New Net Zero Speaks Episode Reveals Why Sinking Land, Rising Seas, and Disappearing Salt Marshes Are Reshaping Coastal Communities

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As sea levels rise and coastal lands sink, communities in low-lying cities and river deltas face risks that global sea-level averages alone cannot capture. Today, the Planet Classroom Network, in partnership with the Protect Our Planet (POP) Movement, announced a compelling new episode of the global series Net Zero Speaks featuring Professor Marco Marani, Full Professor at the University of Padova and Director of the Centre for Climate Change Impacts (CRITICAL).

Hosted by youth climate advocate Ivan Ransom and produced and edited by Gillian Cameron, the episode explores one of the defining questions facing coastal communities worldwide: What happens when the sea rises—and the land beneath us sinks?

For Marani, the answer begins with understanding "relative sea-level rise"—the combined effect of rising oceans and sinking land. The problem is particularly urgent in low-lying coastal areas such as Venice and major river deltas, where natural sediment compaction and human activity accelerate land subsidence and intensify flooding risks.

Throughout the conversation, Marani examines the vulnerability of salt marshes, the role of Venice's MOSE storm-surge barriers, the need to integrate engineering with biological and geological sciences, and why coastal communities must begin planning for adaptation now.

A Leading Voice on Coastal Climate Risk

Professor Marco Marani is Director of the Centre for Climate Change Impacts (CRITICAL) and directs the Water and Geological Risk Engineering Master's Program at the University of Padova – Rovigo Campus. His research focuses on extreme events in the global water cycle, sea-level rise, delta subsidence, salt-marsh resilience, and the vulnerability of coastal systems worldwide. A Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, Marani addresses a critical challenge for the future: how societies can protect coastal communities while preserving the natural ecosystems that defend them.

Why Salt Marshes Matter

One of the episode's most critical insights is the often-overlooked role of salt marshes and coastal wetlands. Marani explains that marshes reduce flooding from storm surges while supporting fisheries and local biodiversity. However, their survival depends on their ability to build elevation through sediment and organic material. As sea-level rise accelerates, this natural resilience is threatened; estimates suggest that approximately 50 percent of global marsh areas have already been lost to drowning.

The Venice Lesson: When Protection Has Consequences

Venice offers a compelling case study. Marani notes that while the MOSE storm-surge barrier system is essential to Venice's survival, every engineering intervention carries trade-offs. By blocking exceptionally high tides, MOSE prevents the natural accumulation of sediment that nourishes salt marshes. Marani emphasizes that engineering solutions must be informed by biological and geological processes to remain sustainable long-term.

A Roadmap for Coastal Leaders

Looking ahead, Marani urges coastal leaders to prioritize education, mitigation, and adaptation:

• Invest in Youth Education: Engage younger generations who are increasingly aware and driven toward solutions.
• Combine Science & Engineering: Use climate projections to guide nature-based solutions and infrastructure defense.
• Plan for Managed Retreat: Protect places that cannot retreat—such as Venice—while preparing other vulnerable regions for managed realignment.

"Net Zero Speaks gives young people the opportunity to hear directly from the scientists confronting the defining environmental challenges of their generation," said C. M. (Cathy) Rubin, Founder and CEO of Planet Classroom. "Professor Marani shows us that protecting our coastlines requires more than building barriers. We have to understand living ecosystems, plan for change, and act before climate impacts make our choices even harder."

About Net Zero Speaks

Net Zero Speaks is Planet Classroom's acclaimed climate interview series produced in partnership with the Protect Our Planet (POP) Movement. Featuring conversations between youth climate leaders and global experts, the series spans over 50 episodes exploring solutions, breakthroughs, and policy shaping the net-zero transition.

Watch the Episode

Net Zero Speaks with Marco Marani premieres today on the Planet Classroom Network YouTube Channel.

Learn More

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SOURCE Planet Classroom Network