Climate Activists Turn Venice’s Grand Canal Green in Protest

① Venice’s Grand Canal Turns Green

The iconic Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, turned green. Known as the “city of water,” Venice is famous for its tranquil waterways flowing between exotic buildings. The unexpected color change of the canal has sparked a buzz.

The green hue persisted for several hours, revealed to be the work of activists from the climate action group Extinction Rebellion. These activists released fluorescent substances into the water to urge action against climate change. They sprayed fluorescent dye into the canal to symbolize environmental disaster.

The climate action group clarified via X that it had sprayed a “harmless” fluorescein dye in the Venice waters. Not only the Grand Canal of Venice but also the Po River in Turin, the Tiber River in Rome, and several smaller rivers and canals turned green.

The activists didn’t stop at dyeing the Grand Canal. They also tied themselves to the railings of the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal with ropes and belts. They unfurled a banner as part of a performance that read, “COP28: While the government only talks, we are hanging by a thread.”

This is a critique of the lack of significant outcomes from the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Dubai, UAE.

The climate action group said, “The climate crisis is already having a disastrous impact on Italy.” They added, “Science says the situation will worsen, but politicians are wasting time with farce. We cannot remain silent as our future is sold to the fossil fuel industry.”

② Continued Misconduct by Climate Activists

Luigi Brugnaro, the mayor of Venice, was furious at the actions of the climate activists. The protest temporarily halted boat traffic on the Grand Canal, and he said that safety checks on the recently repaired Rialto Bridge’s supports are necessary.

He criticized the climate activists, calling them “self-proclaimed environmental activists, but rather environmental destroyers.” The mayor of Venice said, “Venice is a vulnerable city that should be loved and respected. That alone is enough.”

There was an incident in the past where Italian cities sued climate activists.

Last week, a climate activist vandalized St. Mark’s Cathedral in St. Mark’s Square in Venice for the same reason. They smeared mud and chocolate milk on the cathedral’s exterior under the pretext of a climate protest. At the time, the police detained six activists.

Climate activists poured a black liquid into the Barcaccia Fountain, one of Rome’s landmarks, in April.
The climate activists stated they took this action to oppose the use of fossil fuels.

The Italian government believed that “the actions of activists who damage cultural heritage under the pretext of alerting to the seriousness of the climate crisis have crossed the line.” They added that they are considering a bill to make climate activists bear the enormous costs of restoring cultural heritage.

③ From Rising Sea Levels to Foundation Erosion

The Grand Canal in Venice is sinking due to rising sea levels and foundation erosion. In August, UNESCO recommended listing Venice on the World Heritage in Danger list, stating that the Italian authorities should protect Venice and its lagoon, built on 118 small islands.

UNESCO announced that Venice had experienced irreversible harm because of ongoing urban development, the impact of climate change, and the substantial influx of tourists, alongside other human interventions. The statement further noted that these persistent issues had already deteriorated the distinctive qualities and features that define Venice.

Two years prior, UNESCO had recommended that Venice be classified as a location in danger. During that period, it conveyed the necessity for the government to take measures to safeguard sites deemed of universal significance to humanity. However, the World Heritage Committee had rejected this recommendation. UNESCO criticized the Italian authorities for failing to implement specific measures promoting sustainable tourism.

Venice is experiencing continuous problems due to weather anomalies. With heatwaves, the temperature in Venice soared to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, potentially exposing cultural assets to secondary dangers such as fires. In February, a severe drought made it impossible for gondolas and water taxis to pass through the canals.

Venice is a world-renowned tourist destination, attracting over 3.2 million tourists annually. Even the residents are appealing against overtourism. They are not welcoming tourists, begging them not to visit.

By. Han Mia