The flooding problem: Venice in Peril’s Cambridge Research Project

In 2001, Venice in Peril, in collaboration with the Cambridge University Committee for Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies and Churchill College, Cambridge, embarked on a three-year research project directed at the flooding and environmental problems of Venice and the Venice lagoon. The project is being carried out in association with the Venice-based Consortium for the Management of the Research on the Venice Lagoon System (CORILA). We are particularly well suited to this purpose, as both Venice in Peril and Cambridge University are wholly independent of any political involvement in the issues. The project is modelled on the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change’s approach to global climatic issues in its aims: to provide objective assessments and scientific advice on the environmental issue of Venice; and promote widespread recognition of these problems. The intention is to supplement existing bodies (mainly but not exclusively in Italy) which have been tackling the environmental issues relevant to Venice, and to insert these issues in an international context. The first phase of the project will span the next three years and include a major international discussion meeting, scheduled to take place at Churchill College in September 2003.