During the “Festival of Science and Philosophy – Virtue and Canocenza”, held in Foligno, Carlo Calfapietra, Director of the Institute of Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council (Cnr-Iret), explained the role and the challenges that ecosystems will have to face. The increasing amount of the concentration of atmospheric CO₂ has very serious consequences on ecosystems, the main carbon sinks of the planet. These phenomena are particularly serious for the Mediterranean, both for the richness of biodiversity and for the significant effects that the increase in temperature has here. It is clear that, in the perspective of decarbonization and climate neutrality objectives that we will face in the coming years, a primary objective remains: defending the integrity of ecosystems to promote the conservation of biodiversity and their carbon reserve.

Watch the full lecture here