Venice, June 3, 2025
VCW25 Day One
"We have three generations to save the world: Generation Z, Generation Alpha, and Generation Beta. Only you can create a new economic system."
With these words, addressed to ten PhD students present at the meeting at the new Sea Beyond Ocean Literacy Space in San Servolo, renowned American economist Jeremy Rifkin launched a powerful call to the new generations during the pre-opening event of the Venice Climate Week.
Unable to reach Venice due to a sudden family issue, Rifkin participated via video link. After engaging with the young researchers at Sea Beyond, he connected to the Procuratie, where at 3:00 PM, he delivered his passionate Lectio Magistralis in front of a packed room.
Before his speech, the following people spoke:
- Lucia Silva, Group Chief of Sustainability and Social Responsibility at Assicurazioni Generali
- Simone Venturini, Councillor for Social Cohesion, Tourism, and Economic Development of the Municipality of Venice
- Ekhosuehi Iyahen, Secretary-General of the Insurance Development Forum (IDF)
During his lecture, Rifkin explained the urgency of renaming Planet Earth to Planet Aqua: because water is not only a resource to be exploited, but the source of life and what makes our planet unique in the universe.
In line with this vision, the Mayor of Venice has already defined Venice as the first city of Planet Aqua, symbolically anticipating the paradigm shift invoked by Rifkin.
Following this, a debate took place between Carlo Barbante – Professor at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Francesca Santoro – Oceanographer and Programme Specialist at UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, and Antonio Navarra – President of the “Centro Euromediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici” (CMCC) Foundation.
