The historic lagoon city of Venice exists on the edge of a double threat: As it sinks, the seas rise. Damage to the City of Canals from the second-worst flood ever recorded was put at hundreds of millions of dollars. That would still leave exposed the lowest areas of the city, or about 12% of its area, including St. Mark’s Square. Climate scientist Stefan Rahmstorf of the University of Potsdam estimates that one-third of Venice’s increasing vulnerability is due to global warming, which has raised the sea level. Venice is being monitored for inclusion on a list of World Heritage sites in danger, which serves as a call to action to the international community.

Source: Los Angeles Times November 17, 2019 00:33 UTC