The pollution of the Baltic Sea is a result of both business and agricultural activities of the residents of the nine countries surrounding it. As a result, it is now considered one of the world's top five most polluted seas.

A group of activists from Lithuania, who are advocating for the protection of the Baltic Sea, are embarking on a 250-day journey through eight countries, including Poland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, and Latvia. Their main objective is to raise awareness about the current state of the sea, which faces numerous environmental challenges, including climate change, overfishing, and pollution, that are difficult to control.

One of the major problems affecting the Baltic is eutrophication, caused by the excessive use of fertilisers in agriculture, which leads to overfertilisation and the overgrowth of algae. This, in turn, creates dead zones where marine life lacks oxygen, threatening the ecosystem.

According to the organisers, the expedition "serves a unique mission to foster the culture of marine conservation, to educate the public about the impact of human activity on the sea, and to inspire people to adopt more environmentally friendly habits."

"We want the ‘Save the Baltic’ expedition to bring people closer to the sea," explained Giedrius Bučas, the expedition leader. The hike, which will include scientists, activists, government officials and volunteers, will begin on March 11, 2024, with the group covering exactly 5,469 kilometres. "Save the Baltic" activists encourage everyone to join them for the entire trek, several sections, or just for a day.

Along the expedition route, educational events that are open to the public will be held. These events will include living labs, discussions, lectures, and meetings with local organisations and scientists.

Source: euronews.com