RISING WATERS, FUELED IN PART BY CLIMATE CHANGE IS THREATINING THE VERY EXISTENCE OF VENICE

A majestic view of Venice (source: wix stock)

Often referred to as the "Floating City", Venice is facing an existential crisis due to rising waters. The combination of natural subsidence, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events has placed this historic city in peril. Climate change has accelerated these threats, making flooding more frequent and severe. Without effective intervention, Venice risks becoming uninhabitable.

Causes of Rising Waters in Venice

Venice’s vulnerability stems from a mix of natural and human-induced factors:

1. Subsidence – The city has been sinking for centuries due to the soft sediment it was built upon. Over the past century, Venice has subsided by approximately 25 centimeters.

2. Rising Sea Levels – Since 1900, the average sea level in Venice has risen nearly a foot, exacerbating flooding.

3. Extreme Weather Events – Climate change has intensified storms and high tides, leading to more frequent and severe flooding.

4. Human Activity – Industrial groundwater extraction in the 20th century accelerated subsidence, though this practice has since been halted.

Dangers Posed by Rising Waters

The consequences of rising waters in Venice are dire:

• Frequent Flooding – The city experiences "acqua alta" (high water) events more frequently, damaging infrastructure and disrupting daily life.

• Erosion of Historic Buildings – Saltwater intrusion weakens the foundations of Venice’s centuries-old structures, leading to irreversible damage.

• Threat to Local Economy – Tourism, a major economic driver, is at risk as flooding makes the city less accessible and damages attractions.

• Displacement of Residents – Many Venetians have left due to the increasing difficulty of living in a flood-prone city.

Proposed Solutions

Efforts to save Venice from rising waters include:

• MOSE Flood Barriers – A system of movable barriers designed to block exceptionally high tides from entering the lagoon.

• Raising the City – Scientists propose injecting water into underground aquifers to lift Venice by 30 centimeters, buying time for more permanent solutions.

• Sustainable Urban Planning – Restricting large cruise ships, improving drainage systems, and promoting eco-friendly tourism to reduce environmental strain.

Venice’s battle against rising waters is a race against time. While current measures provide temporary relief, long-term solutions are necessary to preserve this cultural treasure. The city’s fate depends on global climate action and innovative engineering to counteract the forces threatening its survival.

sources: edition.cnn.com economictimes.indiatimes.com www.ncesc.com.com