Interview
Antonello Pasini: ‘We must not let our guard down’ on the climate
We spoke with the Nobel winner following his open letter to European leaders. ‘We must not demonize the behavior of individual citizens. It is governments and the production system that must do more, enabling citizens to change their lifestyles without damage.’
Don’t stop now, is the message of the appeal addressed to Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Giorgia Meloni, and, by extension, the European Commission, urging them not to halt the fight against climate change. It was written by two professional climatologists, Antonello Pasini of the CNR and Stefano Caserini of the University of Parma, and Nobel Prize winner in physics Giorgio Parisi, who was awarded the prize for demonstrating that the complexity method must be applied to study complicated systems such as the atmosphere.
The open letter was immediately endorsed by some important names in Italian science, such as chemist Vincenzo Balzani, physicist Nicola Armaroli, climatologists Elisa Palazzi, Susanna Corti and Maria Cristina Facchini, and many other distinguished figures. “Temperatures in recent decades have risen at a rate unmatched in at least the last 2,000 years,” write the authors of the appeal.
“This warming is compromising the climatic, ecological, and economic balances in many areas of the planet. Italy is among the countries threatened and is already experiencing numerous direct and indirect impacts of climate change, with projections indicating a worsening of conditions in the coming decades.”
Therefore, the document explains, we must continue to pursue the goal of reducing emissions by 90-95% by 2040 compared to 1990, as indicated on Monday, June 2, in the latest report by the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change, the commission established in 2021 to provide knowledge and expertise to European institutions on climate issues. “This reduction,” the appeal argues, ”represents an opportunity for Europe, as it brings numerous benefits: greater energy security and reduced dependence on fossil fuel imports; improved public health and reduced healthcare costs; stimulation of technological innovation and creation of green jobs; minimization of environmental and social risks.”
Antonello Pasini, who also dedicated his recent book “La Sfida Climatica” (The Climate Challenge) published by Codice Edizioni to this topic, highlights the risk of a slowdown. “The numbers tell us that if all countries keep their commitments, we should achieve or almost achieve the decarbonization targets set by Europe for 2030. However, we must not let our guard down. The impression one gets is that there is a desire to ‘water down’ the European Green Deal. Meanwhile, the scientific community is reiterating that the 2040 target is of key importance.”
The prevailing winds have changed in the fight against global warming.
After the last elections, many are arguing that we cannot afford it. Von der Leyen has never said so openly, but the Green Deal is still being worked on. Hence the need to emphasize that the scientific community, based on solid research, has not changed its mind.
Do political or economic pressures matter more?
In today's world, it seems that the economy has the upper hand. But those who are involved in politics and aspire to the role of statesman have a duty to guide the economy, and we believe in this role. We are addressing politicians because they are the ones who make the decisions.
Are those right who say that ecology is in conflict with social justice because it slows down businesses and raises the cost of goods?
Neither side’s arguments hold water. Those who believe in the free market must realize that, in the long run, climate change will cause gross domestic product to collapse, and with it competitiveness. Those who care about the redistribution of wealth and the fight against inequality should be aware that climate change will widen the gaps between rich and low-income countries and between social groups within the same communities.
What kind of year was 2024?
We thought that the temperature would drop a little compared to 2023, because in 2024 El Niño lasted only two or three months. Instead, we had to reassess. It was an even hotter year, and we may have exceeded the threshold of 1.5 degrees of warming compared to the pre-industrial period. Other factors have also played a role: the usual terrestrial ‘reservoirs’ of carbon dioxide have struggled. Large fires have reduced the ability of trees to absorb CO2, and the warming of the seas has had the same effect on water.
Who needs to do more now: citizens or large organizations, such as governments and businesses?
Everyone has a role to play, from individuals to groups. But we must not demonize the behavior of individual citizens. It is governments and the production system that must do more, enabling citizens to change their lifestyles without damage.
Do wars and sovereignty help or hinder the fight against climate change?
Sovereignty does not favor it, because multilateralism and cooperation are needed to combat global warming. Instead, nationalism encourages us to only look after our own backyard. But we are all in the same boat: perhaps the weakest will suffer the most before us, but then we will all pay the price for climate change. The narrative that “if things go badly, we'll go to Mars” is not realistic.
After two petrostates, the Emirates and Azerbaijan, this year's COP 30 will take place in Brazil, the country of forests.
There are many expectations and high hopes. But there’s not much to work with: the US is disengaging and, in addition to abandoning its targets, is blocking climate research itself. This is a worrying anti-scientific narrative, because when data is obscured, a biased and ideological view of reality prevails.
Originally published at https://ilmanifesto.it/dai-climatologi-al-nobel-parisi-leuropa-continui-la-lotta-al-cambiamento-climatico on 2025-06-04