newsCountdown to save Venice begins now
The future of one of the world’s best known and most loved cities is threatened. (Picture; Trevor Grundy)
Rising sea levels could wipe out one of the most precious jewels in the European crown. TREVOR GRUNDY reports
Researchers at the University of Salento in southern Italy say that some of the most historic sites in Venice will have to be relocated, or lost to mankind over the next two to three hundred years.
In a just released study abut the problems facing Venice, the report said: “Under extreme sea level rise, relocation of monuments to suitable inland areas and abandonments would be the only strategy which might become unavoidable in the 22nd century under current climate policies and an Antarctic ice-sheet collapse.”
The report was published in the journal ‘Scientific Reports’.
It stressed other ways of saving Venice, including building a “super levee.”
The cost would be staggering.
Venice, with St Mark’s Square in the foreground. In the background, homes of people who live and work in Venice. But many are now second homes for rich foreigners. (Picture: Trevor Grundy)
Venice is built on top of 120 small islands criss-crossed by 177 canals and over 400 bridges.
But now all of that might have to be moved if this floating city and its priceless treasures can survive.
To move most of the city to safer ground would cost something in the area of £87 billion.
Scientists campaigning to make the public aware of what is happening say that relocation will be required if sea levels rise beyond 4,5 m (15 ft) which is predicted to occur in just a few years .
Rising water is now a bigger threat to Venice than than anything the Mafia might plan to do in years to come (Picture: Trevor Grundy)
In worst case scenarios sea levels could rise by up to 7 m (23 ft) over the next 300 years.
Venice is no stranger to floods.
It has experienced 18 extreme floods over the last 23 years. One of the worst was in 2019 when St Mark’s Square was covered in seven feet of water.
The tide peaked at 6ft above sea level, submerging more than 80 percent of Venice