The Italian Regionalism Grappling with Climate Change: A Further Turn Towards Unequal Asymmetry

The syncretic word “climate change” refers to a natural process that has been greatly exacerbated by human activity and has severe socioeconomic consequences, particularly in worsening territorial inequalities and disproportionately affecting disadvantaged areas. The problem is particularly acute in Italy, where policies addressing the negative effects of climate change show substantial regional disparities, driven by a mistaken type of differentiated regionalism. Unsurprisingly, regions in Southern Italy are trailing behind, with some appearing indifferent to the situation and lacking both plans and tactics. Unbeknownst to them, a modest 2 °C temperature increase will result in a 3.7% reduction in national GDP over the next thirty years. This percentage is expected to increase exponentially, particularly in regions that are unable to implement solutions to reduce the socioeconomic consequences of climate change. An urgent. To address this imbalance and encourage a collective, well-informed response to the upcoming environmental issues, it is important that immediate and comprehensive action be taken.