The science of saving Venice

How will regions around the world adapt to an increase in sea levels? A project looking at how Venice can manage its rising waters is a remarkable case study for flood-prone environments elsewhere. Environmental sustainability can only be a 'whole-Lagoon' concept - Paul Linden When Canaletto immortalised the waters of the Venice Lagoon beneath the steps of the Doge's Palace almost three centuries ago, he depicted water levels that have long been surpassed. Today, the water sometimes laps at brickwork above the protective stone foundations on many of the buildings and the frequency of flooding of this World Heritage Site is increasing. A significant fraction of the world's coastlines is thought to be under threat over the next century from rising sea levels caused by climate-change-related melting of snow and ice, and thermal expansion of the oceans. How should regions plan, and how much time do they have? One way that Venice - a city with more than five centuries of flood experience - is protecting itself is through the ongoing construction of huge barriers with hinged steel gates to seal off the three inlets that connect the Lagoon with the Adriatic Sea at times of very high water. In addition, soft engineering approaches such as replacing lost salt marshes have also been undertaken. But, as for other regions of the world, the challenge is not one of simply trying to lessen the surge of sea water, as Professor Paul Linden explained: "Venice is a moving target.