In November 2019 Venice hit the headlines with the worst flooding in the city for over 50 years. This impacted on the art and architecture of Venice and highlighted the fragility of peoples' lives, homes and businesses. A huge question mark was placed on top of how to reconcile the precious ecosystem of the lagoon, the demands of the port and mass tourism (until the pandemic began). In 2020, the flood defence system started working on a trial basis but what does this mean in the face of the climate emergency, rising sea levels and more frequent extreme events? What will be the impact of climate change on artistic heritage in Venice and beyond? Does our fascination with Venice derive exclusively from its unique beauty and artistic heritage, or is it a microcosm of global challenges mirroring the world and carrying the fate of humanity?