Venice's Climate Crisis: From Perceived Apocalypse to Transformative Heritage
Morris predicted Venice would never become submerged due to climate change, but she underestimated the timeline. Scientists now predict Venice could be underwater by 2100. Despite Venice’s sinking, its MOSE flood barriers saved it from a 50-year high tide in 2022. However, the system is expensive and requires frequent use. Researchers Erin Seekamp and Eugene Jo argue that preserving all World Heritage sites 'in perpetuity' is 'fiscally impossible.' Instead, resources could be used to relocate residents or protect natural heritage, like Venice’s lagoon ecosystem. The concept of 'transformative continuity' suggests damaged sites can serve as memories and deterrents for future climate impacts. Examples include the Gardens of Ninfa in Italy, where ruins have become thriving ecosystems. Heritage sites should be viewed as continuously evolving, avoiding labels like 'endangered' that increase tourism pressure. Venice’s cultural and economic significance means it shouldn’t be a sacrificial lamb, but adopting flexible heritage management can help address climate challenges.