The Baltic Sea is not only an element of our identity. It is a good that we should take special care of. How do we do it? Not particularly… It’s a sensitive sea. Including. Because they are characterized by low salinity and difficult access to ocean waters. But it is not the geographical conditions of the Baltic Sea that cause him difficulties. The truth is that the biggest problem of the Baltic Sea is… man.
It is us who have contributed to the fact that the following are listed as the greatest threats to the Baltic Sea:
- increasing area of dead zones,
- lack of effectively managed marine protected areas;
- ghost nets,
- the negative consequences of unsustainable fisheries for marine nature.
Today, the Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted seas in the world. It is a reservoir that undergoes enormous eutrophication, i.e. fertilization. The sea under great pressure from climate change; And finally, the sea, which, although not dying, needs our care and active action to remain as close as possible to the form we know.
In 2021, HELCOM (Helsinki Commission – Commission for the Protection of the Baltic Marine Environment) adopted an updated Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP).
It applies to m.in. biodiversity, eutrophication, hazardous substances, climate change, marine litter, shipping and fisheries. It contains about 200 specific actions to be taken to protect the Baltic Sea. All of them are to be implemented by 2030 at the latest.
The fate of the Baltic Sea also depends on us. Our day-to-day decisions (including holiday decisions) and our lifestyles have an impact on the fragile marine ecosystem. Let’s make our sea still as beautiful as you see it in the Olivia Star exhibition. What can we do to improve the condition of the Baltic Sea? Let’s be aware, responsible and more eco-friendly.
Let’s produce less waste:
- let’s reduce the use of plastic (and preferably give it up); plastic is one of the most troublesome problems in the Baltic Sea (and beyond);
- make informed purchasing decisions – buy only as much as you need;
- segregate rubbish carefully;
- Let’s try to give waste a second life.
Let’s reduce our daily water consumption:
- do not turn on the water fully when it is not necessary;
- turn off the water in moments (even short ones) when it is not being used;
- take a shower instead of a bath;
- use rainwater (e.g. for watering flowers);
- Start the dishwasher only when it is full and use the “eco” programs.
Let’s take care of our ecosystem:
- let’s check where our fish comes from and whether it is not threatened with extinction – some fish available in stores are protected and may come from illegal fishing;
- pay attention to the composition of clothes and choose those that are made of natural fabrics;
- let’s get involved in cleaning up forests, beaches, rivers and lakes;
- Let’s plant trees.
Let’s reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere:
- Instead of a car, we should more often choose a bike ride or public transport;
- choose products with energy efficiency class A;
- turn off unused electronic devices;
- Let’s use heating and cooling rationally.
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