“Signals from the climate in FVG”: a magazine for the citizens, to raise public awareness of climate change in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region

“Segnali dal clima in FVG” (Signals from the climate in Friuli Venezia Giulia region) is an informative publication designed for the general public offering a regional and local perspective on climate change. The magazine explores this complex theme from three perspectives: CHANGES, IMPACTS, ACTIONS.

It is born from the commitment of the Clima FVG Working Group, that brings together the region’s leading scientific and research institutions, which share the belief that addressing the challenges posed by climate change to our society requires not only scientific and technological advancements but also widespread public awareness and understanding.

To bring the public closer to a topic that is still often perceived as distant, “Segnali dal clima in FVG” presents different facets of climate change starting from the account of events and situations that have recently affected Friuli Venezia Giulia region, while also highlighting how the local dimension is connected to the global one.

The basic idea is to draw on the knowledge that the research institutions belonging to the Clima FVG WG constantly elaborate, translating it into accessible and engaging content for the general public. “Segnali dal clima in FVG” takes the form of a popular science magazine, published annually: the articles are collected on a voluntary basis from experts within the Clima FVG WG’s institutions, according to the authors' willingness and topics’ availability. Each year different climate-related themes are explored and highlighted, providing locally relevant knowledge about weather and climate, cryosphere, freshwater, sea, lagoon, ecosystems, agriculture, forests, wildfires, buildings, urban areas, social and psychological issues, animal and human health etc.

The story-telling of events and phenomena is accompanied by explanations, mini-glossaries, examples. The magazine’s structure and reading path helps non-expert readers to understand how changes, impacts and actions are connected, showing how climate changes affect the environment and human activities and what mitigation and adaptation actions we can put in place, both at a collective and at an individual level. This should help ease and manage the possible anxiety-inducing effect of part of the information by framing the messages into a constructive perspective.

Editorial coordination is managed by ARPA FVG. All the editorial, graphic design and production process is done "in-house" without additional funding.

The magazine is published and freely available online. A limited number of copies are printed on paper for institutional purposes and for distribution to policy makers.

Further positive outcomes of “Segnali dal clima in FVG” come from the drafting process itself, which involves establishing new relationships with experts from various scientific institutions and the most diverse disciplines, contributing to valuable insights that help shape regional climate policies.