M’illumino di Meno is a radio campaign to raise awareness about energy saving and sustainable lifestyles. It has been promoted by Rai Radio2 with its popular afternoon drive-time show Caterpillar since 16 February 2005, when the Kyoto Protocol came into force.
Over the years, M’illumino di Meno has inspired thousands of people to take action to save the Planet in their daily life: choosing circular economy, favoring clean mobility, switching to renewables, supporting reforestation…
As a result of this mass mobilization, the Italian Parliament has designated 16 February as the National Day of Energy Saving and Sustainable Lifestyles.
Rai Radio2 with Caterpillar celebrates the Day by bringing together all those who care about the future of the Planet and want to show their environmental commitment.
About M'illumino di Meno
The core principles of M'illumino di Meno
Environmental education
Raising environmental awareness through sustainability storytelling.
Community
Building up a community sharing good environmental practices.
Participation
Encouraging firsthand involvement in sustainable initiatives.
Who can participate?
Everyone is invited to celebrate the National Day of Energy Saving and Sustainable Lifestyles: turn off the lights, have a candlelit dinner, go by bike, get planting! Everyone can join the community of M’illumino di Meno at any time by sharing their own sustainability story.
History of M'illumino di Meno
On 16 February 2005, the day the Kyoto Protocol entered into force, Caterpillar came up with the idea to ask the audience to turn off the lights for a while as a statement of environmental concern.
Hence the name: M’illumino di Meno literally means “I light myself less” being a pun with Giuseppe Ungaretti’s famous poem “Mattina” (“Morning”), which, in its entirety, says “M’illumino d’immenso” (“Immensity fills me with light”).
Over the years, M’illumino di Meno has developed into an all-round campaign dealing with the news about global warming and climate change and promoting good environmental practices to cut pollution and optimize resources.
The wide success of the initiative prompted the Italian Parliament to declare 16 February the National Day of Energy Saving and Sustainable Lifestyles.
On the Day, Italian public authorities join M’illumino di Meno and simultaneously turn off the lights on the main squares and monuments, including the Colosseum in Rome, St Mark's Square in Venice and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. In past years some European icons, such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris and Trafalgar Square in London, as well as the European Parliament, also turned off their lights.
Hence the name: M’illumino di Meno literally means “I light myself less” being a pun with Giuseppe Ungaretti’s famous poem “Mattina” (“Morning”), which, in its entirety, says “M’illumino d’immenso” (“Immensity fills me with light”).
Over the years, M’illumino di Meno has developed into an all-round campaign dealing with the news about global warming and climate change and promoting good environmental practices to cut pollution and optimize resources.
The wide success of the initiative prompted the Italian Parliament to declare 16 February the National Day of Energy Saving and Sustainable Lifestyles.
On the Day, Italian public authorities join M’illumino di Meno and simultaneously turn off the lights on the main squares and monuments, including the Colosseum in Rome, St Mark's Square in Venice and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. In past years some European icons, such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris and Trafalgar Square in London, as well as the European Parliament, also turned off their lights.
Institutional support
Since 2017, M’illumino di Meno has been awarded the Medal of the President of the Italian Republic. It has received the patronage of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Senate of the Republic, the Chamber of Deputies and several Ministries.
To show their support for M’illumino di Meno, Italy’s highest institutions turn off the lights on the facades of their buildings. The Ministry of Culture promotes the initiative among museums, art galleries, archaeological sites and archives. The Ministry of Education and Merit encourages schools of all levels to participate.
M’illumino di Meno has received the High Patronage of the European Parliament, which also symbolically turns off the non-essential lights on the facades of its buildings in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg.
To show their support for M’illumino di Meno, Italy’s highest institutions turn off the lights on the facades of their buildings. The Ministry of Culture promotes the initiative among museums, art galleries, archaeological sites and archives. The Ministry of Education and Merit encourages schools of all levels to participate.
M’illumino di Meno has received the High Patronage of the European Parliament, which also symbolically turns off the non-essential lights on the facades of its buildings in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg.
Partnerships
M’illumino di Meno has established numerous partnerships over the years. In 2022, a collaboration with the Carabinieri Biodiversity Group of the Italian Carabinieri led to planting trees in school gardens. Since 2023, the Genoa Science Festival has developed specific M’illumino di Meno workshops to be carried out in schools by students of various ages.
Universities from all over Italy host lectures and scientific meetings, as well as recreational activities for teachers and students: these are coordinated by RUS (Italian Network of Universities for Sustainable Development). Many other research and education institutions are involved, such as planetariums: in 2024, PLANit (Italian Planetarium Association) decided to join forces with M’illumino di Meno, aligning the National Day of Light Pollution, which was previously held in October, with the National Day of Energy Saving and Sustainable Lifestyles.
Culture and science institutions such as the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei – where, in 2024, Caterpillar was broadcast live to launch the 20th edition of M’illumino di Meno – partner with the initiative. Nonprofit organizations like Intercultura, which promotes intercultural learning through student exchanges, and FAI, the National Trust for Italy, also collaborate with M’illumino di Meno. Finally, ASviS (Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development) engages its extensive network of members and allies.
Universities from all over Italy host lectures and scientific meetings, as well as recreational activities for teachers and students: these are coordinated by RUS (Italian Network of Universities for Sustainable Development). Many other research and education institutions are involved, such as planetariums: in 2024, PLANit (Italian Planetarium Association) decided to join forces with M’illumino di Meno, aligning the National Day of Light Pollution, which was previously held in October, with the National Day of Energy Saving and Sustainable Lifestyles.
Culture and science institutions such as the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei – where, in 2024, Caterpillar was broadcast live to launch the 20th edition of M’illumino di Meno – partner with the initiative. Nonprofit organizations like Intercultura, which promotes intercultural learning through student exchanges, and FAI, the National Trust for Italy, also collaborate with M’illumino di Meno. Finally, ASviS (Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development) engages its extensive network of members and allies.
Explore the evolution of M'illumino di Meno in our timeline.
Explore the evolution of M’illumino di Meno in our timeline.
M'illumino di Meno continues its path in Europe with a special episode of Caterpillar live from the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
For the 20th anniversary of M'illumino di Meno, Caterpillar also airs on TV on Rai2 for the first time.
On World Radio Day, Caterpillar is broadcast live from the European Parliament in Brussels: M'illumino di Meno spreads to Europe.
Caterpillar launches the 20th edition of M'illumino di Meno with a special episode live from the Accademia dei Lincei.
Caterpillar is broadcast live from Palazzo del Quirinale, the official residence of the President of the Italian Republic.
The Italian Parliament designates 16 February as the National Day of Energy Saving and Sustainable Lifestyles (Law 34/2022).
M'illumino di Meno supports schools in planting trees in their gardens in collaboration with the Arma dei Carabinieri.
We must undertake the ecological transition to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic as a better species: this is our "Species Jump".
M'illumino di Meno is awarded the Medal of the President of the Italian Republic for the first time.
M'illumino di Meno launches "Bike The Nobel" to nominate the bicycle for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti takes a picture of Italy switching off the lights from the International Space Station.
Museums from all over Europe join M'illumino di Meno. Among others, the National Gallery in London.
It is the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy: Caterpillar summons 150 mayors who commit themselves to sustainability.
The Eiffel Tower, the Vienna Ferris Wheel, Trafalgar Square, Edinburgh Castle and many other European monuments turn off the lights.
Italian symbols such as the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and St Mark's Square in Venice turn off the lights for the first time.
The Kyoto Protocol comes into force. Caterpillar asks listeners to turn off the lights: M'illumino di Meno is born.
Press Kit
Spread the word! The revolution starts with you!
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Download the press kit and share the campaign with your network.
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