The Science of Saving Venice
The Science of Saving Venice – Review
I have never been to Venice, nor did I manage to visit New Orleans before Katrina practically removed it entirely, but the plight that both of them were doomed to from their birth absorbs my environmental mind. Both cities were founded in wetlands out of some necessity. Both have barely survived until now because of constant absent-mindedly fiddling with nature, although a large portion of each city’s population has given up on the difficulties of possibly living there. Through the years, many attempts to engineer survival have eventually turned out to be disastrous for both cities. The solution to now let them go is not acceptable for all of us who appreciate their influence on world culture. This book relates the account of Venice and its attempts in the past, present and future to save a national treasure. Its concepts relate equally well to New Orleans. The book systematically tells the historical, economic, geological, geographical, biological and meteorological reasons that Venice is slowly sinking into the Adriatic sea. But it also tells about the attempts to save it, some of which have been disastrous, some have yet to be attempted. Certainly those who are planning the rebuilding of New Orleans should consult the scientists who are trying to save Venice. The authors describe the problems and solutions to the usually lay reader currently using more than 100 color illustrations – drawings, artwork, photography and diagrams – and just enough words to explain each concept on a separate page spread. Now I have a intense desire to investigate the lagoons around Venice and the city itself before it is eventually lost.