Focus on making cities greener

This year the focus of Earth Day on 22 April is "green cities" and the quest to make urban spaces more ecologically friendly.

There are numerous events taking place in Rome to mark the 44th edition of the Giornata della Terra, including a photographic exhibition at the Museo Nazionale delle Arti del XXI Secolo (MAXXI).

Entiled Cambiamo Clima! the exhibition highlights climate change through images by well-known Italian and international photographers whose work depicts some of the "heroes" who have dedicated their lives to protecting the environment.

The exhibition runs at the MAXXI from 22-29 April and then in Piazza Garibaldi on the Janiculum hill from 1-11 May, before going on permanent display at the Centro Elsa Morante in the Laurentino district.

Earth Day was founded by US senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970 and is celebrated in 175 countries worldwide. The event is designed to raise awareness about the natural environment and how to conserve it.

For full details of Rome events see city website.