Genoa was the city we chose for our 5th day, and although we dedicated some time to visiting the city’s heritage and architecture, sustainability was the theme for our activities. We began with a visit to the Aquarium of Genoa, the largest aquarium in Italy , located in the Old Port area of Genoa, a revitalized part of the city that offers a mix of historical and modern attractions.
The aquarium has a strong focus on education and environmental awareness, promoting the conservation of oceans and endangered species, as well as raising awareness of the impact that ocean pollution, particularly plastics, has on these species.
Next, following the suggestion of an association called “The Black Bag,” which Francesca Avola kindly contacted, we were challenged to clean one of the most polluted beaches, “Foce.” The Foce beach is located in the eastern part of the city, and indeed reveals significant environmental degradation, with trash scattered along the beach. In just one hour, our young people carried out a partial cleanup, much to the disbelief of some of the beachgoers, and they significantly reduced the amount of litter.
Genoa, like many European cities, has been striving to adopt sustainable practices in various areas, from waste management to urban mobility. There is a noticeable investment in the public transportation system (electric or hybrid models and the expansion of bus and train routes), making it easier to access different parts of the city and reducing dependence on private cars. Despite the creation of bike lanes, the city’s hilly terrain makes cycling more challenging than in the cities we visited earlier.
One downside of the city that we noticed is the quality of the beach we cleaned, which is a public beach. As we could see, this neglect is partly due to the fact that most beaches are not free to access.
Tomorrow, we will complete our last activity in the city of Turin!
