The Blue Economy embodies a sustainable development approach to the responsible utilization and conservation of coastal and marine resources. PlanWiseBlue tool allows use to make use of marine resources with understanding the consequences of our actions and to improve the sustainability of the Baltic Sea.
Defined by the World Bank as the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems,” and characterized by the European Commission as “All economic activities related to oceans, seas, and coasts, covering a wide range of interlinked established and emerging sectors,” the Blue Economy can be explained as human activities impact on our seas and shorelines.
The Blue Economy activities include altering the sea and coastal environment through actions like dredging and laying underwater cables, utilising coastal areas through activities like fishing, wind parks, and wave energy initiatives as well as floating housing, and even extracting valuable resources such as minerals, mussels, and algae. Shipping and port operations, coastal defence and tourism also are part of this framework.
Today and tomorrow, the importance of blue economy is growing tremendously. We are seeking new sources of energy, consuming new sea food, looking for sustainable tourism, and there is constant need for new minerals. Before these sources of sustainable blue economy can be utilised, we must study what is the effect of actions. Given the multifaceted nature of the Blue Economy, there exists various approaches to comprehend its dynamics. Human actions can yield both negative and positive outcomes for the marine environment, with often unforeseen consequences resulting from various interactions.
Researchers at the University of Tartu have developed a groundbreaking web-based tool: PlanWiseBlue. This innovative platform enables individuals to assess the potential environmental impact of human activities in the Baltic Sea, not just one human impact at a time, but the cumulative impact of all human activities in the region of interest.
The methodology behind this tool is a fusion of algorithms that combine all the existing scientific evidence, from observations to experimental studies, on how different human activities affect different natural values. The tool itself is user-friendly and visually intuitive, making it accessible to virtually anyone interested in exploring how different activities can collectively affect the marine environment.
So what does this tool offer? It encourages us to think about the consequences of multiple human actions occurring at the same time. It allows us to effectively designate areas for e.g. wind farms while avoiding unnecessary environmental damage. Are the combined effects positive or negative? What nature-based solutions are effective in mitigating negative impacts? As we look to the future, a comprehensive understanding of the Baltic Sea is essential if we are to preserve its fragile ecosystem and make sustainable use of its invaluable resources.
In this era of growing environmental awareness, PlanWiseBlue sheds light on the delicate balance between human activities and the fragile ecosystem of the Baltic Sea. With its insights, we can chart a course towards a more sustainable use of the Baltic Sea’s resources, where the actions of the Blue Economy can be taken without compromising the well-being of our marine treasures.
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Project ADRIENNE+/ER188 is implemented under the European Neighbourhood Instrument and co-financed by the European Union. This post has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The content of this post is the sole responsibility of the writer and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the Programme or the European Union.
Photo: Kristel Rauk
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