It is the largest inland sea in the world. Its 6,800 km of shoreline – the calculation dates from 2017, but the figure is decreasing – are shared by five countries: Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. It is also the shallowest sea: only 4 meters in some places, which contributes to its problems.
It is a mixture of pollution due in particular to oil exploitation, Russia’s diversion of the great rivers (the Urals and the Volga) for its dams and global warming, which have brought water levels to their threshold. the lowest in more than 40 years. The decline has accelerated in recent years. In June 2023the Kazakhstan authorities declared a state of emergency due to low water levels: the impact is being felt there on drinking water reserves and fisheriesas well as on biodiversity. In August 2024, the President of Azerbaijan would have described the situation as “catastrophic”.
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It’s gotten to the point where satellite photos now reveal differences visible to the naked eye. In the northern region, two bays have completely disappeared. A marine mammal unique to the region, the Caspian sealhas seen its population plummet from a million at the start of the 20th century to perhaps fewer than 150,000 today.
The partial disappearance of this sea is a real possibility when we remember the comes out of the Aral Sea1300 km away. It was once the 4th largest lake in the world, it is now barely visible in satellite photos. A study published in 2021 estimated that at this rate, the Caspian Sea will have lost a quarter of its surface area before the end of the century.
In theory, an agreement between the five riparian countries could slow down the process by establishing protected areas for fauna and flora, but for this they would also have to agree on a limitation of oil exploitation, and on a limit to the quantity of water that dams can retain. For the moment, the five countries have at most taken advantage of COP29 – the United Nations climate conference – to sign, November 18tha declaration where they commit to “strengthen regional cooperation” to face the decline of the sea.
Photo: Antartis / DepositPhotos
Countries to take more decisive action? What role can public awareness and engagement play in accelerating these efforts?
Hello and welcome to our special program on the Caspian Sea crisis. Today, we have with us two esteemed guests who will shed light on the serious matter of the Caspian Sea drying up and its environmental implications. Our first guest is Dr. Natalia Keefe, a leading marine biologist with extensive experience in the region’s biodiversity and ecology. Dr. Keefe, can you provide us with an in-depth perspective on what’s causing the Caspian Sea to dry up and the consequences of this phenomenon?
Secondly, we have Mr. Yuri Petrov, a senior water resource consultant from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with expertise in water management and conservation policies. Mr. Petrov, how can the Caspian Sea crisis be linked to Russian hydropower dams and global warming, and what roles do the riparian countries play in mitigating these factors?
Dr. Keefe, could you start by discussing the various factors causing the Caspian Sea to dry up? In addition to your insights, could you also explain the potential impact on the unique flora and fauna of the region, including the critically endangered Caspian seal?
Mr. Petrov, based on your analysis, how significant is the role of Russia’s diversion of the Urals and Volga rivers in the lowering of water levels in the Caspian Sea? Furthermore, what measures could be adopted to address the problem, considering the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region?
Dr. Keefe, there have been calls for joint action and protection of critical habitats by the riparian countries. How feasible is this solution, given their current political dynamics and competing interests? What alternative strategies could be explored to address the environmental crisis?
Mr. Petrov, given your background in water conservation, what are your thoughts on the potential for technology or innovative solutions to mitigate the effects of the disappearing Caspian Sea? Do you believe that scientific research and international cooperation could play a pivotal role in finding lasting solutions?
both of you, the Caspian Sea crisis has been brewing for decades, yet there seems to be a lack of urgency in addressing the issue. What needs to change for the international community and the riparian
