As a
Finnish person I am proud of our country. We are, in many ways, a forward-thinking
society with extremely educated population. We are one of the only countries with
free education, good social security system, and healthiest and happiest people.
At the same time, I feel that we are not facing realities in the global climate
talk. It strikes me every time, I encounter the situation like the one this
morning, how disconnected from the reality we live when it comes to global ecological
thinking. We – one may argue – represent a tiny fraction of the global population
compared to China, India and U.S., so why should we do anything while they don’t?
When you analyze this argument, it sounds like children on the playground who sometimes end up in a fight “Mom, the other kids are mean – I do not want to play with them!”. However, they are kids. We are grown-ups, responsible, wise and thoughtful adults. It is up to us how we want the world to look like for our kids and for their kids. You may say: “I do not care, I will not be here to see it”. So, my second question is, how responsible does that argument sound to you?
This morning, overhearing the public talk on the topic disregarding the points we really should be thinking about, I cannot help but write about this immediately. The point we are missing, is that we are really digging our own grave here. Do we really want to live on a planet with extreme storms, no more birds or plants, and with lack of drinking water? Probably not. You may argue: “It will not be us, but it will be the poor who will suffer”. Umh, what to say to that.. Well, I will say that when we live on the 21st century, there are unforeseen possibility to build an equal, sustainable, evolving society in a global way. Why should we be this ignorant when we really can change things?
When you analyze this argument, it sounds like children on the playground who sometimes end up in a fight “Mom, the other kids are mean – I do not want to play with them!”. However, they are kids. We are grown-ups, responsible, wise and thoughtful adults. It is up to us how we want the world to look like for our kids and for their kids. You may say: “I do not care, I will not be here to see it”. So, my second question is, how responsible does that argument sound to you?
This morning, overhearing the public talk on the topic disregarding the points we really should be thinking about, I cannot help but write about this immediately. The point we are missing, is that we are really digging our own grave here. Do we really want to live on a planet with extreme storms, no more birds or plants, and with lack of drinking water? Probably not. You may argue: “It will not be us, but it will be the poor who will suffer”. Umh, what to say to that.. Well, I will say that when we live on the 21st century, there are unforeseen possibility to build an equal, sustainable, evolving society in a global way. Why should we be this ignorant when we really can change things?
Kolovesi (Photo: Metsähallitus) |
The fact
that Finland mainly lives on its forest technology, and us having a very producer-
driven economy, relying on the lobbying of the sector, has one problem. When we
do not question the ways in which we function, change is not possible. Don’t
get me wrong here. I am not saying that we need to start to stall our economy nor that we need to stop enjoying what we have
gained, turn off the lights, live with less and give up our pleasures. There is
another solution. We must explore the current way of thinking, face the flaws and develop new approaches to solve the problems. We need to
start thinking bigger. Investing in sustainable innovations, is a global trend,
so why could it not also be a trend in Finland? Do we want to sit back, and
watch others solve the global crisis, while we carry on acting as we always used to act? Would it not be better to get involved by
providing our expertise also in the innovation sector, finding the solutions
for maintaining our resources for now and for later. There are ways to solve
the problems, but that needs a good look in the mirror. (And yes, I am also
referring to myself).
However, there is one more, and perhaps the most important thing, what we need urgently. It is the involvement of politicians and governmental initiatives on the matter. Small improvements can take place in the individual level, but to make this work, we need the support from our leaders. When given instructions how one can improve, it is much easier to reach goals. What I mean by this is that opportunities need to be given for new innovation technologies to be developed. The obvious way is to fund research and innovations. Another way is to train the people currently working at jobs which no longer are needed in the future, such as meat producers, for positions in which they can be contributing their knowledge and expertise in the sustainable way, instead of carrying on "as we always used to".
When you think about it, this is a simple concept, but we need to re-investigate our approach. Let’s save the world together!
However, there is one more, and perhaps the most important thing, what we need urgently. It is the involvement of politicians and governmental initiatives on the matter. Small improvements can take place in the individual level, but to make this work, we need the support from our leaders. When given instructions how one can improve, it is much easier to reach goals. What I mean by this is that opportunities need to be given for new innovation technologies to be developed. The obvious way is to fund research and innovations. Another way is to train the people currently working at jobs which no longer are needed in the future, such as meat producers, for positions in which they can be contributing their knowledge and expertise in the sustainable way, instead of carrying on "as we always used to".
When you think about it, this is a simple concept, but we need to re-investigate our approach. Let’s save the world together!
Have a great midsummer!
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