In the framework of our editorial mission Green Europe on the Ground , cafebabel.com is sending 40 young journalists, photographers, photojournalists or videomakers 'on the ground'. The aim is to uncover the most innovative initiatives defining a city in our 'green Europe'. We're all fighting climate change!



Rome: far niente ecology

All roads do not necessarily lead to Rome when it comes to talking environment. The Italian capital might be the greenest in Europe after Oslo, but it ranks after Bombay as the city with the most amount of scooters in the world, which remains one of the most popular transport methods for Romans. Taking a bicycle out on those mean streets seems to stir up a bit of a kamikaze effect. But of course, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and if you look, you will find. There is a supreme sophistication in the simplicity of organic Italian food. Theatres and design boutiques reveal an alternative green edge to Rome, whilst more evidence is found on the city’s periphery and the solar roofs of the Vatican, even if its ‘green pope’ sends out mixed WikiLeak messages. Fourth edition in a 2011 monthly series, ‘Green Europe on the ground’ (Image: (cc) Reza Vaziri/ Flickr)

FEATURE Green Rome’s periphery: get thee to the Casale Podere Rosa cultural centre

Green Rome’s periphery: get thee to the Casale Podere Rosa cultural centre

On the urbanely disfigured periphery of the Italian capital, activists have spent the last two decades using tools such as squats, organic food markets, film projections, solar panels and the idea of Italian environmental memory to promote a more convivial and environmentally friendly way of life

by Amelie Mouton @ // 27/04/11

history, activism, ecology, rome, green europe on the ground, green cities, suburbs, society

FEATURE Pigs can fly or the pope is green

Pigs can fly or the pope is green

Does Benedict XVI really have green fingers? He’s been branded the ‘green pope’ for his advocacy of global environmental protection for years – but is it merited?

by Katharina Kloss @ // 22/04/11

environment, religion, lifestyle, catholicism, rome, green europe on the ground, green cities, church, energy, society, pope benedict xvi, environmental protection

REPORT Rome was not built in a day...nor for bikes

Rome was not built in a day...nor for bikes

I am a devout cyclist who first rode a bike by chance. I come from Strasbourg in eastern France, a city in which the two wheels reign supreme, so I did all I could to get hold of a bike in Rome. 'It’s suicidal!' those around me squealed, but after four days alone in a city dominated by cars, I realised that cycling can also look like a kamikaze mission

by Tania Gisselbrecht @ // 12/04/11

civil society, ecology, lifestyle, rome, green europe on the ground, society, transport, best of cafebabel.com

FEATURE Recycle, reuse, design: eco-creativity in Rome

Recycle, reuse, design: eco-creativity in Rome

Between designers, actors, musicians, cartoonists and environmentalists pure and simple, a look at the hidden side of Rome, where creativity and art combine to save the environment

by Roberto Lapia @ // 12/04/11

rome, clothes, ecology, green europe on the ground, culture, society, comics, fashion

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