The world’s largest inland body of water is disappearing

The Caspian Sea, the world’s largest inland body of water, is rapidly shrinking. This environmental crisis, fuelled by climate change and industrial activity, has sparked urgent calls for regional cooperation as water levels drastically drop, threatening local biodiversity and livelihoods. Unlike the global trend of rising sea levels, the Caspian is experiencing the exact opposite – a devastating recession of water at a rate of 6cm to 7cm per year.

The Caspian Sea drastically shrinking poses a significant threat to local eco-systems and economies. Covering 390,000 square kilometers, the sea is a vital resource for the five countries that border it, serving as a hub for energy production, food sources, trade, and biodiversity.

Notably, the Caspian’s decline is not due to rising sea levels – a global phenomenon experienced by most of the world’s coastal regions. Instead, it faces the opposite problem – rapidly receding water levels. In 2022 alone, Caspian levels dropped by between 6cm and 7cm. Since 1995, its levels in Azerbaijan have fallen by around 1.7m.

Climate change and industrial activities are major contributors to this environmental crisis. Rising temperatures lead to increased evaporation and reduced rainfall, while rivers flowing into the sea discharge less water. The Volga River in Russia, the most significant river flowing into the Caspian Sea, is particularly impacted.

The shrinking of the Caspian Sea has profound implications for local biodiversity and livelihoods. According to Rovshan Abbasov, a hydrologist based in Baku, “The Caspian Sea once provided more than 90 per cent of the world’s caviar and sturgeon resources. Today, that’s no longer the case.”

It’s not just the wildlife that’s taking a hit. In parts of Kazakhstan and Russia where the sea is naturally shallower, entire bays have dried up as the sea has receded between 30km and 50km. This has uncovered both treasures and scars of the past – a sunken ship was recently revealed in downtown Baku.

The situation underscores what Elnur Soltanov, CEO of COP29 and deputy energy minister of Azerbaijan, calls a global climate change issue: “The Caspian Sea is an indication of what is wrong with the climate at a global level.”

Predictions for the future remain grim. One estimate published in the Communications Earth & Environment journal suggests that the Caspian’s levels could drop by between 9m and 18m by the end of the century. For some areas, this means their waterlines could disappear entirely from view.

Regional cooperation is urgently needed to address this crisis. The Caspian Sea is pivotal for relations between Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan, and its deterioration could have far-reaching implications.

In the face of this looming disaster, Mr. Soltanov calls for united action: “Unless the international community takes action in terms of the climate crisis, you cannot save the Caspian.”

The drastic decline in the Caspian Sea’s water levels is more than just a regional environmental issue – it’s a signal of a global climate crisis. While the world grapples with rising sea levels, the Caspian Sea is experiencing the stark opposite, with its waters receding at an alarming rate. This paradox underscores the complexity and unpredictability of climate change impacts on our planet.

Industrial activity and climate change-induced temperature increases are major drivers of this crisis. The latter leads to increased evaporation and decreased rainfall, while reduced discharges from inflowing rivers, particularly Russia’s Volga River, exacerbate the situation.

The implications are far-reaching. The Caspian Sea is a major hub for energy production and trade for the five countries that border it. Its shrinkage threatens local economies, biodiversity, and livelihoods. For instance, it was once the source of over 90% of the world’s caviar and sturgeon resources. However, that’s no longer the case due to its rapidly receding waters.

The situation serves as a wake-up call for both regional and international communities. On a regional level, countries bordering the Caspian Sea must set aside political interests to collectively address this environmental crisis. On an international level, it underscores the urgency of tackling climate change head-on.

With COP29 climate talks on the horizon in Baku, Azerbaijan, Elnur Soltanov emphasizes that only collective action can save the Caspian: “Unless the international community takes action in terms of the climate crisis, you cannot save the Caspian.”

His words ring true beyond just this crisis. The state of the Caspian Sea is a stark reminder that climate change is not a distant problem; it has tangible impacts now and requires urgent action from all nations. The situation also highlights how interconnected our global ecosystems are – what happens in one region can have ripple effects on others.

As the world continues to grapple with the devastating impacts of climate change, the plight of the Caspian Sea underlines the urgency of collective action – not just for the sake of this one sea, but for all our planet’s ecosystems.

The plight of the Caspian Sea isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s a stark reminder of the urgent action needed to mitigate climate change effects globally. Its rapidly receding waters serve as a distress signal that climate change affects different regions in different ways, often with devastating consequences.

The upcoming COP29 climate talks in Baku represent a crucial opportunity for both regional and global forces to address this issue. The fate of the Caspian Sea hangs in the balance, but so too do countless other ecosystems around the world facing similar threats.

The question remains: can we rise to the challenge? The answer will not only determine the future of the Caspian Sea, but also the state of our planet for generations to come. As we reflect on the situation, it becomes increasingly clear that tackling climate change is no longer a choice – it’s a necessity. The receding waters of the Caspian Sea are a testament to this truth.

In an era where climate change is increasingly at the forefront of global discourse, we must recognize and respond to its far-reaching impacts. The decline of the Caspian Sea is more than a local catastrophe – it’s a wake-up call to the world. And it’s one we can’t afford to ignore.