The Science of Saving Venice
The Science of Saving Venice – Review
Venice is a city with a famous history but a very uncertain future. How to even have a future is the theme of this book. It presents a nontechnical type of the problem. Well, various problems. One is that buildings remain to subside into the silt. Another is the erosion of the wetlands around Venice. These act as a buffer against storms. Americans will note the resemblence to New Orleans. But the major problem is still hypothetical, though eventually becoming less so with each other year. Global warming. If sea levels rise by at least 8cm, or as much as 90cm, then we have a sticky wicket. Various solutions are fully explored in the book. Barriers prevent reduce flooding. But the cost can be enormous if sea levels rise and storms deteriorate in frequency and intensity. Overall, the book cannot be widely read with optimism.