FINLAND

“Saving nature for people.”

– Government resolution 2012
 Finland is a Nordic country in Northern
Europe bordered by Sweden to the west,
Norway to the north and Russia to the east.
Its capital is Helsinki and the recognised
languages are Swedish and Finnish. Finland
joined European Union on the of January
1995.
Being a country of forests and lakes, is
perhaps best known for its unspoilt natural
beauty. Finland provides many good
examples of how to protect the natural
environment. Wide-ranging and detailed
environmental data and high levels of
technological skill form the basis of Finland's
effective environmental protection policies.
As one of the world's wealthiest
industrialised countries, Finland is also able
to afford vital environmental investments.
Finland's low population density and
comparatively unspoilt natural environment
also facilitate nature conservation.
 The main aim of environmental protection
is to anticipate risks and prevent damage
before any harm is done. The fruits of
successful environmental policies are clearly
visible around the country. Many polluted
lakes and rivers have been cleaned up. Air
quality has improved greatly around industrial
locations. There has also been progress in
controlling emissions from agriculture,
transport and homes.
There are at least 1,500 lakes around
Finland where more active ecological
restoration measures such as selective fishing,
oxygenation or the removal of aquatic
vegetation would be needed to combat
eutrophication effectively. Such measures
have already been applied in almost a
thousand lakes.
Finland is Europe's most forested
country, with more than 70% of the land
covered with forests. About 17,000 km2 of
forest is strictly protected. Finland's forest
resources are increasing as the natural growth
of forests more than compensates for the
amounts of timber logged.
 Climate change and the consequent reduction in snow
and ice cover could prove to be fateful for animals such as
the Saimaa ringed seal, Thanks to the efforts of
conservationists, seal numbers have risen slowly since the
1980s. Also, the number of Finland's large carnivores, bear,
lynx, wolf and wolverine, has increased in recent years.
Finland's national bird, the whooper swan, has also become
more widespread since the end of the 1950s.
• National organizations
The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (FANC)
-its purpose is to protect the environment, promote nature
conservation, preserve cultural heritage, and promote active
citizenship and environmental awareness.
Nature League of Finland
-focuses on young people's self-motivated environmental
activity.

• International organizations
European Environmental Bureau
-a federation of 132 citizens' environmental organizations in
Europe
World Conservation Union
-helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most
pressing environment and development challenges
Bibliography

• www.europe.eu
• www.finland.fi
• www.mmm.fi
• www.sll.fi