“We must abandon oil” is the appeal launched by experts at Thinkingreen in Taormina.
“The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the serious consequences resulting from it have taught us that we must exploit the possibility, now more concrete than ever, of no longer using fossil fuels, but investing in renewable hydrogen for air transport, such as e-SAF (Sustainable Avation Fuel) and green ammonia for maritime transport”: the post-war sustainable future in Iran is clear according to the professor of Energy Systems of the University of Catania Rosario Lanzafame, who spoke during the talk of the Nations Award in the meeting room of the NH, where a multi-vocal discussion took place in the presence of the Energy Councilor of the Sicilian Region Francesco Colianni, who chaired the panel “Sicily: the 100% renewable challenge”.
And Sicily itself could be the protagonist of the new and revolutionary scenario, given that the fuel for many airports, not only Sicilian ones, is already refined here, which in the coming years could be transformed into the production of new energies such as electric fuel: “Synthetic kerosene is a fuel that has identical characteristics to the current one – explained Prof. Lanzafame – it comes from refining, but which does not need oil but rather fully renewable hydrogen and industrial waste.
Among the speakers also the ASM president Giuseppe Campagna, the Sicilia Fiera – Heysun president Antonio Di Cavolo and the General Manager of Sunleonard Energy Stefano Salerno. So far this has not been used because there has been a lack of awareness and opportunity, which this time in Sicily exist, especially with the help of the European Union with costs that are certainly competitive compared to the past with the zonal price of energy”. The round table moderated by journalist Maurizio Scaglione, after greetings from the organizer Michel Curatolo, president of Nations Award – Thinkingreen, was attended by the ambassador of Uruguay to Italy Alfredo Guillermo Bogliacini Llambi, who presented via video link a report on the green policy of the South American country: “At the beginning of the 2000s we depended on fossil fuels, in just over two decades everything has changed, a reduction of over 60% and at the same time a constant growth of renewable sources including wind power. In 2024, energy produced from renewable sources will amount to 64% of the supply with distribution in hydraulic (46%), photovoltaic (3%), wind (34%), biomass (13%) and thermal (1%), now we aim to exploit the potential for hydrogen”.
The role of the University of Messina
The role of the University of Messina is particularly significant, present not as a simple institutional partner, but as an active subject in the construction of a scientific and cultural reflection on sustainability issues. The University of Messina thus confirms its ability to dialogue with the territory, contributing with specialist skills and interdisciplinary vision to a topic that today can no longer be addressed only from a technical or political perspective, but requires the involvement of research, training and innovation.
The participation of Prof. Nicola Cicero, professor of Food Chemistry at the University of Messina, fits into this context, whose role highlights another strategic axis of sustainability: that linked to the quality, safety and valorisation of agri-food supply chains. In a region like Sicily, where the environment, agriculture, biodiversity, typical productions and tourism represent closely connected elements, the contribution of Food Chemistry becomes central to building models of sustainable development truly based on scientific knowledge.
Also present was Prof. Roberta Salomone, professor of Commodity Sciences at the University of Messina, who provided the University’s scientific contribution to the debate on the topics of the circular economy, the sustainability of production processes, the responsible management of resources and the transition towards more efficient and environmentally compatible development models.
Prof. Cicero underlined the importance of a quality product, such as that of ancient grains, which cannot be considered in the supply chain in terms of quantity, but of quality. A product that has valuable nutritional properties also in protein terms and which, for this very reason, should be protected; perhaps through the creation of a collective brand or regional certification brand, enhancing the supply chain also in terms of food safety. The protection of local production, the control of contaminants, the chemical characterization of foods, the valorisation of agri-food by-products and innovation in production processes today represent essential tools for strengthening the competitiveness of the Sicilian territory without sacrificing safety and quality.
The joint presence of Prof. Salomone and Prof. Cicero therefore restores the image of a University of Messina strongly involved in the processes of change: on the one hand the analysis of production systems and sustainable economic models, on the other the chemical-food expertise applied to supply chains, consumer health and the valorisation of natural resources. Two different, but perfectly complementary perspectives, which show how the ecological transition requires integrated skills and a strong connection between scientific research, institutions and the productive world.
The topics addressed on the inaugural day also include green mobility, renewable energy, the role of local authorities and businesses in the sustainable transformation of the territory. The panel “Taormina accepts the challenge… towards green mobility” involves experts from the energy and environmental sectors, confirming the transversal approach of the initiative.