Baltic Sea environmental challenges in the 21st century
The Baltic Sea is one of the most affected seas in the world. Agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries, combined with the impact of climate change have led to high levels of pollution and eutrophication. BSR Policy Briefing 7/2023 focuses on reviewing the academic research carried out on the Baltic Sea region’s environmental problems since the beginning of the millennium. The writers aimed at identifying the main environmental challenges and scientific achievements for the region over the past two decades.
The search produced over 500 articles that were categorised according to themes. Pollution was the most common theme among these studies, eutrophication was the second most common and climate change impact was third. However, the themes have also changed over time.
2000–2005: The uniqueness of the Baltic Sea is recognized
In the early 2000s, research on the environmental problems of the Baltic Sea region intensified and became more multidirectional. The unique position of the Baltic Sea and the difficulties of solving environmental problems in this area was recognised by the scientific community. Pollutants, eutrophication and climate change were considered to be the main threats. The problem of eutrophication was closely connected to the development of agriculture and the fish farming industry in the region.
2006–2010: Time of policies and regulations
In 2006–2010, more studies were conducted on the general environmental policies and regulations in the Baltic Sea region. Measures for reducing the level of eutrophication in the Baltic Sea region were proposed. Following the start of construction of gas pipes in the Baltic Sea, more research was conducted on the environmental risks to maritime transportation.
2011–2015: Climate change research reaches its peak
In 2011–2015 the overall amount of environmental research had risen and climate change research for the Baltic Sea region reached its peak. Studies of the connection between climate change and eutrophication increased, also when preparing the new environmental protection strategies. Research on the role of international cooperation and non-governmental actors in achieving environmental targets in the region had intensified.
2016–2020: Microplastics and marine litter rise to the surface
In 2016–2020, environmental governance barriers and the application of measures to reduce anthropogenic load in the Baltic Sea were studied from different points of view. Microplastics and marine litter became one of the main areas of study. Even more studies were conducted on the history of eutrophication in the Baltic Sea. Two areas of study developed quickly: munitions dump sites as sources of contamination and maritime traffic emissions.
2021–2023: Multi-area approach develops futher
In 2021–2022 and the first half of 2023, environmental studies in the Baltic Sea region continued in the direction of a multi-area approach, evaluating various anthropogenic impacts. Plastic pollution studies remained at the top of the list, as well as the risk estimates for munitions dump sites. Eutrophication reduction and new methods for its evaluation continued to be a matter of concern.
Three main challenges remain the same
Vulnerability of the Baltic Sea was widely recognised by the scientific community by the end of the 20th century. New areas of study, such as microplastic contamination and the problem of munitions dumps sites, emerged during the period described. However, the three major challenges remained: pollution, eutrophication and the negative effects of climate warming. New directions in environmental research emerge with the development of scientific methods. A multi-area approach to environmental studies is gaining more influence than ever before.
