last month, 28 meter long 18th century wooden shipwreck discovered Off the coast of Mazandaran in the Caspian Sea, southern Iran. Operating under Russian influence, the ship was likely part of a merchant fleet carrying plant cargo such as buckwheat grown along the Volga River. This fascinating archaeological find sheds light on the boundaries between ancient and modern trade practices, and was only made possible by unprecedented environmental destruction and sea level changes..
The Caspian Sea has long demonstrated the complex relationship between nature and civilization. For centuries, they have provided food, shaped culture, and anchored economies throughout the region. But now this vital body of water is facing an unprecedented crisis. Coasts are receding, ecosystems are collapsing, and communities are struggling to adapt to profound and rapid change. Once a symbol of resilience and abundance, it now highlights humanity’s global failure to address its impact on the natural world.
harbinger of disaster
Evidence of the crisis is particularly evident for people living along Kazakhstan’s northeastern coast, where communities face dwindling water resources and severe pollution. Over the past 20 years, the water level of the Caspian Sea has fallen by nearly 2 meters. coastline retreat In the shallowest areas of Kazakhstan, it can reach up to 18 kilometers. Rising global temperatures and decreasing inflow from the Volga River, the supply source 80 percent Freshwater from the ocean is accelerating this trend.
Research shows that if current patterns continue, the Caspian Sea will I might lose By 2100, it will reach 34 percent of its surface area and 18 meters deep, rendering vast stretches of shallow coastal land uninhabitable and devastating the livelihoods of more than 10 million people living along the coast. Many of them depend on the sea for fishing and fisheries. trade industry. The once prosperous port is now coastal areas etc. Mangystau, Kazakhstan, In preparation for further sea level changes, contingency plans are in place, including changing logistics routes, relocating ports, and adapting infrastructure.
Galina Chernova, director of Globus, an NGO based in Atyrau, Kazakhstan, focused on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development (and a partner of the Save the Caspian Campaign), lives and works on the front lines. I am. Our entire community. The ocean has always been our lifeblood, and now we’re watching it disappear. ”
These challenges are further exacerbated by the impact of large-scale oil and gas extraction. Tengiz oil field that created records 699,000 barrels of oil daily In early October last year, and environmental debatecontributing significantly to habitat destruction and pollution. These record numbers are only going to increase, and Tengiz production is set to skyrocket. 850,000 barrels/day In early 2025. the study Heavy metal contamination, such as mercury and cadmium, is present in water and soil and has been found to be rapidly increasing around oil extraction facilities. This toxic legacy threatens marine biodiversity, including the Caspian seal, whose population is listed as endangered. I declined Over the past century, the number has increased by more than 95 percent to fewer than 70,000.
Environmental impacts cannot be separated from human costs. Communities that rely on fishing have seen their catches decline, and some species have become completely extinct due to habitat loss and pollution. In the International Unit for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) 2022 Red List assessment, all five species of Caspian sturgeon, except the short sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus), were classified as: endangered species. Coastal cities like Eitlau, once dependent on tourism and maritime trade, are facing economic collapse as the receding coastline makes it difficult to operate ports.
Public health is also at risk. the study Researchers link exposure to contaminated water, effluents and soil to increased rates of cancer and respiratory diseases in local populations, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive interventions . The situation is particularly dire in the village of Berezovka, located just five kilometers from the Karachaganak oil and gas condensate field. Residents have reported migraines, dizziness, hair loss, anemia and poor vision, which they attribute to exposure to toxic fumes from nearby oil operations. Numerous health studies Confirming the presence of 25 toxic chemicals in the air around Berezovka, villagers fight for the right to health and justice, demanding relocation and compensation due to the serious health effects of industrial pollution. are.
Governance of the Caspian Sea is as complex as its ecosystem. The coastal states of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan have not yet established a unified framework for sustainable resource management. Existing agreements are often undermined by competing national interests, leaving the region’s ecological future uncertain. Although the 2018 Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea has made progress, it lacks enforceable environmental protections. Many of the contracts governing oil extraction date back to the 1990s, when environmental oversight was minimal. These agreements need urgent revision to bring them in line with modern standards and address growing climate risks.
The Tehran Framework Convention on the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea and its Protocols provide an important legal basis for cooperation on environmental issues. However, the effectiveness of this treaty remains limited by poor implementation and the lack of binding commitments between coastal states. Protocols under the Convention, such as those relating to oil pollution incidents and pollution from land-based sources and activities, provide a framework for action, but lack strong enforcement mechanisms. The region’s ecological challenges require a more proactive approach that strengthens these existing agreements and ensures that environmental protection is prioritized alongside economic development.
Vadim-ni on the Caspian Sea coast. Photo credit: Author provided.
path to solution
The unique geography of the Caspian Sea requires regional cooperation. Caspian Sea coastal states must prioritize long-term ocean health over short-term economic gains. Establishing a local environmental task force can provide oversight and enforce sustainable practices. Additionally, pressure from multilateral organizations and advocacy groups could play an important role in holding companies accountable and promoting stricter regulatory frameworks. International partnerships, such as those promoted by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), could provide technical expertise and funding for restoration projects.
The plight of the Caspian Sea is not an isolated problem. It represents a global struggle to balance environmental management and economic development. of cleaning Research on Europe’s Rhine shows that even heavily polluted waterways can be restored through a coordinated international effort. Similar efforts should focus on pollution reduction, habitat restoration, and investment in renewable energy to provide alternatives to fossil fuel extraction, while ensuring transparency in oil extraction and accountability for extractors. There is.
The newly established Save the Caspian Sea campaign brings together regional organizations and activists into one body to tackle these multifaceted challenges and promote transparency, accountability and sustainable practices. The purpose is Transparency is a key priority. Companies operating in the region must disclose the environmental impact of their activities, and independent audits are essential to ensure compliance with international standards. Rigorous environmental assessments must be conducted prior to new industrial projects and must include input from the community to reflect their needs and concerns. Inclusive governance is not just a moral obligation, but a practical necessity for sustainable solutions.
For thousands of years, the Caspian Sea has been the cradle of civilization, a treasure trove of unique biodiversity, and an important economic resource. Succumbing to industrial exploitation and climate aridity would be an irreversible tragedy. This is not just an environmental issue. It is a serious moral challenge that future generations cannot forget or forgive. The region is at risk of a second, much larger Aral Sea disaster.
Time is of the essence. Decisions made today will shape the future of the Caspian Sea and the millions of people who depend on it. Through collective action and unwavering commitment, we can reverse the tide of destruction and preserve this vital ecosystem for future generations. Otherwise, marine training in the Caspian Sea will be limited to archaeologists.
