Italians are incensed at a meme featuring climate activist Greta Thunberg in flood-stricken Venice. The 16-year-old was photoshopped into a picture of flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice, where the climate activist stands waist-deep in water wearing a yellow coat with a challenging look on her face and a caption reading "I told you so".
I told you
— Spinoza (@spinozait) November 13, 2019
[@LughinoViscorto] pic.twitter.com/3aLMva6ITM
Netizens were outraged when the meme created by Luca Fancellu was retweeted by popular channel Spinoza, with some social media users saying that this is not the time for jokes.
Tweet: “You can also avoid sarcasm with such a dramatic situation”
Si può anche evitare il sarcasmo con una situazione così drammatica
— Andrea Fantini (@andreafantini7) November 13, 2019
Tweet: “It is not funny, you idiots
non fa ridere, imbecilli!
— marino coltro🚲⚓️ (@marinocoltro) November 13, 2019
Other users lambasted the authorities for failing to protect the city and its citizens. The so-called Mose Project, designed to shield the city from flooding using large barriers, has been underway since 2003. It has cost Venetians billions of euros and has been marred by scandals and delays.
Venice under water...A disaster... After the tragic flood in 1966 nothing useful has been done to prevent this to happen again. #saveVenice @GretaThunberg @ExtinctionR
— Leyla_Bragadin_DeAmicis (@BragadinLeyla) November 13, 2019
#veniceflood the #Venice administration denied climate change till yesterday. They boosted the cruise ship business and didn't build protection against the floodings.
— Flora #MotherEarth (@floracozzi) November 13, 2019
Despite the recent flooding having caused enormous damage worth hundreds of millions of euros and resulting in the deaths of two people it is not the worst in Italy’s history. A 1966 flood saw water levels rise to 1.94 metres, something that was mentioned by a few users, who also cautioned against stirring up hysteria about climate change.
Tweet: “Some would say same level as in 1966.
Qualcuno direbbe, stesso livello del 1966.
— Ermarluck (@ermarluck) November 13, 2019
Well, "Acqua Alta" in Venice is a very common event.
Shame on you for trying to drive clima hysterics with it. pic.twitter.com/P6fHriImnv
— LaurA 🦒 🇮🇹 (@MHrairoo) November 13, 2019
Venice has recently been hit by its worst flooding in 50 years, with waters peaking at 1.87 metres. Pictures posted online show water swamping centuries-old buildings, including the iconic Saint Mark’s Basilica. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said the city is “on its knees” and put the blame on climate change for the natural disaster.
