Vanishing Waters,
Vanishing Life
Vanishing Life
the Caspian Sea's Silent Crisis
The Caspian Sea, the world’s largest enclosed body of water, is facing an environmental collapse. Once a thriving ecosystem, it is now shrinking
at an alarming rate due to rising temperatures, pollution, and decades
of industrial exploitation.
at an alarming rate due to rising temperatures, pollution, and decades
of industrial exploitation.
Oil giants and others have profited
from the resources in and around the sea while leaving behind devastation—oil spills, habitat destruction, and poisoned waters. This is not just
an ecological disaster; it’s a human crisis.
from the resources in and around the sea while leaving behind devastation—oil spills, habitat destruction, and poisoned waters. This is not just
an ecological disaster; it’s a human crisis.
Communities who depend on the sea for their livelihoods are paying the price for corporate greed and environmental neglect. The Save the Caspian Sea campaign is calling for urgent action
to hold polluting corporations accountable, protect fragile ecosystems, and ensure the sea’s survival for generations to come.
to hold polluting corporations accountable, protect fragile ecosystems, and ensure the sea’s survival for generations to come.
2022
2006
Time is running out
we need to act now.
we need to act now.
A Shrinking Lifeline: the Alarming Decline of the Caspian Sea
days
hours
minutes
seconds
Shrinking water levels
Projected shrinkage of the Caspian Sea by 2100 if current trends continue.
18 meters
The distance the shoreline has receded in some parts of Kazakhstan over the past two decades.
20 kilometers
Rate at which the seabed is being exposed.
70 cm/yr
Methane emissions from oil and gas operations have 80 times more global warming potential than CO₂ over 20 years
80 times
Contribution of the Caspian region's oil industry to environmental degradation.
40%
Pollutants, including oil and heavy metals, enter the Caspian Sea annually.
Hundreds of thousands of tons
Pollution
Biodiversity loss
Endangered species like the Caspian seal are edging closer to extinction, and coastal communities are struggling as fish stocks are depleted and toxic pollution spreads.
reduction in fish stocks over
the last two decades due to
water salinity and pollution
the last two decades due to
water salinity and pollution
50%
reduction of Caspian seals’ population from 1.5 million
a century ago to around
70,000 today
a century ago to around
70,000 today
95%
seal carcasses were found
in Kazakhstan’s Tupkaragan region alone in November 2024
in Kazakhstan’s Tupkaragan region alone in November 2024
1,155
dead seals washed up
on the shores of Russia’s Dagestan region in a single incident.
on the shores of Russia’s Dagestan region in a single incident.
2,500
Socioeconomic Consequences
At risk due to the environmental and water crises affecting livelihoods.
82 million people
In waterborne diseases linked to pollution, threatening communities around the Caspian Sea.
50% increase
WHO WE ARE
The Save the Caspian Sea campaign brings together NGOs, activists, and concerned citizens to address the root causes of this crisis.
global support to preserve this irreplaceable resource.
mobilize
for sustainable policies to protect biodiversity and local livelihoods.
Advocate
from corporations
for pollution
and destruction.
for pollution
and destruction.
Demand accountability
of the Caspian Sea’s environmental collapse.
Raise awareness
Together, we can protect the Caspian Sea for generations to come.
Our Goals
Oil and gas operations have polluted the Caspian Sea with hundreds of thousands of tons of contaminants annually, contributing to a 50% reduction in fish stocks and the threat of extinction for the Caspian seal. Together, we can hold corporations accountable and protect this vital ecosystem.
Fossil fuel companies rake in billions. They must contribute to a fund to help communities rebuild, adapt, and repair the damage they’ve caused.
Fossil fuel companies rake in billions. They must contribute to a fund to help communities rebuild, adapt, and repair the damage they’ve caused.
from exploration
preservation: reclaiming
the caspian's future
preservation: reclaiming
the caspian's future
our demands
The time for action is now.
Together, we can create a future where
the Caspian Sea thrives once more.
Together, we can create a future where
the Caspian Sea thrives once more.
01
Transparency
Companies must disclose the full environmental impact of their operations and terms of their PSA agreements.
02
Responsibility
They must be held accountable to a measurable extent for the destruction they have caused.
03
Action
Immediate steps must be taken to regulate industrial activity, enforce environmental standards, and fund restoration projects.
ABOUT US
We are a team of activists dedicated to making a significant contribution to the preservation of the Caspian Sea's ecology. We work on raising awareness and developing solutions to protect this unique water body and its ecosystem.
- Vadim NiFounderVadim Ni is a leading environmental activist and the founder of the Save the Caspian Sea movement. With a background
in ecological policy and grassroots mobilization, Vadim
has been at the forefront of advocacy for sustainable development in Central Asia. His vision for the campaign
is rooted in empowering local communities and holding corporations accountable for environmental degradation. - Galina ChernovaDirector of GlobusGalina Chernova is a renowned ecologist and the director of Globus, an NGO based in Atyrau, Kazakhstan that focuses on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. With extensive expertise in marine biology, Galina has conducted numerous studies on the Caspian Sea’s unique ecosystem and is a vocal advocate for transboundary collaboration to mitigate ecological threats in the region.
- Maria LobachevaExtractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)Maria Lobacheva is the Program Director of the public association Echo, where she provides strategic leadership to promote transparency and citizen engagement. With many years of experience advancing the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in Kazakhstan, Maria is also a member of the international EITI Board. This platform brings together NGO coalitions advocating for increased transparency and accountability in Kazakhstan's extractive industries.
- Kate WattersExecutive Director at Crude AccountabilityKate Watters is the Executive Director of Crude Accountability, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing environmental violations and human rights abuses in oil extraction regions. With over a decade of experience in advocacy, Kate focuses on enhancing transparency in the energy sector. She works to amplify the voices of communities affected by corporate misconduct. Under her leadership, international coalitions have been established to protect fragile ecosystems such as the Caspian Sea.
join us
Whether as a volunteer, partner,
or advocate, your skills and passion can make a difference in protecting the Caspian Sea.
Let’s create change together.
or advocate, your skills and passion can make a difference in protecting the Caspian Sea.
Let’s create change together.
Become a part of something bigger
JOIN US
Help us raise awareness by sharing
our message on social media
and within your community.
Use the hashtag #SaveTheCaspianSea to join the conversation and find more campaign materials and visuals under the link.
our message on social media
and within your community.
Use the hashtag #SaveTheCaspianSea to join the conversation and find more campaign materials and visuals under the link.
Be the ripple
that creates a wave
that creates a wave
SPREAD
THE WORD
THE WORD
Share your personal experience. Together, we can amplify these stories to bring change.
Your voice matters
SHARE
YOUR STORY
YOUR STORY
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