Caspian Sea Under Threat: Drying Amid Climate Change
Context:
As the world gathers for COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest enclosed body of water, faces a looming crisis. Human-induced climate change is causing its water levels to drop drastically, posing a severe threat to the region and beyond.
Caspian Sea Overview:
- Largest endorheic (closed) water body in the world, located in Eurasia.
- Borders Russia, Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan.
Primary Threat:
- Human-induced climate change is the major driver of the Caspian’s drying.
- Recent studies show the Volga River, which contributes over 80% of the water inflow, is seeing reduced runoff due to warming.
Hydrological Balance:
- 130 rivers flow into the Caspian, but the Volga, Kura, Ural, Terek, and Sulak rivers contribute the most.
- Snowmelt and precipitation in the Volga basin are crucial for maintaining sea levels.
Scientific Findings (1938-2020):
- Strong link between Volga River runoff and atmospheric precipitation until 2005.
- Post-2005: Decrease in runoff and warming has led to a 133 cm drop in sea level.
Wind and Evaporation:
- Changing wind patterns are critical. Hot, dry eastern winds from Central Asia increase evaporation, accelerating sea level decline.
- Northern winds bring cooler air and help raise sea levels.
Regional Impacts:
- President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin have expressed concern over the potential “catastrophic” shrinkage.
- Historical parallels with the destruction of the Aral Sea and the drying up of Lake Urmia in Iran.
Impact on India: The Caspian is crucial for Western Disturbances, which affect India’s climate. Its drying could have far-reaching consequences.
Conclusion:
The shrinking of the Caspian Sea is a critical issue for the entire region, with severe climatic and environmental repercussions. As global leaders gather in Baku for COP29, urgent action is needed to prevent a catastrophe that could mirror the devastation of the Aral Sea.