Project title: A journey through the history of weather and climate in Monza

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Scuola secondaria di I grado T. Confalonieri   Monza   Italy

We studied the effects of climate change using meteorological data from weather stations in the area. We chose the Milano Brera weather station (14 km from Monza) because it has been active since 1763.
Daily data was obtained from the ARPA Lombardia website. The daily maximum and minimum temperatures were averaged for each year and processed using spreadsheets. We obtained the average, maximum and minimum annual temperatures from 1763 to the present day and created graphs to make the analysis clearer. We then studied the variation in the number of tropical nights and very hot days (over 30°C and 35°C) during each year, to see if there was any significant variation.
We looked at the total annual rainfall from 1901 onwards, using spreadsheets to process the daily data into annual data, to see if changes in temperature were also accompanied by changes in precipitations.
In class we carried out the “greenhouse effect in a jar” experiment. We used two glass jars and a lamp. In one of the jars we put CO2 produced by the reaction between vinegar and baking soda. A digital thermometer was placed in each jar to measure the temperature change every minute. This allowed us to observe the relationship between carbon dioxide and temperature.
We installed a rain gauge and a maxima-minima thermometer in the schoolyard, which we used from November to February. Every day, one of us read and recorded the temperatures and the mm of rain. At the end of the period, we created a table.
Finally, we analysed some satellite data regarding our territory through EO Browser. First, we visualised the level of air pollution in our area using Sentinel 5P data. Then, we observed and analysed the damages caused by the bad weather in the summer of 2023 in Monza Park, monitoring the health of vegetation using Sentinel 2 data.

We analysed the data from the Milano Brera Station and created several graphs to show the changes in temperature in Milano over the last 260 years. We discovered that the average annual temperature has increased by about 3°C compared to the reference period 1961-1990. Moreover, 17 of the hottest years ever recorded in Milano have been in the last 20 years. In particular, 2022 and 2023 were the hottest years on record. An analysis of the number of days with extreme temperatures shows that 2022 was the year with the highest number of days above 30°C ever recorded.
We discovered that the number of tropical nights – those in which the minimum temperature never drops below 20°C – has increased over the last 200 years, and especially in the last 30 years. Finally, analysing the annual rainfall, we found that the trend is not regular. However, by calculating the average over 15 years, we observed a decrease of more than 100 mm in annual precipitation since 1901. In particular, 2022 was the driest year on record, with 389 mm of rain.
These data allowed us to answer our question: thanks to weather data, it is possible to observe that the climate in our region is changing.
Using satellite data from Sentinel-5P we observed concerning levels of nitrogen oxides pollution in the Po Valley in 2024. Using Sentinel-2 satellite images, we verified the destructive effects of the bad weather that hit our city on 25 July 2023. Through the Barren Soil filter and NDVI data we observed that the impact on vegetation was devastating, with the loss of large vegetated areas and a significant drop in NDVI values.
Finally, in our experiments we learnt that climate change is undoubtedly caused by the human emissions of greenhouse gases and we learnt how to monitor weather from Earth, using thermometers and rain gauges.

To raise awareness about climate change among students in Monza, we will hold a symposium during the Scienza Under 18 event in Monza in May 2024. During this important scientific event in our city, we will present our studies and results.
We have also created a website to present the results of our work, to inspire other young people to take care of the environment and to inform them about the risks of climate change.
During our symposium we will try to promote a more sustainable lifestyle: small gestures can make a big difference!
For example, sending emails, making video calls, storing documents online and watching streaming series all have a significant impact on the environment. We can all reduce our internet use and save energy.
When we go to the supermarket, we should try to buy only the food and items we really need, and avoid things that will be thrown away later.
Over 100 billion items of clothing are produced every year and it is important to adopt a ‘buy better, buy less’ approach. In addition, a third of the carbon footprint of a garment’s life is created during its use, through washing, drying and ironing. So try to wash clothes only when necessary.
Whenever possible, try to cycle or walk and leave your car at home or use public transport.
Reducing the amount of meat and fish you eat and thinking about where it comes from can have multiple benefits for our health and our planet.
Finally, follow the 4Rs of sustainability: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover: it will help prevent waste and preserve natural resources. From food to plastic, clothes to cardboard: recover materials and objects, sort waste and recycle!

https://sites.google.com/icsconfalonieri.edu.it/monzaclimate/home

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