Flooding

Rivers can be used to combat the risks of flooding or drought, particularly in urban areas. But schemes can negatively impact the environment and water quality.

Drought and torrential rain exposed Italy to devastating floods last May. Inefficient administration, short-sighted politics, and an unstoppable appetite for urban sprawl are to blame.

Amitav Ghosh on world events from the Pakistan floods to the war in Ukraine and the challenges ahead for progressives.

Venice‘s changing relationship with the lagoon surrounding it could herald the decline of the city and its ecosystem.

The Polish government’s plans for Poland’s rivers would be disastrous – instead, control should be handed to communities.

The severe flooding which hit large areas of the Balkan region in spring 2014 highlighted serious flaws in the state response to such emergencies, as well as failures of environmental policy and planning. Fellow citizens and volunteers became a lifeline for those in need, as a result.