This week, Southern Europe is experiencing extreme heat and sudden storms. Countries like Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece have seen temperatures climb above 40°C (104°F), while France has been hit by severe thunderstorms and flash floods.
Amid this extreme weather, Venice is in the spotlight as Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon, hosts his lavish wedding to Lauren Sánchez on a private island just outside the city.
What is Happening?
- Several major Italian cities, including Venice, Rome, and Florence, are under red alert due to dangerous heat.
- People are being advised to stay indoors during peak hours, and hospitals are on high alert for heatstroke cases.
In northern France, intense thunderstorms have damaged homes, flooded streets, and disrupted transport.
Why Venice? And Why the Backlash?
Bezos’ wedding has drawn huge attention, not just because of the celebrity guest list and luxury, but also because of the timing and location.
Here is why some people are upset:
- Private jets and mega yachts: Around 90 private aircrafts and several superyachts are reportedly being used for the wedding. Activists say this creates a massive carbon footprint, which is irresponsible during a climate crisis.
- Environmental hypocrisy: The event is happening during one of Europe’s worst heatwaves, and Venice itself is at high risk due to rising sea levels. Critics say hosting a flashy, high-emission event in such a fragile city shows a lack of awareness or care for the environment.
- Blocked public spaces: Locals say parts of Venice have been closed off for security and logistics, making life harder for residents and tourists. It feels like the city is being taken over for a private party.
- Wealth inequality and overtourism: Venice is already struggling with too many visitors, high rent, and climate damage. For many, a €40 million wedding is a tone-deaf display of wealth in a city that cannot handle much more stress.
These concerns led to protests with the slogan “No Space for Bezos”, where locals and climate activists called for better protection of public spaces and stronger action on climate change.
How This Affects People
- Residents and Tourists
- Many feel pushed aside or locked out of parts of their city due to the wedding.
- The intense heat is also putting public safety at risk, especially in crowded areas.
- Emergency Services
- Hospitals are seeing heat-related illnesses rise.
- In France, storm damage has overwhelmed first responders.
- Local Businesses
- While some businesses may benefit from high-profile guests, others say regular tourism has been disrupted.
Rising resentment may hurt Venice’s already fragile image as a livable city.
End Note
Jeff Bezos’ wedding is more than just a celebrity event. It has become a symbol of a bigger issue; how cities like Venice are being overwhelmed by tourism, environmental stress, and growing inequality. As Europe faces more extreme weather, many believe it is time to rethink how cities balance private wealth, public needs, and environmental responsibility.
The wedding might only last a weekend, but the impact and the debate could last much longer. What happens in Venice could set a precedent for how cities respond to luxury tourism in a warming world.
