I realize that Italy is quite a bit smaller than the US, so eco-friendly ideas might be easier to implement. However, the observations I made were more the result of lifestyle decisions, and not some government mandate. They were set in motion by individuals, or companies, and as a result, have an effect on the environment. The benefits impact all Italians and their lifestyle.
Every hotel we stayed in had dual flush toilets. This was from the big city to small villages. It seems to be the norm in hotels. Installing a dual flush kit is quite easy and can reduce water consumption by as much as 60%. Check out these simple steps for a $24.00 DIY installation. Italians personal consumption of water is approx. 1243/cubic meters/year, as opposed to our excessive 2500 cubic meters. {figures from www.waterfootprint.org}
Everyone seems to be focused on fresh and local. The menus reflect what is currently in the marketplace and consumers shop more frequently for their groceries. Agriturismos, while initially introduced to help farms survive, are alive and well in Italy. WWOOF provides opportunities for work/stay on organic farms and there are many Bed and Breakfast establishments throughout Italy where you can sojourn and enjoy the products from local agriculture.
Packaging for everything we bought was either in biodegradable plastic bags, or wrapped in recyclable paper.
Our train ride from Rome to Florence turned up solar panels on everything from small family run farms to large olive and wine groves. It was a remarkable thing to see. Italy recently completed the construction of 10 new solar farms, efficiently bringing them on line in just two months. This new grid supplies the energy needs equal to 4,000 households. The largest photo voltaic solar plant in Europe is in Rovigo, Italy.
And the cars…don’t get me started on our gas guzzling autos…
Why do you think the Italians are more focused on environmentally friendly solutions then we are here in America?
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