‘We can’t wait’: Venice already seeking floods plan B five years after barriers’ launch

Key Points:

• The Mose flood defence system, housed in Venice’s historic Arsenale shipyard, has successfully prevented flooding 154 times since its 2020 inauguration, protecting the city from storm surges known as acque alte.
• Rising sea levels due to climate change threaten to overwhelm the Mose, with projections suggesting it would need to be closed around 200 times a year by century’s end, severely damaging the lagoon’s ecosystem and Venice’s natural water exchange.
• Despite Mose’s effectiveness, city authorities and scientists are already seeking alternative solutions, as the current system’s frequent use harms marine life and could transform the lagoon into a stagnant environment.
• The Mose project faced decades of delays, corruption scandals, and public skepticism before becoming operational, but it is now considered vital by Venetians who have grown accustomed to its protection against flooding.
• Plans for the future include a global call for multidisciplinary ideas to redesign Venice’s flood management and economy, emphasizing that preserving the city requires innovative approaches beyond engineering and science alone.