Belluno schools face controversy over climate denial text

Controversy has erupted in Belluno, Italy, following the distribution of educational materials in high schools that promote climate change denial. The text, titled ‘Climate Change: Scenarios, Challenges, Solutions in Schools, Professional Orders, and Local Authorities’, was funded by the Veneto Region and edited by Giorgio Giacchetti, president of the Order of Geologists of Veneto.

The materials claim that global warming is an exclusively natural and cyclical phenomenon, asserting that rising temperatures cause increased atmospheric CO2 rather than the reverse. The text also describes the greenhouse effect as negligible, effectively denying human responsibility for climate change.

Students and climate experts have expressed significant indignation. The Belluno Middle Student Network has called for the immediate withdrawal of the booklets, citing the spread of false information. University researcher Carlo Barbante has also joined the protest, sending a formal letter to the mayor regarding the content.