interviews: Sophie Renhuldt
A consortium of leading figures convened to unveil a groundbreaking publication on quantitative sustainability in Trieste, hosted by prestigious publisher Springer, drew luminaries from academia, government, and industry, underscoring the urgency of addressing the global challenge of sustainability in today’s complex landscape.
The conference, held on Thursday, March 7th at 11 a.m., featured a distinguished panel including Roberto Dipiazza, Mayor of the Municipality of Trieste, Nicola Casagli, President of OGS and lead editor of the publication, Stefano Fantoni, representing FIT and also serving as an editor of the publication, along with other notable authors and contributors. Among the esteemed attendees was Vittorio Torbianelli, Secretary General of the Eastern Adriatic Sea Port Authority.
Against the backdrop of the Anthropocene era, characterized by escalating human activity and its consequential impact on the planet, speakers underscored the imperative for interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing sustainability challenges. Mayor Roberto Dipiazza, reflecting on personal childhood experiences, emphasized the need for pragmatic solutions devoid of ideological divides.
Nicola Casagli, President of OGS, elucidated the publication’s holistic approach, emphasizing the Laboratory on Quantitative Sustainability (TLQS) initiative as a pioneering effort to forecast the health of the planet and the societal ramifications of policies and technologies.
Stefano Fantoni, President of FIT, echoed this sentiment, positioning the publication as a catalyst for informed policy formulation and interdisciplinary discourse. He emphasized the importance of nuanced understanding in navigating the complexities of sustainability.
Marina Forlizzi, Executive Editor of Springer Nature, lauded the collaboration, highlighting the role of open-access publication in democratizing scientific knowledge. She envisioned the publication as a harbinger of sustained cooperation in addressing pressing environmental and social challenges.
In essence, the event served as a rallying point for stakeholders across sectors, signaling a collective commitment to charting a more sustainable path forward. As voices from academia, government, and industry converge to confront the defining issues of our time, the stage is set for meaningful progress in the pursuit of sustainability.
