Environment: Venice Preserved

Venice—the magical city that Italians call "most serene"—has long been in deep trouble (TIME, Oct. 10). Pollution clouds the water in its intricate network of 160 canals. Its marvelous, airy buildings are crumbling. Worst of all, the entire city is gradually sinking into the Adriatic Sea. Can Venice be saved? For 27 months, the Italian Parliament debated, squabbled and compromised. But now, finally, it has taken firm action, passing a law that states: "The safeguarding of Venice and of its lagoon is declared to be a problem of pre-eminent national interest."

What...