Satellite event: Lexicon of the Ecological Transition. Presentation of the Book: Ecology, Economy, Society. Dictionary of Sustainability

On Monday, April 14 at 3:00 PM, the presentation of the book "Ecology, Economy, Society. Dictionary of Sustainability" took place at the Central University Library of Milano-Bicocca University (Building U6 Agorà, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, Milan).The event, which I introduced and moderated as an EU Climate Pact 2025 Ambassador and lecturer in Environmental and Territorial Sociology, was organized together with Mariaclaudia Cusumano, research fellow in Environmental and Territorial Sociology. It was held within the framework of the Environmental Sociology course in the Bachelor's Degree in Sociology at the Department of Sociology and Social Research, University of Milano-Bicocca.Around 40 participants attended the event, including students and faculty members, engaging actively in the discussion.

The ecological transition of society and the economy is no longer a choice, but an urgent necessity, requiring a profound and systemic transformation of our models of production, consumption, and social organization. Yet, the complexity of these processes demands adequate analytical tools to understand the challenges ahead, identify effective transition pathways, and overcome resistance to change.The "Dictionary of Sustainability", edited by Aurelio Angelini and Massimo Scalia, represents a key contribution in this regard. Through a rich, multidisciplinary approach, the book offers a critical overview of the core concepts of sustainability, providing both theoretical grounding and practical insight to navigate current debates. It does not merely define terms but delves into their political, economic, and social implications, highlighting how sustainability is often misused to serve the status quo.

Today, the ecological transition is a central issue on both public and political agendas, but the risk of greenwashing and superficial adoption of "green" language is high. The improper use of terms like “green,” “circular,” and “sustainable” by large industrial groups, particularly those tied to fossil fuels, shows how essential it is to adopt a critical and informed approach to distinguish real actions from mere branding. 

Moreover, the global environmental crisis intersects with growing social inequalities and economic instability, making it necessary to integrate environmental sustainability with social justice. The event provided an important opportunity to reflect on sustainability as a tool for cultural and political transformation. Drawing on the contributions from the Dictionary of Sustainability, the discussion explored current challenges and strategies for addressing them, with the aim of fostering a more just, balanced society in harmony with the planet.The recording of the event will soon be available on the social media channels of the University Library