Young people are ready to act on behalf of the Baltic Sea as 800 young people are set to attend a parade in downtown Helsinki for Baltic Sea Day

More information

Baltic Sea Day events:
Oona Piiroinen,
communications specialist, Baltic Sea Day producer / John Nurminen Foundation
oona.piiroinen@jnfoundation.fi, +358 50 434 4879

The Baltic Sea Day survey:
Maija Soljanlahti,
Project manager / John Nurminen Foundation
maija.soljanlahti@jnfoundation.fi, +358 50 463 9305

Jaakko Hyry
Research director, senior specialist / Verian
Jaakko.Hyry2@veriangroup.com, +358 50 3700939

Other requests for interviews:
Säde Mäkipää
communications specialist / John Nurminen Foundation
sade.makipaa@jnfoundation.fi
+358 50 383 9292

A national survey found that young people under 30 are prepared to make changes in their everyday lives and to lobby decision-makers for the benefit of the Baltic Sea. On Baltic Sea Day, 27 August, the Baltic Sea carnival parade will be held in the centre of Helsinki and gather together more than 800 children and young people to celebrate our beloved Baltic Sea and to offer a channel to raise our voices and make a difference.

A national survey found that almost all young people are prepared to take action on behalf of the Baltic Sea.  The survey investigated the views of young Finns aged 17–30 on Baltic Sea protection and their readiness to take action.

The survey asked what kind of action young people would be willing to take. The top three responses were signing a national petition striving for improving the condition of the Baltic Sea, voting for candidates who speak out in support of the Baltic Sea, and organizing or participating in litter-picking walks. A fifth of respondents said that they were prepared to participate in demonstrations in support of the Baltic Sea. Just 13 per cent of young people said that they were not prepared to take any action, or were unable to say whether they were prepared to take action.

The majority of respondents also stated that they had already taken active measures on behalf of the Baltic Sea, such as changing their consumer habits to put less strain on nature, eating a more plant-based diet, or reducing the amount of plastic products they purchase or use.

The survey was commissioned for Baltic Sea Day by the John Nurminen Foundation and carried out by Verian.

Baltic Sea Day offers a channel for participation and making a difference

On Baltic Sea Day, 27 August, the Baltic Sea carnival parade will be held in the centre of Helsinki, offering young people the chance to make their voices heard. Organized by the John Nurminen Foundation and the Finnish Nature Association (Luontoliitto), the parade will set off from Kansalaistori Square at 11:30 and march a short route around downtown Helsinki. Over 800 people have signed up to participate in the parade.

“Baltic Sea Festival’s connection to the sea’s wellbeing opens doors to young people with eco-anxiety who want to protect the environment. The carnival parade not only fosters a strong sense of community among hundreds of children and young people, it also gives participants a powerful platform from which to promote the message of protecting the Baltic Sea,” explains Maria Takaeilola, chair of the Finnish Nature Association’s Baltic Sea Group.

Nationwide events and activities for people of all ages

This year marks the eighth year that Baltic Sea Day has been celebrated on the last Thursday of August. Initiated by the John Nurminen Foundation, the international event held in honour of the Baltic Sea is celebrated at numerous events all over Finland and in other Baltic Sea states. The aim of Baltic Sea Day is to inspire people to enjoy our unique sea and encourage decision-makers towards more ambitious measures to benefit the Baltic Sea.

In Finland, various organizations, companies, cities and municipalities are organizing events in 25 locations. Events are being held in Kotka, Espoo, Hanko, Salo, Turku, Pori, Vaasa and Oulu, to name a few. Helsinki will host 20 different events. The largest, Baltic Sea Festival, will see 15 event tents and more than 20 Baltic Sea Actors gather together in Kansalaistori Square. The event will also extend to Musiikkitalo, Oodi, and Finlandia Hall.  

At 6.00pm, many towns and cities will be holding a traditional Baltic Sea Day plunge, which you can also take part in independently with friends, family, or colleagues in the sea or other nearby body of water.

We must take action to improve conditions in the Baltic Sea

According to an assessment of the state of the waters published in June, just 6% of Finland’s coastal waters are in good condition. The greatest factor affecting the state of the Baltic Sea is eutrophication, which arises from excess nutrient run-off washing into the sea.

In addition to celebrations, Baltic Sea Day aims to spur decision-makers and various actors and citizens to take the Baltic Sea into consideration in their decisions. On Baltic Sea Day you can make a promise to do a good deed to benefit the Baltic Sea. 

“Some of the most effective everyday actions that help the Baltic Sea are eating a more plant-based diet and raising awareness. On Baltic Sea Day, we want to celebrate our unique sea and encourage more effective protection of the Baltic Sea,” says Baltic Sea Day producer Oona Piiroinen from the John Nurminen Foundation.