It was 2003, when the fledgling Cairo Publishing launched Natural Style, the first eco-focused women's monthly lifestyle publication, which addressed topics that were barely discussed at the time, such as organic food, permaculture, holistic health and sustainable travel.
The idea was to create a "green" thread that would unite a target audience already aware of these issues, and build a collective identity with more appeal, that was more popular and attractive: the challenge was to dismantle the stereotype that until that point had identified people who embraced an "alternative" lifestyle as not very interested in self-care, fashion and beauty culture.
I remember that the eco clothing in that period was all very loose, made with not very comfortable fabrics and sad colours - beige, cream and off-white was the must-have colour palette. "Inti-Illimani" style, as I used to laughingly describe it to the colleagues I shared an open-plan office with in Corso Magenta, the headquarters of what would in time become the biggest publishing house in Italy. 

In July 2023, we will celebrate 20 years since the birth of Natural Style; 20 years in which I have interviewed true visionaries - first and foremost Simona Roveda, the "mother" of LifeGate, and still today my friend and guru - who have helped me improve my skills to pursue a common goal: getting people to understand that together we can change course and save our planet.

It was during one of my "Natural" interviews that I had the opportunity to meet a woman who has been fundamental to my career as a journalist. It was 2013, and Caterina Balivo was presenting the first edition of Detto Fatto, the tutorial programme on the Rai 2 TV channel that was created with the aim of teaching people to "do things" (from cooking with leftovers, to DIY projects, right up to makeup and natural beauty remedies).

Together, we brought to life the first "green" space in an afternoon entertainment broadcast on a Rai channel. A chat for a few minutes on the Hollywood VIPs and divas who were embracing a sustainable lifestyle - at the time there were still not many - to push viewers following the programme to emulate their heroes and become more virtuous in their daily lives.

Over the seasons, thanks to Endemol and Marzio Carlessi - an author with a green soul - this space evolved into a 15-20 minute segment: the "first green quiz on Italian television," which I came up with, wrote and co-hosted, first with Balivo and then with Bianca Guaccero. A question-answer game with challenges and questions on the behaviours and conscious choices to adopt at the supermarket, the fishmonger, at home, and during Christmas festivities.

Here too, the basic idea was to develop viewers' empathy towards issues that seemed distant: the game allowed us to prompt participation, entertain, and at the same time help viewers to understand that every one of us has a responsibility and a role to play in protecting the planet. 

My career in recent years has become more and more blue-tinted. Thanks to a meeting with another visionary woman - UNESCO official Francesca Santoro (Senior Programme Officer for the UNESCO Oceanographic Commission and Global Leader for Ocean Literacy), who wanted me on the team for the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). This is a huge international campaign launched by the United Nations, to create a virtuous cycle that connects people with others and with the ocean.
We have mapped only around 23% of the sea floor: we still don't know it well enough. There is a very long way to go. I help to "break down" the concepts from scientists that are too complex, studying strategies and projects that will directly reach people's hearts. This is to help create an Ocean Generation, a new collective identity formed by people who are not only fully aware of how fundamental the ocean is for life on our planet, but also have the desire to act themselves.
Because there is no time left: we are the last generation that can change course.