Four Italians made their way to the World Economic Forum in Davos on skis, to protest against the climate crisis and highlight the contradictions and inaction of institutions. Luca Fontana was among them — we interviewed him.
From 21 to 24 January, the world's most powerful figures gathered in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum. Despite the forum's apparent openness to issues relating to the climate crisis — which plays a central role in the report on the five major global risks that could have a significant impact over the next decade, presented in Davos — the summit was also attended by banks, insurance companies and pension funds that continue to finance coal and oil. To shed light on this contradiction and call for concrete action to counter the ongoing environmental collapse, four Italians set off from Sondrio, in Valtellina, and crossed the Alps on skis bound for Davos.
We asked Luca Fontana, photographer and explorer who took part in the expedition alongside Giovanni Montagnani, Michele Dondi and Marco Tosi, to tell us how it went.
What prompted you to undertake the expedition?
The idea for the expedition came out of a conversation one evening with Giovanni (Montagnani, ed.). We were discussing the fact that this year's edition of the World Economic Forum was dedicated to sustainability — a choice that struck us as absurd, given that the majority of participants arrive in Davos on their own private jets; in fact, the Swiss city is chosen precisely because it has an airport for private jets. It seemed like nothing more than greenwashing to us, especially considering that over 300 billion is still spent every year on subsidies to fossil fuels. With our expedition, we wanted to send a message: those funds must be transferred immediately from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
Read also: From Sondrio to Davos on skis to protest against global warming
During the crossing, you witnessed the current unnatural climatic conditions with your own eyes. Is the situation in the Alps really that alarming?
Unfortunately, yes. During the first two days we covered many kilometres and also moved at night; during the overnight crossing of two passes situated at over three thousand metres, the temperature must have been three or four degrees, when at this time of year it should be -15 degrees. There is also no snow — apart from the sporadic snowfall of recent days, the last snowfall dates back to December. We crossed several glacial valleys and observed unnaturally pale, unoxidised rock, bearing witness to the rapid retreat of the ice.
Do you believe that symbolic initiatives like yours and grassroots movements can genuinely influence the shaping of climate policy?
The powers that be will never change of their own accord. We cannot wait for change to come from above. We must fulfil our duties as citizens and human beings — both by making our lifestyles more sustainable, but above all through voting, by exerting pressure on the political class and demanding concrete action from governments.
Despite climate change being before our very eyes, one gets the impression that it is still too often perceived as something exotic and distant. Do you think photography can help raise public awareness of the ongoing climate crisis?
Absolutely. The photographer, or more broadly the figure of the influencer, holds great power, and not making use of it would be a shame. Through my photos, I try to convey a message and address the issues I feel most strongly about, such as the protection of nature or climate change — topics that are, moreover, closely connected and on which our survival depends.
Our mountains are threatened not only by rising temperatures but also by exploitation, by obsolete economic models that envisage, for example, the construction of new ski lifts, and by the constant attempts to turn them into spectacles and commodities. What do you think needs to be done to promote respectful and conscious exploration?
We need to rediscover the mountains at the right pace and with the respect they deserve. Together with Giovanni Montagnani, I made a short film called Allontanare le montagne, which promotes sustainable alpinism without resorting to fossil fuels, approaching the mountains by bike or by train. Unfortunately, local authorities continue to move in the opposite direction. Take, for example, what is happening at Alpe Devero, in the Lepontine Alps — a beautiful valley and a symbol of slow, sustainable tourism. This wonderful place could be ruined forever by the invasive project of a ski resort called Avvicinare le Montagne, which envisages the construction of new ski lifts and new infrastructure to link Devero to San Domenico. The cost of the project amounts to around 173 million euros, with projected public expenditure of nearly 43 million. The project has already been approved, but fortunately it has met with strong popular resistance, and a petition to save Alpe Devero has been launched, having already gathered over 90,000 signatures.