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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda
@ggrimalda.bsky.social
1.7K followers 530 following 850 posts

Researcher in social psychology; Dot-connector; Slow-Traveller; Environmentalist; Runner; Pianist. Born at 325.7ppm.My book:https://www.feltrinellieditore.it/opera/a-fuoco/

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Gianluca Grimalda is an Italian social scientist. Concerned about the effects of climate change and social cohesion, he came to public attention when he refused to travel by plane on business because of the climate impact of air travel. This refusal was followed by dismissal by his employer, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. .. more

Economics 32%
Political science 22%
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · Oct 22
After 6 months of fieldwork in Bougainville, I'm ready to embark on leg 1 of my #NoFly journey to Germany. Travelling by ship,train,coach over 27,000km, I'll emit ~535kg of CO2, 10 times less than flying. This decision cost me my job, but I still think it was the right thing to do. 1/
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 2h
Day 14: Rest in my capsule hotel in Tbilisi,then work and hit downtown from Heroes Square. Freedom Square used to be under occupation by Pro-Europe movement after Oct-24 elections, but is now freed. Great contrast with founder King Vakhtang Gorgasali from old city overlooking new city. 21/
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 3d
Day 13: 24 hour coach transfer Ankara-Tbilisi. Work hard on my paper. Only little time to look at Black Sea in Trazbon. Pass the border after midnight. Batumi on the coast another instance of casino capitalism. Arrival in Tbilisi early morning with torrential rain+flooding. 20/
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 4d
Day 12:Still work to do,but can't help but visit Ankara archaeological museum. Looking at the “Neolithic Venuses”, where women are depicted in positions of authority, I am led to believe that patriarchy emerged later in pastoralist societies.Long read: gianlu777.substack.com/p/exploring-... 19/
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 4d
Day 11: Arrive in Ankara early in the morning. Everyone sleepy/praying. Work all day on an article on political activism on social media. Manage to squeeze in a run in beautiful Lake Mogan park in the south of the city. 18/
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 5d
I wish in a few years we could see the same mobilisation for the fight against climate change as what is now happening for Palestine. In a not too distant future, people living in Gaza are certain to have to leave their land because of sea level rise, unless we stop emissions.
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 5d
I wish in a few years we could see the same mobilisation for the fight against climate change as what is now happening for Palestine. In a not too distant future, people living in Gaza are certain to have to leave their land because of sea level rise, unless we stop emissions.
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 7d
More on this street in the process of gentrification and other videos on my YouTube channel: youtube.com/shorts/Ea4dW...
Gentrification in Istanbul?Day 10 of my no-fly trip to Papua #refusetofly #SlowTravel #ClimateAction
YouTube video by Gianluca Grimalda
youtube.com
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 7d
No worries, that is also part of the experience...

ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 7d
Street life in Istanbul. The area where I am staying is "European side" and just 3km from Sultanahmet. I've never seen so much demolitions & reconstruction in a single street (as per last pic). Clearly, this area - now mainly for immigrants - will be gentrified. 17/
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 7d
Day 11: 8-hour night bus ride from Istanbul to Ankara. I always get emotional when I cross the Bosphorus Bridge by land (some previous times I just slept...). Guest of Sibel, couchsurfer/friend. Work the full day on my research. 16/
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 8d
Day 10:Visit Museum of Battle for Costantinople.Not much history, but a nationalistic hurray for Mehmet II, conqueror of the Christians in 1453, portrayed as semi-mystical founding father of Turkey. Long read of my visit to Aghia Sofia & Istanbul: open.substack.com/pub/gianlu77... 15/
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 16d
Day 9: 9-hour overnight coach from Thessaloniki to Istanbul. Arrive dazed & confused at 6.30am,2 hours before schedule. Find room in filthiest hotel I've ever stayed. After rest,get to visit Aghia Sofia.Mesmerised by its ancient beauty, even if getting to ground floor is too expensive (€50). 14/
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 16d
Day 8: I say αντίο to Thessaloniki with its angles of sudden calm in a chaotic, overcrowded, and cement-smothering city.
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 18d
Day 8: Need to reorganise trip+buy stuff so stay an extra day in Thessaloniki🇬🇷.Take advantage to visit wonderful Galerius's arch & Rotunda-possibly the first official church in Christianity. Makes me think that the same road jammed with car traffic today used to be a major road for Roman empire. 12/
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 19d
Day 7: Visit Archeological museum in Thessaloniki.Spend whole afternoon there. Incredibly well-preserved mosaic of bedroom from ancient Roman house,depicting Dionysus about to “free” Ariadne, plus some random sexual assaults by Zeus+Apollo. I imagine women were supposed to get the message. 11/
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 19d
Day 6: 8-hour coach transfer from Tirana🇦🇱 to Thessaloniki🇬🇷. . Border bit of a joke. Used by drug smugglers? Struck by Thessaloniki open-air museum. Roman era ruins smothered by cement. Staying in cheap B&B. 10/
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 20d
Day 5:Visit Skanderbeg square in Tirana.Stunned by new of high-rise buildings including casinos,entertainment & hotels. I'd call it casino capitalism. Around the corner pensioners sell tissues to make a living. Long read: gianlu777.substack.com/p/casino-cap...
Long watch: youtu.be/8O2FEUpNgX0 9/
Me in Skandeberg square in Tirana Top balcony of Hemingway bar, close to Skanderbeg square in Tirana Mosque in main Tirana square
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 21d
Day 4:Transfer from Durress to Tirana. Get to hotel by public transport. Unbearable traffic. I walk faster with my 2 suitcases than cars. Get to see House of Leaves, where secret police would tap into Albanians' phone and letter communication. Traveling abroad was illegal under communist rule. 8/
Me entering border controls in Durress. Me on public bus heading to my hostel Young soldier recruits Communist party rulers kneeled in front of Stalin's statue on the day of his death.
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 24d
Day 4: 8-hour overnight ferry trip from Bari to Durrës, Albania. Good sleep in couchette. Reasons for my slow-travel: I feel I have a climate debt, a knowledge debt (towards Bougainville people) and a representation debt (toward people who supported my climate conscientious objection). 7/
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · 27d
Day 3: I meet with Gianluca & Serena, 2 NO-TAP activists against the construction of a gas pipeline in Melendugno, Puglia, Southern Italy. Here's the long read: gianlu777.substack.com/p/the-fight-... and the interview to activists: youtube.com/watch?v=P4pJSPOiP3k&feature=youtu.be 6/
Me with activists Serena & Gianluca in front of the gas plant in Melendugno
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Reposted by Gianluca Grimalda

cityatlas.bsky.social
City Atlas @cityatlas.bsky.social · 28d
I asked @ggrimalda.bsky.social if the villages he visits in Papua New Guinea have refrigeration, while I was thinking through a similar question recently. They generally do not. They catch fish and eat them the same day. About a billion people live at that level.
youtu.be/NaD378Rh_ck
The pleasures of slow travel and learning about the future, with Dr. Gianluca Grimalda
YouTube video by City Atlas
youtu.be
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · Sep 7
Day 1: Very pleased with the presentation of my book in Soleto (Lecce). Here's my view (in Italian with subtitles) on how to draw the line between social activism and respect for self, with the help of Greek philosopher Protagoras. youtu.be/RRwY_42Awbs 5/
Fino a dove spingere il proprio impegno sociale? Presentazione di "A Fuoco" a Soleto/Lecce
YouTube video by Gianluca Grimalda
youtu.be
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · Sep 6
Day 1: Overnight train Milano-Lecce with transfer to another train in the middle of the night because of an engine failure: Checked. 4/
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · Sep 6
Day 0: Getting copies of my book ready for the presentation of "A Fuoco"/Zooming in Soleto (Lecce): Checked. 3/ youtube.com/shorts/o_jNj...
My no-fly journey from Italy to Papua New Guinea: Day 0
YouTube video by Gianluca Grimalda
youtube.com
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · Sep 6
Day 0: Getting the Russian visa: Checked. bsky.app/profile/ggri...
ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · Aug 29
Day 0 of my new #NoFly journey from Italy to Papua New Guinea. Just collected my visa to Russia. I'll cut my CO2 emissions by ~10 & will travel with the hidden majority of the world,those who remain stuck to the ground. I'll complete my research on social cohesion+adaptation to climate change.
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · Sep 6
Couldn't agree more...
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · Sep 6
Thank you for your support!
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · Sep 6
It will be rather boring this time I am afraid...Maybe on the way back it'll be more exciting. Thanks for following me!
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Reposted by Peter Thorne, Du Toit

ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · Sep 3
I've set off to Bougainville,PNG, for another #NoFly journey. I want to complete my research there. Travelling the ~25,000km distance from Italy by🚢,🚅,&🚌,I'll emit ~10 times less than✈️ (computations to come).Here the long read on my motivations: gianlu777.substack.c... 1/🧵
Map of my no-fly itinerary from Italy to Bougainville, PNG
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ggrimalda.bsky.social
dr. gianluca grimalda @ggrimalda.bsky.social · Aug 30
Day 1: Overnight train from Milan to Lecce and then Soleto for presentation of my book "A Fuoco"/Zooming in. 🙏Serena Fiorentino for accurate introduction to the book, Giuseppe Attanasi for moderation & mayor #GrazianoVantaggiato and all present for dialogue. 2/
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