PLANET BUZZ
Alarming images show Venice’s famous canals running dry
Yet another proof that climate change wreaking havoc with the global ecosystem, time to act is now
Weather patterns are seeing a dramatic shift and the past few years have been a testament to that. Massive floods, uncontrolled wildfires, glacial melting and gigantic storms may just be the tip of the iceberg. Only recently, I write about ‘Freddy’ — the longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record. The flash point has now moved to Venice, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site comprised of 118 tiny islands linked by canals and bridges, which was built in the fifth century.
With its winding canals, stunning architecture, and rich cultural history, the city has been captivating visitors for centuries. However, this famous tourist destination has been in the news recently for a different reason — alarming images of its drying canals. A perfect storm of weather conditions, with an unusual winter heatwave and a severe shortage of rain and snow, is to blame for this.
The city’s canals, which are fed by a complex network of rivers and lagoons, are drying up, leaving boats stranded and tourists scratching their heads in confusion (pictured below). The water level in the canals has dropped so much that…
