Venice Against the Sea outlines the serious weather and geologic factors that are conspiring to drown the city. Keahy delves into the factors of subsidance, the harmonizing of tide, storm, and wind, and the overarching threat of global warming as the primary threats to Venice. All of the above are mortal dangers to Venice because they are tipping the delicate balance of Venice and the Sea in the sea's favor.
On the front page of this morning's NY Time's was an article detailing the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (a U.N. body). The assessment does not bode well for Venice, flood gates or no. While the new report projected a modest rise in seas by 2100 — between 7 and 23 inches — it also concluded that seas would continue to rise, and crowded coasts retreat, for at least 1,000 years to come. In light of the immense physical forces arrayed against Venice, can the city ever believe it can win such a fight? Perhaps for a generation. Can you fight the ocean and win? Or as a Dr. Pollack asks, "Why are we fighting to save Venice". I think that is a great question to ask and something that we should discuss in class. Are we saving the art? Are we saving history? Are we saving our self confidence that our science and technology can master anything? I think it would be a great lesson illustrating the damage we are causing the planet if the ocean rose up in one 15' wave (not very big but it wouldn't take much) and washed Venice from the map. That is said a bit tongue in cheek but I'm also a little bit serious.
It was just announced that UC Berkeley was part of a team that was awarded a $500 million grant to explore alternative fuel sources. Apparently this is a big deal. $500 million dollars to figure out a way to curb carbon emmissions. Wow!!! That is sooooo much money. Well, maybe not so much when you consider that Venice is going to spend several billion just to save itself.
...but I can't wait to go.
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