falling short when it comes to communication, and that’s where this initiative steps in.”
Open until November 15, the competition welcomes a range of communication forms, from visual arts and theater to poetry, video, and multimedia projects. What matters most, says Giorgi, is that the proposals break away from traditional formats like conferences, offering something “innovative, highly creative, and different.”
The selected projects, to be announced on December 15, must be completed by April 30, 2025. Winners will have the opportunity to showcase their work at a special event next June.
For Giorgi, the stakes couldn’t be higher. “We’re facing a planetary crisis,” he said. “And the younger generation is going to be at the forefront of finding and communicating the solutions.”
The “Generazione Planet” initiative represents a growing global movement to bring youth into the conversation on climate change, as scientists and policymakers alike recognize the need for new voices in a rapidly changing world.
How to Apply
Young people between 18 and 30 can submit proposals for the scholarships via the initiative’s website, www.generazioneplanet.it. The deadline for applications is November 15, 2024.
