The average tree cover in European cities is currently 18.5%. Every 5 percentage points of urban canopy reduces PM2.5 concentrations by 2.8%, NO₂ by 1.4% and ozone by 1.2%. In health terms, this means around 4,700 premature deaths avoided each year in Europe. By bringing every city to at least 30% tree cover, the number of lives saved would rise to almost 12,000 each year. In 2019, urban trees have already “saved” around 24,800 people from dying prematurely due to air pollution.

The Italian contamination is almost certainly similar to the French one. But new rules are coming to our country: will they be enforced? That is the big question.

In recent years, Europe has experienced scorching summers, unexpected floods, droughts and wildfires on a scale we did not know before—causing estimated economic losses of €738 billion between 1980 and 2023, including more than €162 billion in 2021–2023 alone (source: EEA). Many of the damages caused by these events often remain unresolved: felled trees that are not replaced, infrastructure that is never rebuilt, territories left to deteriorate. This creates a vicious circle: the lack of resources to repair damage increases vulnerability to future events, worsening the economic and social impact of disasters. Do we really still think all of this is “normal”?

In Italy, according to the international Waste Watcher Observatory, the average food waste per citizen stands at 555.8 grams per week, or more than 28.9 kg per year. This represents a decrease of 18.7% compared to 2024, but it continues to exceed the European average and remains far from the target of 369.7 grams per week set for 2030.