The climate crisis makes the issue of water resources more pressing every day, both in the mountains and in the city. Researchers, university professors, Italian Alpine Club (CAI) volunteers, geologists, urban planners and administrators discussed this issue from 30 June to 1 July at the “Rifugio Galassi alla Forcella Piccola dell’Antelao” (Calalzo di Cadore, Belluno). The facility, managed by volunteers from CAI Mestre, hosted the Municipality of Venice’s initiative “From the Dolomites to the sea” for the second year. The interviews collected during the first day are available on YouTube.
Synergies for common choices
Water is sure to be a hot topic again at the third edition, as already announced by Massimiliano De Martin, councillor for the environment of the Municipality of Venice. The pool of participants collaborating in this common reflection is growing ever larger: the Italian Alpine Club, CAI Mestre, the National Research Council, the UNESCO Regional Office for Science and Culture in Europe, the UNESCO Dolomites Foundation, Europe Direct, Consorzio di Bonifica Acque Risorgive and Consorzio dei Comuni del Bacino Imbrifero Montano del Fiume Piave. This year also brought the unexpected collaboration of the Teatro La Fenice in Venice, with some choristers who performed on the first day of work.
A symbolic place
“This second edition has consolidated a project that aims not merely to be a laboratory for insiders, but aspires to set a virtuous example for people who would like to live in a better environment by learning to respect it”, affirms Councillor De Martin. The mountain hut is in a significant location of Mount Antelao, because of two nearby glaciers (the upper and the lower) which inexorably continue their retreat, with consequences on the life of the mountain hut itself. The volunteer managers at the mountain hut are committed to finding functional solutions and educating customers on responsible, sparing use of water every day.