Climate activists are turning Venice’s Grand Canal green

The activists descended from the Rialto Bridge over the central canal of the northern Italian city and poured dye into the water.

Climate activists in Italy have once again drawn attention to themselves with a stunning act: members of the group Extinction Rebellion dyed Venice’s famous Grand Canal green. Some activists descended from the Rialto Bridge over the central canal of the northern Italian city on Saturday afternoon and poured dye into the water, the group said on social media. Then the water in the canal sparkled green.

Visitors to the city, which is particularly popular with tourists, noticed that the water in the Grand Canal suddenly glowed green. Three activists from Extinction Rebellion hung above them and displayed a large poster reading “COP28: While the government speaks, we are hanging by a thread,” as seen in the photos. Spectators gathered on the Rialto Bridge during the event – ​​gondola drivers could also be seen paddling past taking photos with their mobile phones.

Protest against “ridiculous progress” at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28).

According to their statements, the activists poured fluorescein into the water, which is a non-toxic substance used in testing sewage networks. With this action, they wanted to protest the “ridiculous progress” made at the COP28 global climate conference in Dubai. “We are tired, tired of being deceived by our governments and knowing that our future is in danger while politicians do nothing,” she said in a statement.

The protest group also took action in other Italian cities. In Milan, for example, it painted the Naviglio Grande Canal – the city’s oldest and best-known navigli canal – green. But the group was also involved in operations in Rome, Turin and Bologna. (Abba)