‘City of Water’ too true to its name

Despite the flood barriers under construction to protect Venice, a new study suggests that by century’s end, they may be useless. Currently, Venice experiences “high water”—tides about 110 cm—about four times annually. But based on forecasts of how much global sea levels will rise, scientists at the Institute of Marine Sciences predict that by 2100, high water conditions could occur up to 250 days per year. Because of this, the city’s defence system, scheduled for completion in 2014, will have to be raised, and may cease to be effective.

New Scientist