Students collaborate for the sustainable development of the Baltic Sea

On Friday, 24 October 2025, students of Biotechnology, Graphic Design and Environmental Engineering joined forces during interdisciplinary workshops dedicated to sustainable development in the Baltic Sea region. The event aimed to combine scientific knowledge, creative communication and engineering solutions to raise awareness of one of the most unique and sensitive marine ecosystems in Europe.

The workshops began with an introduction to the Baltic Sea – its geography, environmental importance and the major rivers that flow into it, carrying both nutrients and pollution from across Northern Europe. Students explored the delicate balance of this semi-enclosed sea, learning how human activity, pollution and climate change exert increasing pressure on the region’s biodiversity.

Building on this foundation, participants reviewed the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular attention to those related to clean water, responsible consumption, climate action and life below water. Through lively discussion, they connected these global goals to the specific challenges facing the Baltic Sea – from eutrophication and overfishing to microplastic pollution and the impact of geopolitical conflicts.

The highlight of the day was the task for mixed groups of students from the three disciplines to create an advertising campaign aimed at raising awareness among their peers. Biotechnology students contributed their environmental science expertise, graphic design students focused on impactful visual messaging, and environmental engineering students developed practical solutions and sustainability strategies.

The results were as inspiring as they were diverse: some teams designed posters calling for peace and cooperation in environmental protection under the slogan “No to war with nature”; others concentrated on plastic pollution with messages such as “The sea is not a rubbish bin”; while several groups addressed commercial overfishing with a strong reminder: “Leave some for tomorrow”.

The workshops not only deepened students’ understanding of the environmental challenges facing the Baltic Sea, but also demonstrated how interdisciplinary collaboration can foster creative, real-world solutions for a sustainable future.