My live TV interview on TRT World News on the day large cruise ships were banned from the centre of Venice. This ban reveals this unelected Italian government cares more about UNESCO threats and its international reputation than Venetians
VID_20210801_183329.mp4 Click on the play symbol in the picture on the left to watch the interview. On 13 July 2021, the Italian government cabinet passed a decree banning ships of more than 25,000 tonnes, higher than 35 metres and longer than 180 metres from navigating down the Giudecca Canal in the centre of Venice from … Continue reading
The return of foreign tourists to Venice is an opportunity for revival.
The return of foreign tourists to Venice is an opportunity for revival. While walking the alleyways of Venice in May 2020 just after the severe COVID-19 lockdown had ended, I was shocked by how many shops, restaurants and hotels were closed. Although I predicted (https://www.spiked-online.com/2020/03/27/italys-lockdown-has-been-a-recipe-for-disaster/) lockdowns in Italy would cause economic devastation, I was amazed … Continue reading
Italy’s government decrees on shipping and cruise ships in Venice include more poor decision-making
Were the government decrees on shipping and Venice issued late on 31 March 2021 and on 1 April 2021 rushed through before the Easter break? When I read about them on 1 April, I thought they were April Fools’ Day jokes. The decree issued on 31 March calls for public consultations and sanctions €2.2 million … Continue reading
Venice raises all ‘MOSE’ mobile dams to block its lagoon from the sea for the first time, despite protests and problems
On 10 July 2020, for the first time ever, Venice’s lagoon effectively became an artificial lake temporarily. This great feat of engineering was achieved by raising all 78 mobile floodgates at the three inlets between the lagoon and the Adriatic Sea. These had all previously been raised during past tests, but this was the first … Continue reading
June floods in #Venice, but these follow the first closing of two inlets with mobile dams
Venice is experiencing rare June flooding after heavy rain and strong winds, which are unusual in the Veneto region at this time of year. On the evening of 4 June 2020, the water level reached 116 cm on the city tide gauge and people waded around a flooded St. Mark’s Square as can be seen … Continue reading
The #coronavirus or #COVID19 outbreak in #Italy has been met by a risk-averse, fearful panic. Instead of banning direct flights, closing schools in non-affected areas, a rational management response is needed. My comments on @SkyNews daily podcast
While it is logical to lock down areas (mostly in the Lombardy region like Codogno, plus Vo’ Eugeneo) with multiple cases of coronavirus, it is irrational to close schools, universities, museums, monuments and companies in areas without cases of the virus. Many of these institutions have been closed until 1 March 2020 in 5 regions … Continue reading
Now people in Venice are tracked by 34 sensors around the city using cell phone data; the end of freedom and privacy!
Regulated Carnival! Remember when Carnival was known as an opportunity for free experimentation with the anonymous protection of a mask? This year, for the first time, you are being tracked if you have a cell phone! Venice City Council has installed 34 sensors around the city which will use cell phone data to track your … Continue reading
Venice’s floods are not signs of a ‘climate apocalypse’. My article on the problems faced by #Venice and the nearby area published by @spikedonline.
While Venice and the surrounding area have suffered badly from flooding over the last two weeks, there has not been apocalyptic devastation. Moreover, although climate change has been a cause of rising sea levels and contributed to the flooding, subsidence has been a major cause too. As I set out in the article published on … Continue reading
Doomsday in #Venice|If we built it today. My comments and others in TV programme on Discovery Science, SKY Vision. After the recent high floods, a timely reflection on different responses.
This programme examines how Venice was built, its unique environment, problems with flooding and sinking and some possible responses. In addition to the MOSE mobile dam project, there are discussions about replicating, moving and pumping Venice up or a combination of these measures. It was broadcast on the Discovery Science channel in the USA … Continue reading
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