At the 2024 Water Festival, we had the pleasure of welcoming Massimo Cirri, the well-known and passionate presenter from Rai Radio 2, who is one of the founders and has always been the driving force behind ‘M’illumino di Meno’ – a campaign that, for 22 years, has encouraged us to reflect on a simple yet powerful truth: change begins with everyday actions.

He told us what sparked the creation of one of the most widely embraced campaigns in Italy today, which grows every year and involves an ever-larger community.
A blackout in the early 2000s that left much of the country in the dark and forced Italy to import large quantities of energy from abroad led Massimo and the then editorial team of Caterpillar (already a mainstay of the national schedule) to realise that it was still unclear just how delicate the balance between supply and consumption was, and what impact energy production had on nature and the planet.

Thus this day was born – set for 16 February to coincide with the signing of the Kyoto Protocol – which has now become a shared event at all levels.

Everyone can take part and do their bit for a more sustainable lifestyle, starting with small but concrete actions. Switching off a light, reducing waste, making a more conscious choice: individual gestures which, when combined, become a collective responsibility.