Parliamentary Elections 2023

The John Nurminen Foundation is aiming to get measures to improve the condition of the Archipelago Sea into the Government Programme 2023–2027. By 2027, the agricultural load in the Archipelago Sea catchment area must no longer appear on the Baltic Sea Protection Commission’s (HELCOM) Hot Spot list.

The Baltic Sea is an indicator of climate change and nature loss

Eutrophication continues to be the biggest problem in the Baltic Sea. Although the situation is particularly bad in the Archipelago Sea region, eutrophication is also worsening in the Gulf of Bothnia.

The further climate change progresses, the more severe this eutrophication will be.
The John Nurminen Foundation is implementing both green-transition and blue-economy measures to reduce the nutrient load that causes eutrophication.

Parliamentary elections 2023: action to save the Baltic Sea

The John Nurminen Foundation’s election themes 2023–2027 are:

1) Cutting nutrient emissions from agriculture

In order to save the Baltic Sea, nutrient emissions that leach into the sea must be effectively cut; and particularly in agriculture, as it accounts for 70% of the eutrophicating phosphorus load in the Baltic Sea and no less than 87% in the Archipelago Sea.

Manure recycling
* recycled manure nutrients from livestock farms should be transferred to farms that focus on cultivating crops
* national support to correct nutrient imbalances caused by the localised accumulation of manure phosphorus
* support for transferring manure nutrients in order to improve the condition of the Baltic Sea and inland waters, and to enable the green transition and self-sufficient agriculture

Gypsum treatment of fields
* permanent funding to continue the gypsum treatment of fields will immediately reduce phosphorus emissions from agriculture in 2024
* a funding programme to ensure the implementation of effective water protection measures, such as gypsum treatment

Recycling digestates from biogas production
* digestate processing should be an environmental permit criterion for biogas plants, as this would allow nutrients to be transported away from areas with a nutrient surplus

Utilising renewable biomasses
* a support scheme for the profitable use of alternative renewable biomasses (such as reeds) to replace peat
* further funding for programmes that are developing reed bed mowing and the utilisation of reed pulp

2) Marine nature conservation

Increasing biodiversity loss can be seen in the Baltic Sea. Action to reduce marine eutrophication is vital for safeguarding biodiversity. Marine nature is also under increasing pressure from harmful substances and the impacts of climate change. Valuable marine habitats need protection.

Implementing a biodiversity strategy
* 30% of the Baltic Sea’s underwater nature should be protected, and one third of this should be strictly protected by 2030
* adequate funding must be assured for the implementation of this biodiversity strategy

Reducing eutrophication
* marine conservation efforts should be targeted on the most ecologically valuable underwater areas that have been identified during marine nature surveys
* further funding for the HELMI programme, which finances improvements to coastal environments and the mowing of reed beds
* further funding for effective water protection measures that reduce eutrophication in the Baltic Sea.

In the 2023 parliamentary elections, remember to vote for policymakers who are prepared take action to save the Baltic Sea.