“We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.” – Carl Sagan
Today, November 10, is the World Science Day for Peace and Development, proclaimed in 2001 by UNESCO. This day celebrates the significant role of science in society, the need to involve a wide audience in debates on scientific issues, and the importance of science in our daily lives. In addition to having an informative role on scientific developments, it is also an opportunity to celebrate scientists and encourage our societies to be more sustainable.
This year’s theme is: “Building Climate-Ready Communities”, to raise awareness among the population on the great challenge posed by climate change.
Since its proclamation, this Day has led to the creation of many projects, of funding and of concrete programs for science, all over the world. In addition, it has favored collaborations between scientists whose work is focused on regions facing particular conditions: an example is the foundation of IPSO, the Israeli-Palestinian Organization for Science, an organization supported by UNESCO.
SCIENCE AT HOME AND IN SCHOOLS: CREATE CURES FOUNDATION, FONDAZIONE VALTER LONGO ONLUS, AND THEIR FOUNDER’S COMMITTMENT
Our Foundations’ main objective is precisely that of making discoveries and advances in the scientific field available to everyone, 1) on the subject of longevity and healthy nutrition, a balanced lifestyle, as well as the prevention of many non-communicable diseases (cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases likeAlzheimer’s); 2) regarding integrated therapies that support and render standard therapies more effective in the treatment of many non-communicable pathologies. We do not underestimate the importance of having access to scientific progress, and we work to create scientific dissemination activities that reach as many people as possible. As proof of this last statement:
1) the many highly informative books written by Professor Longo that bring science, progress and scientific discoveries into people’s homes and lives, with the aim of changing our lifestyle for the better or offering support in case of need:
2) Fondazione Valter Longo’s projects in schools, centers for people with disabilities or helpingwomen escaping violence, in addition to nutritional assistance for all those who wish to live a healthy life or those who suffer from severe illnesses. The goal behind each of these projects is to inform and raise awareness regarding proper nutrition and its key role in living a healthy and long-lasting life, as well as offering concrete support and guidelines for those who need it.
With regard to this year’s theme “Building Climate-Ready Communities”, among our many projects, our school projects are of particular relevance, as their goal is to educate students about a healthy and sustainable diet for themselves, the community and the environment by organizing webinars and bycreating school materials and kits for both teachers and students.
By using brainstorming activities, sharing circles, role-playing, mind maps, and storytelling, this project also helps students to better understand environmental problems, their causes and consequences, to grasp the impact of lifestyle and nutrition on the environment, and to start learningabout personal and environmental health, well-being and longevity by practicing self-analysis and self-responsibility.
For more information about our programs for schools visit our website, subscribe to our newsletterand write to [email protected]
OUR ADVICE: A HEALTHY PLANETARY DIET
The Create Cures Foundation and Fondazione Valter Longo Onlus promote healthy and sustainable Longevity and Professor Valter Longo’s Longevity Diet is a healthy planetary diet, in line with the report published by the Eat-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, and Health in Lancet, a world-leading medical journal.
37 world-renowned scientists, from 16 different countries, and experts in various fields, came together in 2019 to create the report, which defines, on a highly scientific basis, healthy diets (“Planetary Healthy Diets”) for humans that are also sustainable for the planet.
For example, limited or nonexistent consumption of meat, especially red meat, and dairy products, reduced sugar intake and a focus on nuts, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, plant–based protein, and unsaturated fats may have, as indicated in the report, an important impact on one’s own health and on the environment (by counteracting global warming caused by the emission of greenhouse gases).
The same report indicates that a change in diet, such as the one described above, is necessary by by2050 in order to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in compliance with the Paris Agreement on climate change, and avoid serious damage to people and the planet. The aim is to encourage sustainable production systems that can meet the demand by providing a healthy diet to the growing population.
For more information about the Longevity Diet, you can read Professor Longo’s books, subscribe to our newsletter or contact our nutritionists for assistance and nutritional advice at [email protected].
