Venice, the Caribbean and New York: the storms that blew away rationalism

Following weeks of high flooding in Venice, the Caribbean and New York, the article below was published by Spiked-Online on 19 November 2012. You can click on this link to the original publication: The storm that blew away rationalism The storm that blew away rationalism The belief that recent storms were caused by climate change … Continue reading

Venice: a shifting metaphor for the human condition – article on Spiked-Online

This article is an edited extract from my book Venice in Environmental Peril? Myth and Reality (2012). The article was published on 27 January 2012 and can be read by clicking on the link below: Venice: a shifting metaphor for the human condition The article is adapted from the book’s conclusion, so is not exactly … Continue reading

“Planetary alarm” for an “ecological disaster” in Venice?

The environmental group Italia Nostra (Our Italy) dramatically declared impending catastrophe in Venice during a national press conference on 4 July. Cristiano Gasparetto, a member of the board for Italia Nostra’s Venice chapter, announced that Venice risks becoming an “ecological disaster.” Alessandra Mottola Molino, Italia Nostra’s President, explained that “We need to launch a planetary … Continue reading

Paradise Lost and climate sustainability

In John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost, the angel Michael shows Adam a vision of the Great Flood that God will send to punish the wickedness of his creation: man. Will Venice, Rotterdam, Boston, south-west Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan and Burma be the victims of this prediction as global sea levels have risen over the last … Continue reading

Coast Cities in the Fight against Climate Change

As part of the five day conference ‘Coast Cities in the Fight against Climate Change’ at Barbarigo della Terrazza Palace, Venice, I am giving a lecture about Venice and climate change. My lecture takes place at 2:30 PM on 4 May 2011 and will be followed by discussion. If you cannot come, but would like … Continue reading

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    The banner image displayed at the top of each page on this website is adapted from the painting 'Ancient and Modern' by Patrick Hughes. I would like to thank him for generously offering this painting for use on this website.