When the Earth fights back, it ain’t pretty. What could be worse than too much snow on Mt. Everest? How about too much water in Venice?

Venice is suffering from its worst flooding in 22 years. In the Renaissance city water stood more than 1.5 meter deep. Authorities worried that the sea lapping at the lagoon city would rise to 1.60 meters, a 30-year high mark. Residents and tourists were told to stay indoors. Nearly all the streets of Venice, including the central tourist district, were under water including the famous Piazza San Marco.

The situation was complicated by a national strike of the city’s “vaporetto” water bus service.

Experts say the high sea levels were caused by persistently high southerly winds and heavy rain and snowfall in northern Italy. Venice has been wrestling with the threat of rising sea levels. Presently, raising the buildings is the only option. The United Nations cultural organization UNESCO has already warned that Venice, one of its designated World Heritage sites, is threatened by climate change.

Maybe, it’s too late for Venice? Let’s hope not!

Images and video, courtesy of Daisuke Ido & Ethan Hein

I don’t particularly like the word ‘nature.’ I prefer the word creation. It’s all about my convictions. But, that’s not the point of this post. The point is when things get out of whack on our home planet, they can really get out of kilter. And, there is not a whole lot we can do about it.

A flood in southern China triggered cave-ins, landslides, and mudslides. The result was some 147 geological disasters and 1,980 people having their safety threatened. People died, transport, power and communications were disrupted.

Torrential rains hit 11 prefectures in cities throughout the area over the past few days causing landslides, more flooding and mud-rock flow. $108 million in damages.

There is not a whole lot we can do about it … except, we can take care of what we have. We don’t know when the Earth, nature, creation (choose your word) will fight back. In the meantime, let’s be good stewards of what we have been entrusted in.

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