PROBALT News

PROBALT project ends December 31st 2011

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:36:00 +0200

The website will stay up for the time being.

The PROBALT team wants to thank all the collaborators for the past three years!

Governing Europe's Most Polluted Sea Societal challenges of the Baltic Sea eutrophication prevention

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:49:00 +0200

For more information see (Governing Europe's Most Polluted Sea Societal challenges of the Baltic Sea eutrophication prevention
)

Probalt in Brussels

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:08:00 +0200

A questions and answers panel addressing topics related to the top Baltic Sea research will convene in Brussels on 8 November 2011. The latest knowledge produced by the BONUS+ projects, including Probalt, will be at the centre stage.

More information and registration:

http://www.bonusportal.org/events/bonus_highlights_seminar/

BONUS Briefings published

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:58:00 +0200

BONUS briefings provide overviews of important topics and key achievements in concise (2-)4 page format. To date 17 briefings have been published, the first containing the executive summary of the BONUS strategic research agenda 2011-2017, and the next 16 key results and policy links of the 16 BONUS+ projects that are finishing in 2011.
http://www.bonusportal.org/publications/publications_(old)/bonus_briefings/

Probalt briefing:

http://www.bonusportal.org/files/1334/BONUS_Briefing_15_PROBALT.pdf

Expert discussion on German Baltic Sea protection policies in Kiel

Mon, 30 May 2011 13:44:00 +0300

The third in a series of expert discussions on Baltic Sea affairs was arranged by the PROBALT team in Kiel on May 25, 2011. In contrast to the previous discussions, which concentrated on European initiatives for marine protection, this time the focus was on the German position in the fight against Baltic Sea eutrophication. The audience included experts from politics, administrations, academia and NGOs. The keynote speech was given by Jochen Lamp, head of the WWFs Baltic Sea office for Germany in Stralsund.

It was emphasized during the discussion that geographically Germany is in a special situation as it is the only Baltic Sea country which contributes more to nutrient pollution of the Baltic Sea through atmospheric deposition than through water based discharges. This is due to the fact that only a very small part of the German territory is part of the Baltic Sea catchment area. Thus, the major pollution sources are atmospheric emissions from agriculture, transport and combustion plants.

Several participants expressed the opinion that more ambitious German protection efforts for the Baltic Sea might be constrained by the federal structure of the state. It could be a reason for the fact that it is often difficult to implement coherent marine protection strategies, because up to five German states (Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Bremen) as well as the federal government first have to agree on a common approach.
Moreover, it was pointed out that many people in central and southern parts of Germany are not really aware of the fact that Germany is a coastal country. Thus, a lack of sensitivity for marine protection requirements is prevailing, while other environmental issues (e.g.
withdrawal from nuclear energy or climate change) are dominating public debates on environmental policy in Germany.

Previous expert discussions: http://www.probalt.fi/en/news/8/0/

The Problems of the Protection of the Baltic Sea in the Regions of the Russian Federation: the Example of the Kaliningrad Region

Thu, 19 May 2011 10:28:00 +0300

This article examines solutions to the environmental problems of the Baltic Sea in the Kaliningrad region. The authors focus on the implementation of the HELCOM recommendation, which stipulates the elimination of all sources of eutrohication (the so-called hot spots) as well as the construction of modern waste water treatment facilities. The study is base on the interviews with local experts and the analysis of regulatory documents.

The Problems of the Protection of the Baltic Sea in the Regions of the Russian Federation: the Example of the Kaliningrad Region, in: Baltic Region, vol. 2, N4, 2010, p. 108-115

New article on science-policy interface in the Baltic Sea eutrophication governance by PROBALT researchers Mia Pihlajamäki and Nina Tynkkynen

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:28:00 +0200

New article The Challenge of Bridging Science and Policy in the Baltic Sea Eutrophication Governance in Finland: The perspective of Science by researchers Mia Pihlajamäki and Nina Tynkkynen has been published on the journal AMBIO (2011)40.

Go to the publications

Journalist training in Helsinki 17.12.2010

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:44:00 +0200

PROBALT organised a journalist training day in Helsinki on Friday 17 December 2010.

The interesting day brought together 16 journalists and 4 speakers. The presentations inspired the participants into a lively debate and first articles on the problematic of the Baltic Sea protection in the Finnish media may be expected already next week.

The presentations can be downloaded via this link: http://www.probalt.fi/en/info/18/

Big step for BONUS

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:18:00 +0200

Big step for BONUS

We in BONUS community have now a reason to celebrate and be proud of our achievement wrote Kaisa Kononen in the latest Bonus in Brief. By this Dr. Kononen, the Executive Director of BONUS meant the long negotiation and preparation process of the Joint Baltic Sea Research and Development Programme that was finally concluded and approved on September 22^nd. The new BONUS programme, worth of 100 million, will run from 2010 until 2016.

But how will the BONUS programme look like and what are the next steps to be taken before the first thematic call?

Ongoing strategic planning phase will last until the end of next year and during the time new policy-driven research agenda will be developed. Focus of this new agenda and forthcoming BONUS calls will be on multidisciplinary research, meaning that especially proposals with deep cooperation of different sectors and disciplines: basic and applied sciences, research and policy making and environmental, societal and economic sciences are welcomed.

Multidisciplinary research is an important aim, but it also challenges old ways of doing research. New attitudes and new ways of thinking are needed when initiating, but also when evaluating and selecting new projects. For example at the moment there are only two social scientifically oriented projects among ongoing 16 BONUS projects an imbalance that was created already at the previous selection phase.

To achieve the multidisciplinary and cooperation aim, a great attention has now been paid on the strategic planning phase and on the development of new research agenda. The online Poll on Priority Research Topics in Baltic Sea System was open to everyone during the summer, where in autumn the first BONUS Forum of Sector Research brought together nearly 70 government agencies in Tallinn. The need of new kind of cooperation forum became obvious, as it was the first time for many officials from different ministries that they had the change to share their research interest with others.

From now on the strategic planning phase will continue on the country level where eight newly elected BONUS advocates will meet various national stakeholders: researchers, information users and sponsors from different institutions and sectors. Within the coming months advocates will make a map of relevant national actors, hear their ideas and interests regarding the future Baltic Sea research and finally jointly draft the research agenda. The planning process will be concluded in an International Strategic Orientation workshop in March and the final research agenda is planed to be proved during the summer 2011. If everything goes according to plan the first thematic call will be launched already in the end of 2011.

We hope for the best!

Probalt in BONUS News

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:13:00 +0300

BONUS Newsletter May 2010

BONUS Poll on Priority Research Topics open until 16 August 2010

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:51:00 +0300

16 June 2010 the European Parliament supported the European Councils compromise which will launch a new research programme "BONUS-169" to protect the Baltic Sea, reports the BONUS Secretariat.

Regarding the development of the Strategic Research Agenda of the new programme, BONUS invites you to give your input through a web based Poll.

The Poll is open to everyone and it will form the basis for the future Calls for proposals. BONUS says to be especially interested in receiving feedback from research professionals in academia and sector research institutes, government officers and experts in all relevant spheres: agriculture, fisheries, transportation & energy, environment, regional development and spatial planning, local governments, tourism and recreation, as well as industries having a stake in marine and maritime research.

The Poll on future priority research topics is open until 16 August 2010!

Poll on Priority Research Topics

Press release: Hundred million of support for research to protect the Baltic Sea

New series of expert discussions on Baltic Sea affairs started in Kiel

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:49:00 +0200

On March 17, 2010, the first in a newly established series of expert discussions was organized by the German PROBALT team in Kiel, the capital of the German Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein. The series, which in German was given the name Ostsee-Fachgespräche (expert discussions on Baltic Sea affairs), aims at raising awareness on current issues of the Baltic Sea region with special emphasis on marine protection policies. It is intended for representatives from politics, administration, interest groups and research.

The first Ostsee-Fachgespräch concentrated on the recently adopted EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, which currently is in the implementation phase. The introductory lecture was given by Carsten Schymik, researcher at the Berlin based German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP). The subsequent discussion largely focussed on the question whether or not the government of Schleswig-Holstein should become more visible and increase its commitment in the implementation phase of the strategy. Some participants complained that Schleswig-Holstein, in contrast to the other two German federal states in the Baltic Sea region, Hamburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, has not taken over the leadership for any of the 15 priority areas of the strategy. However, in response to that, other participants emphasized the successful, albeit less visible, lobbying efforts of the Kiel government, which accordingly lead to the establishment of clean shipping as one of the priority areas of the strategy.

Both, the organizers and the approximately 25 participants, among them several MPs and officials from various governmental institutions, considered the first Ostsee-Fachgespräch as a success and welcomed the new series as an opportunity for open debates on Baltic Sea affairs. The PROBALT team will continue the expert discussions on an irregular basis. For further information (in German) please visit:

http://www.frieden.uni-kiel.de/index.php?idart=329

The second in a series of expert discussions established in 2010 on Baltic Sea cooperation and marine protection policies (German title: Ostsee-Fachgepräche) was arranged by the German PROBALT team in Kiel on October 26. About 25 participants, including MPs, government officials and NGO representatives attended the event. The introductory lecture was given by Mr. Haitze Siemers, head of the European Commissions Baltic Sea Unit, which is part of the DG Mare. The discussion revealed several positive aspects of the European Unions increasing role in maritime policies concerning for instance maritime spatial planning, improved maritime surveillance, better coordination of scientific research and the development of marine technologies. On the other hand, also constraints for a more active engagement of the EU in Baltic Sea protection were pointed out. Among others, the European Commissions limited capabilities in striving for stricter ship emissions standards for European Seas within the framework of the International Maritime Organization, was mentioned during the discussion. Moreover, concerns were expressed about the lack of a proper integration of marine protection requirements into the Common Agricultural Policy. For further information (in German) please visit:

http://www.frieden.uni-kiel.de/index.php?idart=329

BONUS EEIG - Annual Conference 19-21 January 2010 in Vilnius, Lithuania

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:31:00 +0200

BONUS Annual Confrence will be held in Vilnius, Lithuania between the 19th and 21st of January 2010. PROBALT will partake the conference with three presentations and one poster.

Wednesday 20.01.

Poster Session 18:00-19:30

39. Policy‐Making and Implementation in the Baltic Sea Protection in Russia

Elena Belokurova, M. Nozhenko and PROBALT project

Thursday 21.01.

Session 4: Building the knowledge‐based governance and management of the Baltic

10:40 The implications of the nature of scientific knowledge to linking science and policy in the case of the Baltic Sea eutrophication

Mia Pihlajamäki and N. Tynkkynen

12:10 Societal conditions for the Baltic Sea protection: Russian case

Dmitry Nechiporuk

12:30 The capacity of the European Union to solve the problem of Baltic Sea eutrophication

Tom Schumacher

More information about the conference and the whole programme

Journalist training spawned several media publications

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:12:00 +0300

After the journalist training several media publications on the Baltic Sea eutrophication are brought out in local and regional medias. The training was organised by the Probalt and Media21 in Gdansk in September 2009. The aim of the training was to increase regional awareness about the state of the Baltic Sea by informing and involving local journalists to the process. Underneath you can find a link to each publication. Publications are in different languages, some including a summary.

Eko i My, January 2010 (in Polish)

By Monika Romanska

Projects for the Baltic Sea

SUMMARY: Last part of my Baltic Sea article series presents particular projects currently implemented, in terms of Baltic Sea condition, in the most polluted region - along the south-east coast line. Those are: Waste water treatment plants complex in Gdansk (Poland), Treatment of municipal wastewater project in Sankt Petersburg (Russia), Grey seal rescue project in Marine Station in Hel (Poland) and Water quality improvemnt programme in Szczecin (Poland). Most of those water projects are still in progress but expected ecological effects are promising:
crucial reduction of the global load of nutrients to the Baltic Sea on the Polish and Russian coastal area.
Once upone a time Baltic Sea fed and supported people living in the sea region. Now it is a time to pay back for that unlimiting derived goods - to make the efforts to decrease the human pression on the Baltic Sea ecosystem.
Additionally, at the end we listed which washing powders available in Poland are phosphate-free and which aren't.

TV show Vides Fakti, 7.12.2009, (in Latvian)

By Sandra BALTRUKA

When are we going to change our thinking about the Baltic Sea?

Mainly, the article overviews the main reasons of why the Baltic Sea isdying and suggests what should be done in order to prevent this. Eachparagraph concisely draws attention to the main problems of the Sea:eutrofication, excess of nutrients, algae bloom, oxygen free bottomsthat exceeds the size of Denmark, overfishing (example of cod) andintense traffic.

The second part of the article points out what can be done. It suggeststhat even though there are many different views on how these problemsshould be tackled all real defenders of the Baltic Sea agrees thatpeople should change their thinking and realize that we can't just usethe BS, we must also give it back. Moreover, it draws attention to thefact the the political will to solve these problems is too weak at themoment.

This article ends with the following idea: This week there is a ClimateChange conference in Copenhagen were the issues of the Baltic sea aregoing to be discussed at the highest level. But will it change ourthinking about the Baltic Sea?

Eko i My, December 2009 (in Polish)

By Monika Romanska

Strategy fot the Baltic Sea (PDF)

SUMMARY: This is the second article from the three piece series about the condition of the Baltic Sea. After the presentation of the current state of Baltic Sea in the first article, the seoond one brings up the queston: Why the Baltic Sea is not adequately protected, since there is many international Baltic Sea agreements and conventions.
In the first paragraph I listed most important documents, conventions and directives related to the Baltic Sea. I presented the opinion of the non governmental organisations on how protection of the Baltic Sea looks this days. Then I described the international activities - Helcom and currently approoved EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.
Last paragraphs inform about some independent activities taken to improve the status of the Balti Sea: John Nurminen Foundation, Bonus Plus Initiative, Baltic Sea Action Group.
At the end I asked why the international journalists workshops have been organized in Poland and answer quotying The Finnish Institute of International Affairs: Poland is the biggest source of nutrients and pollutions in the Baltic Sea. In Poland we need to choose two ways - first to inform public opinion to arise the awareness about Baltis Sea state, and second - political partners of Poland should bring up the Baltic Sea inquiry in political discussions and debates as our own problem which needs to be solved.
As an insertion I added the information from Polish branch of Helcom what exactly Poland implemented from the Baltic Sea Action Plan till now and what left to do.

Kurzemes Vards, 30.11.2009, (in Latvian)

By Nora DRIKE

What can and what must we do for the living Baltic sea? (PDF)

The New Nation , Bangladesh, 2.11.2009 (in English)

By Monowara BEGUM MONI

Baltic to Buriganga, water needs purification

greenbelarus.info, 3.11.2009 (in Belarussian)

By Tania NOVIKOVA

Belarus and eutrophication of the Baltic sea

Our country has no border with the Baltic sea and we are not a marine country, but we make our output in the ecology of the Baltic sea. We are one of 14 countries in the Baltic region. What does it mean? The rivers, which have their source in our country, flow into the Baltic sea. In these rivers live a rare species of fish. So, the quality of the water in our rivers influence the lives and quantity of these fish. From the pollution of some Belarusians rivers it affects the pollution of Baltic water.

Baltic sea eutrophication is our joint problem

What is the eutrophication? Why is dangerous for us all? Could we slow down this process?

How can the Belarusians prevent the eutrophication?

What have we to do? The most cheap and clear way is to stop the pollution. What does the pollution consist of? Is it possible to stop it?

Phosphates and nitrates

How to stop the phosphate and nitrate pollution? What do the European countries do to stop it? Will it be expensive? Where are the opportunities and money?

The text was prepared with assistance of Media21 and workshop in Gdansk.

Eko i My, November 2009 (in Polish)
By Monika ROMANSKA

Baltic Sea is Slowly Dying (PDF)

Baltyk zamiera

The first part starts from the introduction of some facts Baltic Sea is surrounded by nine countries, which derive profits from it, but in fact there is no governmental body, which would take care about Baltic Sea interests. Baltic Sea is known as the most polluted sea on our planet.

Then I present hydrographical description of our sea and the consequences of it due to inland location there is very narrow connection between Baltic Sea and salted ocean waters. The effect of it is that Baltic is a brackish sea, which suffer the lack of oxygen in bottom parts. Rare inflows bring not only salted water but also fresh oxygen. Then I explain hypoxia and eutrophication processes, and pollution role in it, as it is the most important problem to keep Baltic Sea alive. I presen some engineering propositions how to bring more oxygen to the bottom parts of the sea.

The separate chapter is about the agricultural impact on the Baltic Sea condition. 40 percent of nitrogen and 50 percent of phosphorus comes from agriculture in the entire Baltic Sea catchment area. What we can do to decrease it? There is some proposals, like according to the principle public money for the public goods, supporting farmers in protection of water, climate, biodiversity, wetland restoration etc. Big animal farms should be treated like an industry and according to rule polluters pay they should incur the costs of their pollutions. Farmers should more focus on protection of their nearest lake or river and taking the responsibility of it than on Baltic sea think globally but work locally.

The last chapter is a short analysis of the political and social attitude to the protection of the Baltic Sea in the baltic region. We can notice that the larger polluters like Poland and Russia transfer their loads to the northern countries. This creates unfair asymmetry: polluters don't see the negative effects of eutrophication, but from the other hand they will have to carry the costs of the big investments to reduce their nutrients. There is some proposals to balance it: e.g. to implement the international nutrient trading system.

Next articles will describe the legal institutions and international bodies, the EU strategy and some of the initiatives which were taken in Poland to reduce the Baltic Sea pollution.

Vikerraadio, 26.10.2009 (Estonian public radio in Estonian)

By Sven PAULUS

3 interviews on Baltic Sea

The topic of the Baltic Sea is discussed in the beginning of the show after the first song. I have three interviews here: first is Sture Hansson from Stockholm University talking about Baltic sea problems - eutrophication etc.
Second interview is with Randel Kreitsberg who did his MA in Tartu University about oil spill impact on fish. Third speaker is Daniel Conley from Lund University (who we met in Gdansk) and he is talking about hypoxia in the Baltic sea.

Biznes i Ekologia, 81/2009 (in Polish)

By Henryk OLEKSY

Baltyk zagrozony (PDF)

Biznes i Ekologia, 79/2009 (in Polish)

By Aleksandra WOJTOWICZ

Nie zabudujcie brzegu!! (PDF)

Svenskt Vatten, (in Swedish)

By Lena BÄCKMAN

Försök med syresättning av Östersjön

Latvijas Avize, 21.10.2009 (in Latvian)

By Sarmite PUJENA

RoFu izrdes Helas pussal

Dawatfreemedia, 19.10.2009 (in Pashto)

By Tariq BAZGE

The Baltic: an asphyxiating sea (first part)

The Baltic: an asphyxiating sea (second part)

Srodowisko, 15.10.2009 (in Polish)

By Monika ROMANSKA

"Baltyk Sie Dusi" (PDF)

Polskie Radio Szczecin, 3.10.2009 (in Polish)

Radio interview with Monika ROMANSKA about the Baltic Sea eutrophication based on the information of journalist training.

The entire programme can be found here

Copenhagen Voice, 29.9.2009 (in English)

By Michael DE LAINE

"Strangled and on the road to Hel"

"Analysts question whether EU will fully implement its Baltic Sea strategy"

Video interviews taken by Michael de Laine in Gdansk during the journalist training:

qik.com/foxymike030450

www.youtube.com/michaeldelaine

Probalt organised journalist training

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:19:00 +0300

Probalt and Media21 organised journalist training on the Baltic Sea eutrophication. 20 journalists and 12 quest speakers were brought together in Gdansk on September 14-16th 2009. The workshop is followed by a visit to the Gdansk wasterwater treatment plant and a field trip to Hel Station. The presentations can be downloaded via this link: http://www.probalt.fi/en/info/18/

Raising awareness on eutrophication in Germany

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:22:00 +0300

On June 2, 2009, PROBALT researcher Tom Schumacher from Kiel university presented the project design at the Humbolt-University in Berlin. The event was organized by the Research Group for Northern European Politics (FOR:N), a Berlin based network of experts, which has set itself the target to raise awareness for Northern European affairs within political debates in the German capital. The discussion which followed the presentation mainly focused on questions related to the research design of PROBALT and on the potential roles of Germany and the EU in combatting Baltic Sea eutrophication.

Report from the event (in German)

PROBALT project regarded timely and important in Germany

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:02:00 +0300

On May 20, 2009, the German PROBALT team (Tom Schumacher and Christian
Wellmann) presented the PROBALT project design to the members of the
Working Group on European Affairs, Baltic Sea affairs included, of the
parliamentary faction of the Social- Democratic Party (SPD) of the
Schleswig-Holstein Landtag. The parliamentarians regarded the Project to
be a timely and important endeavour, voiced their support for it and
suggested a briefing on preliminary results to held in due time.

PROBALT kick-off meeting

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:01:00 +0300

The kick-off meeting of the PROBALT project was organized at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs on May 14-15th 2009

Welcome to the PROBALT webpage

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:27:00 +0300

The PROBALT webpage aims at providing information to a wider public about current developments in the environmental protection of the Baltic Sea, especially from the perspective of eutrophication. The website also allows to follow-up the progress of the PROBALT project and serves as a dissemination channel of its results.