Venice welcomes millions of tourists every year, which consume the corresponding volume of plastic bottles of two Saint Marks Campanile. There are many ways to fight plastic pullution. Of these, the priority is to eliminate the single-use plastic, plastic bottles in particular. Everyone is important: little drops of water make the mighty ocean. Since almost a year, a well-organized group of young Venetians guys called “Venice Calls” is demonstrating not only that collective action is essential but also that it can be manifested in many ways.
Silvia Santato, one of VCL members and a CMCC researcher, together with We Are Here Venice, is the co-organizer of the Climathon Venice, a 24h hackathon conceptualized by Climate-Kic where citizens around the world are engaged on climate action in order to solve local challenges. Last October, a group of members from Venice Calls took part and won the local context proposing a structured idea about a reusable water bottle that is also a ticket to the city of Venice. Few weeks later, at the 22nd edition of ECOMONDO, they were also awarded the first national prize for the best idea, among other 17 from the Italian cities who have joined the context.
The idea is currently under development by the members of Venice Calls, which are periodically organizing talks in high schools, “clean-up days” in the city and a series of conferences where everyone is welcome to take part (for more info and updates please check the Facebook page and Website)