1. DAVIDE REDIVO
Hello everyone, my name is Davide. Today we are celebrating the World Oceans Day so I would like to share with you the importance of raising awareness of how much the oceans represent a unique and indispensable resource not only for mankind, but for the entire ecosystem. Before anything else, I must thank the Thinking Watermill Society for inviting the Parioli English School to the podcast. We are 3 students who deeply believe in this project for the protection of the marine environment.
Unless you’ve been making a superhuman effort to avoid the news recently, you’ll know that the ocean is vital to life on Earth. But why, exactly, is this the case?
First of all, it has the important role of helping us “breathe”.
The Phytoplankton, tiny plant-like organisms that live in the sea, are responsible for at least 50% of the oxygen on the Earth.
Just like land-based plants, they contain chlorophyll to capture sunlight and use photosynthesis to convert it into the energy they need, producing oxygen as a byproduct. They also consume carbon dioxide, transferring about 10 gigatonnes of carbon from the atmosphere deep into the ocean.
In addition, the entire ocean works as a real climate regulator:
In fact, it absorbs huge amounts of heat from the sun. “More than 90% of the warming that has happened on Earth over the past 50 years has occurred in the ocean” according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “More than 90% of the warming that has happened on Earth over the past 50 years has occurred in the ocean”
That heat tends to be at its most intense nearer the equator, with the water nearest the surface warming the most. Sea currents then transport that heat around the world; north and south, towards the poles. As some of the seawater evaporates, it becomes denser and heavier due to its relatively higher salt content. That causes it to sink, taking some of the warm water deeper.
Some currents are directly responsible for specific climatic effects. One example is the Gulf Stream, which takes warmer water from the Gulf of Mexico across the Atlantic to Europe. If the Gulf Stream were disrupted, much of the western part of Europe – including the UK, Ireland and France – could become colder.
Now I would like to introduce Alejandro who will provide further information regarding this topic.

2. ALEJANDRO MURRUGARRA
Hello, I am Alejandro.
Another reason to take into account is that fish is on the menu for billions of people around the world every day and it accounts for almost 16% of all animal protein consumed globally. Of course, there’s more to seafood than fish, crustacea and other edible creatures. A range of algae and sea plants are also commonly used in cooking.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization lists sodium, calcium, magnesium, and iodine among some of the important nutrients in seaweed. Iodine deficiency has been identified as the “most prevalent and easily preventable” cause of impaired cognitive development in children.
Pressure on resources and the environment have led to calls for food production and for people’s diets to change. A cow, for example, produces 2.8kg of greenhouse gas per kilo of live body weight and needs 10kg of feed for every kilo it weighs.
Plus, to get just one gram of protein from cattle, you need 112 litres of water. The oceans, if properly managed and maintained, could form an important part of a more sustainable approach to feeding the planet’s growing human population.
Needless to say, the ocean is not just a source of food. It is also home to an abundance of life. While estimates on the number of species that live in the sea exist, no one knows with absolute certainty what that number is.
According to the US National Library of Medicine’s National Institutes of Health, “91% of species in the ocean still await description.” That’s due in no small part to the vastness of the oceans, which cover around 70% of the planet’s surface and are up to 11,000 metres deep. The number of yet-to-be-discovered creatures living in the sea could easily run into the millions.
Now Enrico is going to put forward another consideration in favour of oceans.

3. THE OCEAN ECONOMY
Hi, i’m Enrico.
Another reason why we all should care for the oceans is that they provide people with millions of job opportunities. Indeed, by 2030, ocean-based industries will employ more than 40 million people worldwide, an OECD report estimates. The biggest share of those jobs is likely to be in the fisheries sector, followed by tourism. As OECD has analyzed, by the next 20 years the economic sectors that will grow the most will be: offshore wind [24.52%] followed by industrial fish processing [6.26%], industrial marine aquaculture [5.69%] and industrial capture fisheries [4.10%].
In addition, the economic health of maritime industries is fundamentally linked to the overall health of the oceans, of course. The ocean economy is of particular importance in developing countries, which are home to most of 3 billion people who rely on the sea for their livelihoods.
However, challenges like climate change, pollution and a simple lack of awareness of sustainable ocean stewardship techniques continue to put maritime resources at risk. That will limit the potential socioeconomic benefits those resources represent for future generations, as well as stifling people’s earning abilities in the present.
The ocean is therefore fundamental for human existence because it regulates rainfall and droughts, holds 97% of our planet’s water, and absorbs CO2, helping keep the carbon cycle in balance. From food to jobs, it’s a lifeline for billions of people, too.
But the ocean is also a beautiful natural environment with an invaluable recreational role to play. And with research showing a connection between spending time in the natural world and lowering your stress levels, that might be something else worth holding on to.
For all these reasons, we have to start acting now. Not only should we try to do our best to safeguard the oceans and their creatures for the future generations, but we should preserve all their resources as well. Every single small act of awareness, such as reducing any waste discarded in oceans or intensive fishing can make the big difference.
And remember to take care of the environment as it were yourself,
Thank you for your attention!

WORLD BEE DAY

ELENA D’ANTONIO
Hello everyone. My name is Elena. Today we are celebrating World Bee Day so I would like to share with you the importance of raising awareness of bees protection as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals programme which also gives relevance to these pollinators.
But before anything else, I must thank the Thinking Watermill Society for inviting the Parioli English School to the podcast. We are 4 students who deeply believe in “Bee Engaged” so that we can all contribute to safeguarding the most popular pollinators of our Planet.
Why should we care about pollinators?
There are different pollinators species in the world such as butterflies, birds and bats! No doubt, the bees are the most well-known ones ranging between 25.000 and 30.000 species.
Nearly 90 per cent of all wild flowering plants depend at least to some extend on animal pollination. These little animals allow many plants, including food crops, to reproduce. Indeed, the food that we eat such as fruits and vegetables, directly relies on pollinators.

A world without them would equal a world without bio and food diversity. The vast majority of flowering plant species only produce seeds if animal pollinators move pollen from the anthers to the stigmas of their flowers. Without this service, many interconnected species and processes functioning within the ecosystem would collapse. Therefore, pollination is a keystone process in the wild flowering.

Now I would like to introduce Isabella who will provide further information in this regard.

ISABELLA LO GUZZO
Hello, I am Isabella.
As a matter of fact, we all depend on nature.
For this reason, it would be really impactful for the world population to preserve not only the bees, but all pollinators.
Not only do pollinators contribute directly to the reproduction of plants in nature (as Elena told us), but they also help increase the amount of land exploitable for agriculture, affecting 35 percent of global land. These little insects strongly favour to fertilize our cultivated soil with their tiny legs.
Needless to say, during the last years their natural habitat has drastically changed and has severely been damaged.
In fact, what is causing bees extinction is the decreasing of blooming soil due to chemical products used for fertilising land, as well as treating the soil with new machines and techniques, which allows farmers reuse the land right after the harvest, but in the long run, leads to impoverishment of its nutriments. In addition, heavy machines easily destroy insects homes built on the ground between the grass blades, leading to the destruction of many pollinators’ natural environment and no place for these little animals to settle. Life on Land, which represents the 15th United Nations Sustainable Development Goal addresses this global challenge.

Now I would like to introduce Lorenzo to you.


LORENZO NANNIPIERI
Hello, I am Lorenzo.
Another important point, when it comes to the protection of pollinators, is clearly the role they play against world hunger.
The second sustainable development goal of the United Nations is called ‘Zero hunger’ and refers to the necessity to reduce the famine concern the world is currently facing: there are at least 50 countries in the world with almost 200 million people affected by this plague and sadly, these figures are likely to increase if no immediate action is taken.
Although pollinators cannot help to entirely solve this urgent and enormous catastrophe, their survival can impact positively as 80% of human food is supplied by plants which depend on pollinators.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, the decline of bees populations, caused by pollution and climate change, is an alarming fact that could compromise the global food security and nutrition.
Without bees, several varieties of plants are endangered and, consequently, livelihoods and humans are no longer safeguarded.
Again, if this tragic trend continues, a large variety of crops such as fruits, nuts and a relevant portion of common vegetables will be replaced by staple crops, resulting in an unbalanced diet.
We can actually say that pollinators are crucial protagonists in the food chain, contributing to a well-balanced diet and, simultaneously, helping plants, animals and also humans be provided with fundamental substances for their lives.

Now Daniele is going to put forward another consideration in favour of pollinators.

DANIELE REDIVO
Hi, I'm Daniele.
Another reason to take into account is that pollinators with different traits and responses to ambient conditions are one of the best ways to minimize risks due to climate change. Their diversity ensures that there are effective pollinators not just for current conditions, but for future conditions, as well. As a result, ensuring biodiversity among these species is crucial to build resilience in agroecosystems and adapt to climate change.
All in all, what can we personally do to help? We can start with growing bee friendly plants not only in rural areas but also in the urban ones on balconies, terraces, parks and in other green parts of our cities and towns. We can also take action by choosing local organic produce when possible and helping raise awareness about the importance of pollinators for our ecosystems. Protecting any form of life and “Bee engaged” in supporting environmental initiatives is already a head start.
Future is now, so remember that we can all make the difference in safeguarding our planet. Therefore, take care of the environment as it were yourself.
Thank you very much for your attention!

At The Thinking Watermill Society we strongly believe that to have a sustainable future, better – to have a future – it is necessary to fight climate change caused by mankind, protect biodiversity and have women even more protagonists.

For this reason we embraced the project of ZeroCO2 in Tanzania, that gives support to Masai women through reforestation processes, that deliver aid to the interested community as well.

The Masai population is made up of proud people affected as many others by colonial processes and forced permanence politics.

For this reason, for us, every planted tree equals to fighting global warmth, defend ethno-cultural diversity, strengthen the role of women and guarantee a future for Africa and the Planet, because the future is female.

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A The Thinking Watermill Society crediamo fermamente che per avere un futuro sostenibile anzi per avere un futuro, sia necessario combattere il climate change legato all'uomo, proteggere la diversità e avere le donne sempre più quali protagoniste.

Per questo abbiamo abbracciato il progetto di ZeroCO2 in Tanzania, che da supporto alle donne Masai attraverso pratiche di riforestazione che forniscono anche sostegno alla comunità interessata.

Il popolo Masai è un popolo fiero che ha risentito come tanti altri dei processi coloniali e delle politiche forzate di stanzialita'.

Per questo per noi ogni albero piantato in questo progetto equivale a combattere il riscaldamento globale, difendere le diversità etnicoculturali, rafforzare il ruolo delle donne e assicurare un futuro all'Africa e al Pianeta, perché il futuro è donna.

Today 22nd April is the Earth Day.

While not far away from us bombs fall indiscriminately destroying any form of life and the nations aren’t able to reach agreements that can save us from the climate catastrophe, but rather hurry to get armed even more and with even more deadly and devastating weapons, we plant 8 olive trees.

We would like to plant a lot more, but ours is a symbolic act.

Olive trees that will give nourishment and work, olive trees that will fight CO2, olive trees as symbols of peace and respect for any form of life.

8 is a small number that we imagine rotated horizontally to symbolize infinity, because we would like to plant one for each killed person, one for each scream raised to the sky, one for any life broken, whether human, animal or vegetal.

An infinite number of olive trees to shout stop the war, stop all wars and symbolizing the power of life and of peace above all barbarisms to save the planet.

Oggi è il Dantedi

La giornata dedicata al poeta che ha gettato le basi della lingua Italiana.

A noi piace pensarlo come rappresentante della cultura, italiana e non, come uomo che pure amante della sua città ha saputo, attraverso il suo intelletto, farsi conoscere e andare ben oltre i confini geografici, non solo della sua città natale e di quella che poi sarebbe stata l'Italia, ma ben oltre il mondo allora conosciuto.

La poesia e l'arte come simbolo dell'umanità, senza confini e limiti che non siano la comprensione e il sapere vedere oltre la mera forma.

Quell'umanità negata sotto le bombe e nei corpo a corpo non solo in Ucraina ma in tutti gli altri conflitti dimenticati.

Umanità e libertà, libertà dal bisogno e dall'oppressione di qualsiasi genere, libertà dell'anima che spinge Dante a proseguire il suo viaggio nell'oltretomba.

Ci piace parafrasare i suoi versi così da riferirli a tutti noi e renderli sprone per la ricerca di un mondo più giusto e di pace.

Libertà vo cercando ch'è si cara a colui che per lei vita rifiuta


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Today it’s the Dantedì

The day dedicated to the poet who laid the foundations of the Italian language.

We like to think about him as a representative of culture, Italian and not Italian, as a man who even loving his own city, has been able – through his intellect – to make himself known and go well beyond geographic boundaries, not only of his native city and of that which would after be Italy, but far beyond the then known world.

Poetry and art as symbols of humanity, with no borders nor limits except for comprehension and ability to see beyond mere form.

That humanity denied under the bombs and in the close-combat, not only in Ukraine but in all other forgotten conflicts.

Humanity and freedom, freedom from need and from any kind of oppression, freedom of soul pushing Dante to continue his journey in the afterlife world.

We like to paraphrase his verses so to refer them to all of us and make them an incentive in the pursue of a more rightful and peaceful world.

I am searching for the freedom so dear to who, for its sake, refuses life.

Today, 8th of March, Woman’s Day, we plant 7 olive trees as symbols of peace.

Our thoughts go to the women fighters and to the women victims, to the mothers, wives, sisters and daughters of those fighting and victims in Ukraine and in any part of the world.

We think about the women, but also about the men, because distinctions are faded by grief, which joins everyone under the same name: humanity.

We don’t feel like celebrating the achievements in rights parity or saluting with inebriated enthusiasm new initiatives to reach wider rights and equality.

We plant olive trees as symbols of peace, because where there is no peace, there is no right, but only violence and oppression.

Nor the quietness that follows war can be called peace and law, but it is only silence and desert.

May the screams and moans of those suffering reach the heart of those supporting wars and stop their hands.

No more war

Oggi, 8 marzo, giornata della donna, piantiamo 7 alberi di ulivo in segno di pace.

Il nostro pensiero va alle donne combattenti e alle donne vittime, alle donne madri, mogli, sorelle e figlie di coloro che combattono e sono vittime in Ucraina e in ogni parte del mondo.

Pensiamo alle donne, ma anche agli uomini, perché il dolore scolora le distinzioni e accomuna tutti in un solo nome: quello di umanità.

Non ce la sentiamo di festeggiare i risultati raggiunti nella parità dei diritti o salutare con ebro entusiasmo nuove iniziative per raggiungere maggiori diritti e uguaglianza.

Piantiamo alberi di ulivo in segno di pace, perché dove la pace non c’è, non esiste diritto ma solo violenza e sopraffazione.

Né la quiete  che segue la guerra può essere chiamata pace e diritto, ma è solo silenzio e deserto.

Possano le urla e i lamenti di chi soffre giungere al cuore di chi sostiene la guerra e fermarne le mani.

Non più guerra

Carmen, which love?

In the Carmen by Bizet, one of the most beautiful arias is Habanera, the one depicting love as a rebel bird.

Here are some of the quotes that mostly touch our feelings:

Love is a rebellious bird, which no one will ever be able to tame and it is really useless to call him, if he prefers to shirk.

Love is a small gypsy, it never observed a rule.

If you do not love me, I love you.

A joyful aria, even if it is a prelude to the tragic destiny of Carmen, an unconventional woman, yet rich in intelligence and passion.

What she says, for many of us is just obvious, indeed it’s enough having lived through an unreturned love. And what is true at the beginning, can be true even afterwards: I have loved you, but I don’t love you any more.

Love is a rebellious bird which cannot be shut in a cage, otherwise it will die.

This should be a lesson for those who, lying even to themselves, call love an act of violence against the woman that does not correspond to their passion any more. We call it passion, insane passion and egoism, not love, because love knows well that “one can be happy only where two are” (Edgar Lee Masters)

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Carmen, qual amore?

Nella Carmen di Bizet, una delle arie più belle è quella di habanera, dell’amore quale un uccellino ribelle.

Ecco alcune delle frasi più che più colpiscono la nostra sensibilità:

L’amore è un uccellino ribelle, che nessuno potrà mai addomesticare ed è davvero inutile chiamarlo, se lui preferisce sottrarsi.

L’amore è un piccolo zingaro, non ha mai conosciuto legge alcuna.

Se tu non mi ami, io ti amo.

Un’aria gioiosa, che pure è preludio alla tragica fine di Carmen, una donna fuori dalle righe ma ricca d’intelligenza e di passione.

Quel che dice, pe molti di noi è scontato, basta avere amato senza essere corrisposti. E quel che vale all’inizio, può valere anche dopo: ti ho amato ma non ti amo più.

L’amore è un uccellino ribelle, che non puoi mettere in gabbia perché morirà.

Questo dovrebbero imparare coloro che, mentendo perfino a se stessi, chiamano amore, l’atto di violenza nei confronti della donna che più non corrisponde alla loro passione. La chiamiamo passione, passione insana ed egoismo, e non amore, perché l’amore sa bene “that one can be happy only where two are” (Edgar Lee Masters)