Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2010-06-15-Speech-2-631"
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"en.20100615.33.2-631"2
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"Mr President, in 150 years, the Baltic Sea has gone from an untouched, clear, oligotrophic Arctic sea to one in a constant state of crisis. The problems of eutrophication, algal blooms, toxic waste and threatened biodiversity are growing ever greater. The situation in the Baltic Sea is very serious. Despite successful attempts in the 1990s and 2000s to reduce the input of nitrogen and phosphorus, almost the whole of the Baltic Sea is currently suffering the effects of eutrophication. Similarly, the levels of environmental toxins and heavy metals are high, despite success in reducing the discharge of lead, mercury and DDT, for example.
I do not know whether any of you have seen the algal bloom in this large, previously healthy, inland sea. If you go out in a boat in the wonderful archipelago in summer, you are met by a decimetre-thick green, foul-smelling layer of algae. If dogs drink the water they die, and if children bathe in it they vomit and suffer an upset stomach. That is the situation in many places around the Baltic Sea today. In order to safeguard growth and enable our rural communities to thrive in the future too, it is vital that we increase our knowledge of the impact on the Baltic Sea.
The ecosystem of the Baltic Sea area is complex and impossible to understand without cooperation between researchers across borders throughout the whole of the catchment area into this inland sea. A great deal of research along these lines is already being carried out, but often without adequate coordination. The proposal that we have on the table today – which is referred to as BONUS for short – aims to change this. This work will be a joint research programme between the states surrounding the Baltic Sea, including, in fact, researchers from Russia, in order to meet the environmental challenges in this area. BONUS will create a strategic plan with a common focus for more than 500 researchers from the eight Member States around the Baltic. The EU and the states in the Baltic Sea area will then, together, invest nearly SEK 1 billion in environmental research.
Eighty five million people live around the Baltic Sea in countries whose economies are dependent on the sea in various ways. At the same time, it is our societies that are contributing to the problems as discharges and waste find their way out into the water. A better overall view of the research is needed if it is to be possible to save the Baltic Sea. Research in this area is fragmented and far too dependent on the limited research appropriations at local, regional and national level.
BONUS builds instead on experience gained from the EU’s Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development. As a result of BONUS, the national research programmes and activities in the participating states will, for the first time, be integrated into a joint strategic programme with a clear focus.
I would like to thank everyone – my fellow Members, the Spanish Presidency and the Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science – who has been involved in making this happen. This type of coordinated investment in environmental research is one element in the creation of a sustainable, dynamic and resource-efficient Europe. The Baltic Sea is very much alive in the culture of all eight of our countries surrounding this inland sea: in their literature, music and art. We want it to still be here for our grandchildren. BONUS will form part of the platform for this investment in the future."@en1
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