A man walks across an arcade by a flooded St. Mark's Square on Dec. 8 in Venice following a high tide "Alta Acqua" event following heavy rains and strong winds, and the mobile gates of the MOSE Experimental Electromechanical Module that protects the city of Venice from floods, were not lifted. ANDREA PATTARO / AFP / Getty Images
Flood waters swamped Venice's iconic Saint Mark's Square on Tuesday, despite the implementation of a barrier system that was supposed to protect the city from the flooding events that are getting more frequent because of the climate crisis.
<p>The water level rose to a high of 4.5 feet above sea level in the afternoon, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/venice-flooded-as-new-8-billion-dam-system-fails-to-activate/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AFP reported</a>. This swamped St. Mark's Square, the lowest point in the city at only about three feet above sea level, as well as its historic basilica. </p>
<p>"The situation is terrible, we're under water in a dramatic way," the church's head procurator Carlo Alberto Tesserin told Italian media, as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/weather/2020/dec/08/venice-floods-as-forecasts-fail-to-predict-extent-of-high-tide" target="_blank">The Guardian reported</a>.</p><p>The flooding came despite the fact that the city had finally installed a system of retractable flood barriers called MOSE. However, the system failed to activate because of a mistaken weather forecast.</p><p>MOSE is designed to close its barriers before high tides of 1.3 meters (approximately 4.3 feet). However, Tuesday's tide was only predicted to rise to 1.2 meters (approximately 3.9 feet), instead of the 4.5 feet it eventually reached.</p><p>"The situation is really bad as we weren't expecting it," Matteo Secchi, head of the activist group Venessia.com, told The Guardian. "It's frustrating as we thought that with Mose this kind of thing wouldn't happen any more, but instead we're back to square one. It's the same old problem."</p><p>The higher than expected tide was also driven inward by stronger winds than predicted, according to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-news-floods-tides-92b6ec9b969a86acd13eb1764de2f25f" target="_blank">The Associated Press</a>.</p><p>"Unfortunately, the weather is freer than us. It does what it wants," Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro told The Associated Press.</p>
<p>In addition to flooding the church, the water also inundated some shops and businesses. The damage is not yet known, according to The Guardian. However, the flood is likely to put a further strain on shop or restaurant owners already suffering from a lack of tourism due to the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/coronavirus" target="_self">coronavirus</a> pandemic, The Associated Press pointed out.</p><p>The MOSE flood barrier was first designed in 1984 and was supposed to be installed by 2011, according to The Guardian. However, it was beset by corruption and delays. It was originally supposed to cost two billion euros, but the final price tag was seven billion, according to AFP.</p><p>The long-awaited barrier <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/venice-flood-barrier-2648098487.html" target="_self">successfully</a> protected Venice from an approximately four-foot high tide in October of this year. Its final installation came about a year after Venice <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/venice-flooding-2641326129.html" target="_self">experienced</a> its worst high tide in more than 50 years during November 2019, an event that Brugnaro blamed on climate change. There were only 10 "exceptional tides" in Venice between 1923 and 2000, but that number rose to 14 between 2001 and 2019, according to <a href="https://insideclimatenews.org/news/12052020/coronavirus-venice-canals-clear-climate-change-flood/" target="_blank">InsideClimate News</a>. The November 2019 flood covered more than 85 percent of the city and killed two people.</p><p>MOSE consists of 78 barriers and is designed to protect the city from up to 10 feet of flooding, according to The Associated Press.</p><p>Brugano emphasized that the project is still being tested, and that lessons from Tuesday's failures will be taken into account. He said that protocols would be developed to activate the system more quickly. For now, the city is working to activate the barrier to protect itself from a high tide of 1.2 meters predicted for Wednesday.</p><p>However, some say the barrier can only ever be a short-term fix for the problem of climate change. <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/sea-level-rise" target="_self">Sea level rise</a> is projected to swallow Venice by 2100 if nothing is done to lower greenhouse gas emissions, InsideClimate News reported.</p><p>University of Padua Maritime Construction professor Piero Ruol pointed out that even best-case-scenario projections for sea level rise would require the barriers to be shut more than six months a year, which would devastate the ecosystem of Venice's lagoon.</p><p>"Therefore, the MOSE can not be considered a solution that 'lasts forever' for protecting Venice from flooding," he told InsideClimate News, "and it is time to think of new solutions for solving this delicate conundrum, in the face of climate change."</p>
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EcoWatch Daily Newsletter
Record flood water levels in Venice hit again on Sunday making this the worst week of flooding in the city in over 50 years.
<p>Venice's tide office recorded the peak tide of 1.5 meters above sea level just after 1 p.m. local time UTC.</p><p>The new peak left 70 percent of the <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/after-the-floods-could-venice-lose-its-world-heritage-status/a-51271328" target="_blank">UNESCO World Heritage city</a> submerged on Sunday.</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/venice-third-exceptional-flood-makes-week-worst-on-record/a-51286635?maca=en-VAM_volltext_ecowatch-28485-html-copypaste" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Deutsche Welle</a>.</em><br/></p>
<p>Since records began in 1872, that level has never been reached even twice in one year. There is no other week on record where waters have reached the 1.5-meter mark three times in one week.</p><p>Usually, tides of 80-90 centimeters are considered high.</p><p><a href="https://www.dw.com/en/venice-fresh-floods-force-closure-of-st-marks-square/a-51264902" target="_blank">St. Mark's Square</a> — the lowest point in the city and home of the iconic St. Mark's Basilica — <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/venice-floods-st-marks-square-reopens-but-city-on-red-alert/a-51278731" target="_blank">was submerged again</a> and closed to tourists.</p><p>Museums and stores in hardest-hit areas also remained closed.</p><p>Hundreds of volunteers mobilized to help Venice's inhabitants and to protect iconic buildings in the city, which is world-famous for its canals, historic architecture and art.</p>
<p>Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, who has also been appointed special commissioner to deal with the emergency, pleaded with citizens not to give up hope, saying, "Venetians only get on their knees to pray."<br></p><p>Earlier in the week the city declared a state of emergency and ministers pledged €20 million ($22 million) to address the immediate damage.</p><p>Other parts of Italy also experienced severe weather during the weekend, with the river Arno in Pisa threatening to burst it banks.</p>
Why has Venice flooded?
<p>Experts say that Venice is both sinking into the mud it was built on and is at threat from rising sea levels due to <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">climate change</a>.</p><p>The flooding has renewed calls for the Mose flood barrier project for the city.</p>From Your Site Articles
- 70% of Venice Flooded by Highest Tide in at Least a Decade ... ›
- Veneto Council Flooded Two Minutes After Rejecting Climate Action ... ›
- Venice Flood Barrier Passes First Major Test - EcoWatch ›
- Venice Floods After New Barrier Fails to Activate - EcoWatch ›
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boonchai wedmakawand / Moment / Getty Images
Delta-8 THC is a cannabis product that has become a bestseller over the past few months, as many consumers find they can legally purchase it from CBD retailers. Its proponents say that Delta-8 THC will give you a nice little buzz, minus some of the more intense feelings (including paranoia) that are sometimes associated with marijuana.
Delta-8 THC is being marketed as a legal option for consumers who either don't live in a state with legal cannabis, or are a little apprehensive about how traditional psychoactive THC products will affect them. But is it all it's cracked up to be? Let's take a closer look, exploring what Delta-8 THC is, how it differs from other THC products, and whether it's actually legal for use.
<h2>What is Delta-8 THC?</h2><p>To better understand <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/27/health/marijuana-hemp-delta-8-thc.html" target="_blank">Delta-8 THC</a>, it helps to cover some basics about THC and cannabis.</p><p>Cannabis plants come chock full of different <a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>cannabinoids</em></a>. These are naturally-occuring chemical compounds that bind with receptors throughout your body. They can offer a wide range of mental, emotional, and physical effects; indeed, the healing and therapeutic properties marijuana or <a data-linked-post="2648563694" href="https://www.ecowatch.com/strongest-cbd-oil-2648563694.html" target="_blank">CBD products</a> offer can be attributed to cannabinoids.</p><p>One of the most common cannabinoids is what's known as Delta-9 THC. Simply put, this is the part of marijuana that gets you "high." It's worth noting that Delta-9 THC remains illegal in many states, except for in the most minute doses, and is still illegal at the federal level. CBD products are made with trace amounts of THC, ensuring that consumers can enjoy positive health effects in a perfectly legal way, without the risk of getting high.</p><p>On a chemical level, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/27/health/marijuana-hemp-delta-8-thc.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Delta-8 THC</a> is not too different from Delta-9 THC; the distinction comes down to just a few molecules. But those molecules make a big practical impact: Delta-8 THC will give you a buzz, but the psychoactive effects are considerably milder than with Delta-9 THC.</p><p>More specifically, many cannabis enthusiasts report that Delta-8 THC helps them feel good but also leaves them relatively clear-headed; and, it doesn't produce the anxiety or jitteriness that often characterize a Delta-9 THC high.</p><p>Additionally, because of the way the law is written regarding Delta-9 THC, some CBD companies now sell Delta-8 THC products in places where traditional cannabis is still illegal.</p><h2>What's the Difference Between Delta-9 THC and Delta-8 THC?</h2><p>Here are the primary differences to note between Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Delta-9 THC is the primary psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana. In other words, it's the part that gets you high.</li><li>Though some states have found workarounds, Delta-9 THC is still illegal under federal law.</li><li>Delta-8 THC is also found in the cannabis plant, though it's not quite as powerful or as well-known. </li><li>Delta-8 THC is milder in its psychoactive effects. And, it's not <em>technically </em>illegal under current law.</li></ul><p>These are just a few of the key distinctions to keep in mind. Delta-8 THC is popular among consumers who want a smoother high, and don't want to violate federal law.</p><h2>Is Delta-8 THC Legal?</h2><p>We noted that Delta-8 THC is not <em>technically </em>illegal. Here, we need to get into some of the nuanced legal considerations that surround this substance.</p><p>First of all, there are plenty of cannabis companies that actively promote Delta-8 THC as a legal way to get high. Again, that's technically true, but is still a point of debate for some.</p><p>For one thing, it's not explicitly listed as an illegal substance. While federal laws, and some state laws, specifically ban Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 THC is never mentioned. More to the point, though, many proponents will cite the<a href="https://www.usda.gov/farmbill" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> 2018 Farm Bill</a>. This law legalized several industrial hemp products on a national level, including CBD.</p><p>The Farm Bill also includes some fairly nuanced positions regarding THC. In summary, the law says that hemp and cannabis-derived products are legal so long as they contain less than 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC.</p><p>With that said, some lawyers contend that Delta-8's heyday may soon come to an end. That's because the Farm Bill clears it only so long as it's derived directly from hemp; most of the Delta-8 THC products sold today aren't made from hemp, but rather from synthetically-altered CBD.</p><p>Some of these issues are a little fuzzy, and <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/delta-8-thc-legal-weed-explained-1113859/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the legal future of Delta-8 THC</a> remains a little uncertain. For now, though, many experts would argue that it is legal to purchase.</p><h2>What Kinds of Delta-8 THC Products Are Available?</h2><p><em>Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.</em></p><p>If you're looking to try Delta-8 THC products, you'll certainly find plenty of different products. Dispensaries and legal cannabis stores currently have a trove of products that use this cannabinoid. Some examples include:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Vape cartridges, tinctures, and capsules.</li><li>Beverages made with Delta-8 THC, including some seltzers.</li><li>Edibles, including Delta-8 THC gummy bears, chocolate bars, and more.</li></ul><p>The cannabis industry has really been running with Delta-8 THC, finding creative ways to bring it to market. And chances are, even more products will be springing up in the weeks and months to come. </p><p>It's very important to note that you should only purchase Delta-8 THC products from reputable brands and established cannabis retailers. We do not recommend purchasing any products that contain Delta-8 THC from gas stations or vape shops. If you are looking for a reputable place to explore these products, here are a few brands that we trust and recommend:</p>
<h2>What are the Pros and Cons of Delta-8 THC?</h2><p>As you consider whether Delta-8 THC is worth your time, it may be helpful to weigh the pros against the cons.</p><p><strong>Pros</strong></p><p>Let's start with some of the positives:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Delta-8 THC does have psychoactive effects, but it's a milder effect than with traditional Delta-9 THC.</li><li>Delta-8 THC is currently legal and widely accessible in multiple states.</li><li>There are a wide number of products that use Delta-8 THC.</li></ul><p><strong>Cons</strong></p><p>Now, a few of the downsides.</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Delta-8 THC isn't quite as commonplace as other cannabis products, including CBD, and some of the options on the market are expensive.</li><li>While this substance is technically legal, there are plenty of uncertainties over its legal future. It's something you want to keep in mind.</li><li>As a relatively new product, Delta-8 THC products are not regulated by the FDA and there is not independent testing in place to verify that it is safe or pure.</li></ul><p>As with any cannabis product, Delta-8 THC has its pros and cons. As you seek the cannabis product that's best for you, it's largely a matter of personal preference.</p><p>Also note that smoking, vaping, or otherwise imbibing any kind of cannabis-related product can carry some medical risks and negative health consequences. If you have any specific concerns, we recommend consulting with your doctor before you try any Delta-8 THC product.</p><p><em><strong>Josh Hurst </strong></em><em>is a journalist, critic, and essayist. He lives in Knoxville, TN, with his wife and three sons. He covers natural health, nutrition, supplements, and clean energy. His writing has appeared in Health, Shape, and Remedy Review.</em></p>
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<p>The <a href="https://www.botanyfarms.com/product/delta-10-thc-vape-cartridge/?aff=14" target="_blank">Botany Farms Delta-10 THC Vape Cartridge</a> actually contains both Delta-10 and Delta-8 THC.This is designed to provide the desired effects of Delta-8 THC but without the drowsiness. They also offer a vape cartridge with a 1:1 concentration of <a href="https://www.botanyfarms.com/product/delta-10-delta-8-thc-vape-cartridge/?aff=14" target="_blank">Delta-8 THC</a> and Delta-10 THC. Note that while vape products can be used to aid in smoking cessation, we do not recommend vaping or smoking because of the negative health effects they can cause.</p>
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Veneto Council Flooded Two Minutes After Rejecting Climate Action, Councilor Says
15 November 2019
Climate
A flooded St. Mark's square (Piazza San Marco) during a new exceptional high tide on Nov. 15 in Venice, Italy. Simone Padovani / Awakening / Getty Images
The historic "acqua alta" that swamped Venice Tuesday night also flooded the Veneto regional council for the first time, just moments after it had apparently rejected measures to address the climate crisis.
<p>The council chamber, which is located on Venice's Grand Canal in the Ferro Fini Palace, began to flood around 10 p.m. Tuesday, <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/14/europe/veneto-council-climate-change-floods-trnd-intl-scli/index.html" target="_blank">CNN reported</a>. At the time, the councilors were discussing the 2020 budget for the northeastern Italian region of Veneto, of which Venice is the capital.</p><p>"Ironically, the chamber was flooded two minutes after the majority League, Brothers of Italy, and Forza Italia parties rejected our amendments to tackle climate change," Democratic Party councilor and environment committee deputy chairman Andrea Zanoni wrote in a Facebook post reported by CNN.</p><p>The League and Brothers of Italy are far-right parties, and Forza Italia is a center-right party, <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/venice-council-chambers-flood-moments-after-rejecting-climate-change-amendments_us_5dcddcb1e4b01f982efef03b?ri18n=true&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAC1nDeCLQrkax5gONQhGwLiQUL8R9ocQ27ZLKee3EJwkhH6FL1768LjQBqpAht4P4fHMNj1iMwBlQtPG5u5gpA1geqYETelTmswKx94ylHpo2O2FU8HapFj8kZvKyn97wHPVUUQfk1NTJJwUZ3M4JKPv8mQUtAUr1YU1I7CV_ojH" target="_blank">HuffPost explained</a>.</p>
<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7ce1a9a98ffd37ef0fe90ad76649d163"><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/andreazanonix/posts/10159116946155299"></div></div>
<p>The rejected amendments included plans to fund <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/renewable-energy/" target="_self">renewable energy</a>, replace diesel buses with cleaner and more efficient vehicles, replace high-polluting stoves and tackle <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/plastic-pollution" target="_self">plastic pollution</a>, Zanoni said.</p><p>Zanoni further said that Veneto regional president and League member Luca Zaia presented a budget "with no concrete actions to combat climate change," CNN reported.</p><p>Zanoni joined Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro in blaming climate change for Venice's massive <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/flooding" target="_self">flooding</a> Tuesday, according to HuffPost, though he acknowledged it was one of many factors responsible. The city saw its highest tide in more than 50 years when water levels peaked at more than six feet.</p>
<div id="eaca7" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="G1BCBW1576661137"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1195077075046215690" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">There are no words to express all this #VeniceFloods #ClimateEmergency https://t.co/Kufh6NhPqm</div> — Giovanni Antonelli (@Giovanni Antonelli)<a href="https://twitter.com/G_Antonelli_/statuses/1195077075046215690">1573763552.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>"If the voters of Veneto continue to close their eyes, Zaia's League will bring us all underwater," Zanoni said, according to HuffPost.</p><p>Regional council spokesman Alessandro Ovizach confirmed to CNN that the flooding occurred during the 2020 budget discussion, but did not specify which budget items were being addressed at the time.</p><p>But council president and League member Roberto Ciambetti disputed Zanoni's depiction of the council's actions on climate.</p><p>"Beyond propaganda and deceptive reading, we are voting (for) a regional budget that spent €965 million over the past three years in the fight against air pollution, smog, which is a determining factor in climate change," he said in a statement to CNN. "To say that we do nothing is a lie."</p><p>Ciambetti did acknowledge the flooding, and posted videos of it on his Facebook page.</p><p>"Never had such a situation occurred here (at the Council)," he told local paper Giornale di Vicenza, according to CNN.</p>
<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e9e94f087c856f75c2cc402899439d4f"><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/roberto.ciambetti/posts/10218056409594647"></div></div>
<p>The Italian government declared a state of emergency Thursday to help Venice recover, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/11/14/779479948/following-days-of-destructive-floods-italy-declares-a-state-of-emergency-in-veni?t=1573812918944" target="_blank">NPR reported</a>.</p><p>The flooding has also continued after Tuesday, though at lower levels. On Thursday, the high water mark came to three feet, eight inches, and rain is expected to bring more flooding to the city.</p><p>"It hurts to see the city so damaged, its artistic heritage compromised, its commercial activities on its knees," Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte <a href="https://www.facebook.com/383458618802776/posts/761739814307986" target="_blank">said</a>, according to NPR.<br></p><p>Flooding damaged almost a third of the city's raised walkways, destroyed hundreds of books in the Acqua Alta Library and filled the crypt of St. Mark's Basilica, causing major damage. The Teatro La Fenice opera house was also damaged, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/13/an-apocalypse-happened-venice-counts-cost-of-devastating-floods" target="_blank">The Guardian reported</a>.</p>
<div id="89833" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0OZEUO1576661137"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1194891139746320389" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">#AquaAltaVenezia Ecco la situazione marciana dopo l'eccezionale marea del 12 novembre scorso. Venticinque cm d'acqu… https://t.co/AVvQJzBDoQ</div> — Biblioteca Marciana (@Biblioteca Marciana)<a href="https://twitter.com/bibliomarciana/statuses/1194891139746320389">1573719222.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>"An apocalypse happened," Antonella Rossi, who owns a handmade jewelry store on St. Mark's Square, told The Guardian. "We haven't seen anything like this in 55 years. The water has destroyed everything, and I will have to redo so much – work that took a lifetime was wrecked in seconds."</p><p><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50416306" target="_blank">BBC News</a> meteorologist Nikki Berry explained how the climate crisis contributed to the historic flooding. While it is difficult to attribute any one <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/extreme-weather" target="_self">extreme weather</a> event to climate change, five of Venice's 10 highest tides took place in the last 20 years. Since Venice is sinking, it is especially susceptible to <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/sea-level-rise" target="_self">sea level rise</a>.</p><p>The storm surge that contributed to the flooding also shows the fingerprints of climate change, Berry explained:</p><blockquote>The weather patterns that have caused the Adriatic storm surge have been driven by a strong meridional (waving) jet stream across the northern hemisphere and this has fed a conveyor belt of low pressure systems into the central Mediterranean.<br><br>One of the possible effects of a changing climate is that the jet stream will be more frequently meridional and blocked weather patterns such as these will also become more frequent. If this happens, there is a greater likelihood that these events will combine with astronomical spring tides and hence increase the chance of flooding in Venice.</blockquote><p>Conte said the government would work to "accelerate" construction on the long-delayed Mose project, designed to protect Venice from flooding using a series of barriers, according to BBC News.</p>
<p><br/></p>From Your Site Articles
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Tourists wade through a flooded Piazza San Marco in Venice Monday. MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP / Getty Images
The worst flooding in at least a decade swamped Venice Monday as an exceptionally high tide covered around 70 percent of the iconic island city, the Huffington Post reported.
Venice is the Mediterranean World Heritage Site currently most at risk from flooding due to sea level rise, according to a recent study, and the city even has elevated sidewalks ready in case of high tides, but Monday's waters rose higher than the emergency sidewalks.
<p>The tide surpassed 5 feet, 3 inches, making it the highest recorded since 2008 and potentially the highest recorded since 1979, <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/30/europe/venice-flooding-intl/index.html" target="_blank">CNN reported</a>.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="4c30b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="LK0I411576663322"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="402839790863015936" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Wading through Piazza San Marco #veniceflooding @RichardKerbaj http://t.co/84nF5YhoxO</div> — Katie Gibbons (@Katie Gibbons)<a href="https://twitter.com/katie_gibbons1/statuses/402839790863015936">1384879465.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p>The high water didn't stop tourists from wading around famous landmarks like Piazza San Marco as business owners worked to keep water from entering their shops. Videos posted to social media showed waiters serving pizza in rubber boots, waves crashing against historic buildings and a jellyfish swimming up a cobblestone street.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="0cbcc" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="IJZNJ81576663322"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1057004142735097857" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">En ce moment ..
#Venise #Venice
#Météo #Weather https://t.co/UK0wzCbY4q</div> — Un Macaroni Ⓜ️ (@Un Macaroni Ⓜ️)<a href="https://twitter.com/UnMacaroni/statuses/1057004142735097857">1540844400.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p><br></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="45d99" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="Q9H48M1576663322"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1057018356186918914" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">En ce moment ..
#Venise #Venice
#Météo #Weather
#MeToo iWantPizza 🐙🍕 https://t.co/d4DwkE71Uk</div> — Un Macaroni Ⓜ️ (@Un Macaroni Ⓜ️)<a href="https://twitter.com/UnMacaroni/statuses/1057018356186918914">1540847789.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p>Runners in the <a href="https://www.huaweivenicemarathon.it/en/venicemarathon/news-vm-eng/read/989-cs-winners-vm" target="_blank">Venice Marathon</a> competed Sunday despite 'the worst conditions ever for the event."<br></p><p>The flooding in Venice is immediately caused by a low-pressure system that has also brought flooding, wind and rain to other parts of northern Italy. At least six people have died, and popular Roman tourist sites like the Colosseum and Roman Forum were closed, the Huffington Post reported.</p><p>Venice, however, is increasingly used to flooding because of a combination of incoming silt, <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-change" target="_self">climate change</a> and <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/methane" target="_blank">methane</a> gas drilling in the sea nearby that undermines its islands, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/International/venice-experiencing-worst-flooding-2012/story?id=58828272&cid=social_twitter_abcn" target="_blank">ABC News reported</a>. When tide levels lower to 110 centimeters (approximately 3.6 feet) on Tuesday, they will be at levels Venice sees about four times a year, CNN said.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="60360" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="21GLI01576663322"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1057007463000612866" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Relaxed dressing amidst Biblical flooding levels in Venice #veniceflooding https://t.co/UlnbOsVAyO</div> — Running Past (@Running Past)<a href="https://twitter.com/running_past/statuses/1057007463000612866">1540845192.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p>Venice has been working on an ambitious series of flood barriers since 2003 dubbed "Project Moses." The project features retractable gates that would block the entrance to the city's lagoon when tides are high, but corruption scandals and high costs have beset the operation, which should be completed in 2022 and has already cost around $6.5 billion, the Huffington Post reported.<br></p><p>But an article published in <a href="https://e360.yale.edu/features/rising-waters-can-a-massive-sea-barrier-save-venice-from-drowning" target="_blank">YaleEnvironment360</a> last year pointed out that the barrier, which was first conceived after a record-breaking 1966 flood, was only designed to withstand 1 foot of sea level rise, and some scientists think we could see 2 feet by 2050. </p><p>"After that, the sea will come in from other places to the north and the south. There is nothing we can do to stop it," project spokesperson Monica Ambrosini said.</p>
<p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="134e8" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="LM2U2N1576663322"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1009181566713712641" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Sea Level Rise Could Put 2.4 MIllion U.S. Coastal Homes at Risk https://t.co/WjKrpxfnoA @OneWorld_News @ClimateDesk</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/1009181566713712641">1529442609.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
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Lorenzo Quinn
A vital message has risen up from the Grand Canal in Venice. Two, 5,000 pound hands appear to be gripping the walls of the historic Ca' Sagredo Hotel echoing the warning of experts that say "The Floating City" could sink in as little as 100 years.
<p>Internationally renowned Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn <a href="https://www.halcyongallery.com/exhibitions/lorenzo-quinn-at-the-venice-biennale" target="_blank">unveiled</a> his new sculpture, <em>Support</em>, to serve as a call to "protect our planet" and "our national heritage sites." </p><p>"Venice is a floating art city that has inspired cultures for centuries, but to continue to do so it needs the support of our generation and future ones, because it is threatened by <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/">climate change</a> and time decay," Quinn said.<br></p><p>Experts say Venice and much of Italy's Adriatic coastline is at risk of disappearing from <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/sea-level-rise">sea level rise</a>. According to scientists from Italy and France, the Mediterranean will rise by up to five feet (140cm) before 2100, putting Venice and many other areas at risk.</p><p>The sculpture is in the shape of two childlike hands, modeled after his son's hands. Quinn hopes his installation will "speak to the people in a clear, simple and direct way through the innocent hands of a child" and send a powerful message that "united we can make a stand to curb climate change."</p><p>Quinn explained that he used hands to "symbolize tools that can both destroy the world, but also have the capacity to save it." The hands appear to be holding up the building, which draws attention to the fragile nature of the infrastructure and the impact climate change can have on the city.</p><p><em>Support</em> was unveiled on May 13 and will be on view until Nov. 26.</p><div id="b8d10" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="VVWYQ41495044324"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BUHT8oPFeSu/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;
word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Instagram post by Lorenzo Quinn • May 15, 2017 at 1:13pm UTC</a></p>
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