Venice, Italy among the first cities sinking due to global warming.

In the city famed for its lagoons and canals, the renowned St. Mark’s Square now floods more than 100 times a year compared to 7 times annually a century ago. Some experts have expressed concern that Venice may completely disappear in the next century as global warming causes more polar ice melts and sea level rises. Elena Zombardi of the Consorzio Venezia Nuova, the committee appointed by the Italian government to protect the city, affirmed that Venice had long been experiencing the effects of climate change, years before many other cities.

As recently as November 2009, residents and visitors alike were seen donning boots as they had to walk on raised wooden pathways to avoid the high waters.

We are saddened to hear that the beautiful city of Venice may be lost to the effects of climate change.
Our prayers such treasured sites of civilization may be preserved through our united efforts of greater kindness towards Mother Earth. Speaking during a December 2008 videoconference in California, USA, Supreme Master Ching Hai spoke of global warming’s threat to human survival, while at the same time reminding of the one sure way to reverse its dangerous impacts.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: So many islands have sunk under water already. Many coastal cities’ land has been eroded. The cost of not doing anything is immense. I do not want to elaborate on this. I do not want to imagine it.