BASICS is a compilation of statistics dealing with the Baltic Sea region. Most of the statistics are on a national level, related to most of the countries fully or partly within the Baltic Sea drainage basin; Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden and Ukraine. The thematical focus is on variables connected to sustainable development, natural resources and environment, grouped into a limited number of 'sectors'. BASICS is a joint activity between the Baltic University Programme, Department of Systems Ecology, Stockholm University, Institute of Geography, Tartu University and UNEP/GRID-Arendal. Our aim with BASICS is to offer the best compilation ever made of 'sustainable development' statistics for the Baltic Sea region, and thereby serve the needs of - inter alia -

• 'A Sustainable Baltic Region' - an undergraduate university course offered by the Baltic University Programme - first time Spring 1997
• Baltic Agenda 21 - the upcoming regional Agenda 21 plan to be made for the Baltic Sea area
• BALLERINA - BALtic sea region on-Line Environmental information Resources for INternet Access, a comprehensive Internet initiative to bring more relevant environmental and sustainable development information on-line
• Baltic Basin Case Study - BBCS - an EU funded international research effort investigating the sustainability of the Baltic Sea region

We acknowledge that the current version (1.0) of BASICS does not give the complete, statistical sustainable development picture. Many key sectors and variables are missing. In order to fill the gaps, more resources are needed.

Those 'behind' the current version of BASICS are -

• Christian Anderson, Ph.D., Baltic University Programme (Biodiversity & Nature Protection)
• Admasu Desta, Ph.D., Baltic University Programme (Agriculture)
• Ain Kull, M.Sc., Tartu University (Energy, Forest & Forestry, Fisheries, Biodiversity & Nature Protection)
• Sindre Langaas, Ph.D., UNEP/GRID-Arendal (People & Countries, Land Cover, Overall Co-ordinator)

In addition, many collaborating partners have contributed statistical data and knowledge. Their contributions are greatly appreciated!