• The Caspian Sea, the world’s largest inland body of water, is shrinking rapidly due to climate change and human activities.
  • Water levels began dropping in the 1990s, and scientists predict a potential decline of up to 21 meters by the end of the century.
  • Main causes are increased evaporation from global warming and reduced inflow from the Volga River due to dams and irrigation.
  • The decline is already affecting ports requiring constant dredging, fishing communities, and seal habitats.
  • In the northern basin, shallow areas are drying up, and some former seal molting sites are now dry land.
  • Along the Iranian coast, fish stocks have declined and coastal infrastructure like cafes now sit far from the water.

Sources & Links