The Caspian Sea's water level is rapidly declining at an alarming rate. Azerbaijani official Aliaga Azizov disclosed the troubling figures to Reuters.
Over the past 5 years, the level has dropped by 1 meter, 1.5 meters in 10 years, and 2.5 meters in 30 years. Currently, the annual decrease is 20-30 cm, many times faster than the global ocean level rise.
According to the official, the process cannot be stopped, only adapted to. Causes include climate change, reduced precipitation, increased evaporation, and decreased river inflow.
This severely impacts ports, shipping, fishing, tourism, and oil-gas infrastructure. A legal framework for regional cooperation is expected by year-end.
