Environmental Culture Should Be Instilled in Children from School – Professor Nurlan Munbayev

To effectively address environmental issues, including the preservation of the Caspian Sea, societal thinking must be transformed, and environmental culture should be cultivated from an early age. This was stated by Professor Nurlan Munbayev, a member of the New York Academy of Sciences.

The decline in the Caspian Sea’s water level has been observed since 1997. To study this issue and develop solutions, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has initiated the establishment of the Caspian Sea Research Institute. The main office will be located in Aktau, and a laboratory will be opened in Atyrau.
“The institute will focus on studying the environmental problems of the Caspian Sea, including the decline in water levels, the causes of mass deaths of seals and fish, and the protection of endangered species such as flamingos. This is a unique body of water, where 80% of the sturgeon species listed in the Red Book come to spawn,” Nurlan Munbayev noted.
The professor also emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to solving the issues of the Caspian, considering both environmental and economic aspects.

“The Caspian is a place where environmental and economic interests are closely intertwined. It is home to the Kashagan oil project, one of the largest hydrocarbon deposits in the world. If the water level continues to drop, it will not only affect the ecosystem but also jeopardize the project itself. Our mission is to preserve this wealth for future generations,” the expert stressed.
The importance of raising environmental awareness among citizens was also highlighted.

“Every Kazakhstani should understand the significance of preserving water bodies like the Caspian, Balkhash, and the Ural and Ishim rivers. Environmental education should begin in schools or even kindergartens. We need to develop educational programs to foster civic responsibility and commitment to protecting water resources,” concluded Professor Nurlan Munbayev, a member of the New York Academy of Sciences.