Walking for a Sustainable Future

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Climate change is now such an evident experience that it can no longer be denied even by the most sceptical of men; recent events are, unfortunately, just one of many examples that, in recent years, testify to how much damage we have inflicted on our Planet and what consequences await us.

European and international governments have devised many intervention programmes to address the problem, but it appears that not all plans have been carried through and that there is still much work to be done to at least mitigate future damage: various awareness-raising initiatives and activities are promoted in schools and by institutions, as well as by volunteer and social commitment associations, yet few concrete results seem to emerge, especially given the severity of the situation.

According to experts, the climate is changing mainly because of the way we use energy to produce electricity, heat our homes, power factories, drive cars and fuel aircraft; this means that by correcting these patterns of behaviour, we could reduce CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases that cause global warming and contain the related repercussions.

What can we do? Walking for a sustainable future

A recent European campaign invites all citizens to contribute to improving current conditions through simple yet important daily actions that echo the slogan Lower – Switch off – Recycle – Walk – Change: an exhortation for each of us to commit ourselves every day to acting with greater care and awareness.

We at A piedi per il mondo, in particular, are convinced that, in addition to regulating water and heating temperatures, switching off lights and devices, reusing packaging and products, changing eating and consumption habits, one of the most effective and sustainable actions is to recover our natural inclination to walk as it is beneficial simultaneously to both the environment and to people.

In this space we have explored and experienced many times the benefits that walking can bring to the individual from a psycho-physical, emotional and spiritual perspective, but perhaps we have not dwelt sufficiently on the positive effects it can also have on the community in a broader sense; choosing to moderate the use of transport for short or long journeys and travels means walking for a sustainable future and contributes to:

• improving the overall health of the population
• reducing air and noise pollution
• limiting road accidents
• promoting social inclusion
• supporting local economies
• promoting new lifestyles
• innovating tourism and hospitality offerings.

There is no need to produce data and figures to support this, we all know it, walking is absolutely beneficial: it brings wellbeing, improved quality of life, sociability, territorial development linked to commercial, craft, food and wine, and religious activities, employment opportunities and, at the same time, savings in terms of healthcare costs, infrastructure and support; it compels us, from a constructive and positive perspective, to slow down, to scale back and to initiate processes of change that take into account the real needs of humanity and the enhancement of the environment in which we move through respectful use of resources, adequate and proportionate investment planning and far-sighted reflection on the application of technological progress.

There is no more time, walk people, walk!

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