National parks and the right of "everyone
The "right of everyone"(jokamiehenoikeudet) allows everyone in Finland to roam freely in nature - in public spaces and private property - and to pick berries and mushrooms. A number of associations offer outings to discover the edible and medicinal plants of the undergrowth. The fashion for "forest bathing" is flourishing here. The health benefits of these nature walks are now recognized, and the municipality of Sipoo, near Helsinki, offers its citizens suffering from anxiety disorders, depression or high levels of stress forest walking cures. There's no need to leave the capital for a nature bath: Helsinki abounds in parks and gardens, which you'll enjoy discovering as you stroll through the city. Green spaces cover a third of the city.
There are 40 national parks in Finland, which combine the preservation of remarkable ecosystems with the welcoming of visitors. They are criss-crossed by waymarked trails and equipped with bivouac sites and refuges that serve as shelters. These include
Nuuksio National Park : 30 km from Helsinki and accessible by train, this is home to magnificent forests, ponds and eskers, curious fluvio-glacial formations. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of flying squirrels.
Archipelago National Park : protects the chain of islands off the southwest coast. Considered one of the world's most beautiful archipelagos, it is accessible from Turku and can be explored by canoe for the more adventurous.
Teijo National Park : home to a wide variety of natural environments, including forests and lakes. Easily accessible by train from the capital, it offers superb hiking and canoeing opportunities.
Koli National Park : located in the east of the country and accessible by train, it protects some of the country's most emblematic landscapes: the Ukko-Koli hill and Lake Pielinen, which can be explored in all seasons.
Hossa National Park : located in north-east Finland, this park is home to remarkable ecosystems, including the Julma-Ölkky canyon lake, as well as Neolithic cave paintings.
Oulanka National Park: located in southern Lapland, is home to a remarkable landscape of gorges and bubbling rivers, which can be explored along the Karhunkierros (Bear Trail) and its suspension bridges. For thrill-seekers.
Pyhä-Luosto National Park: located in Lapland, this park protects remarkable ecosystems (forests, mountains). Accessible all year round, it's an ideal spot for discovering the northern lights.
Repovesi National Park : located in the south-east of the country, this park boasts a wide variety of environments, including lakes, hills and cliffs.
Urho Kekkonen National Park : protects Lapland's ecosystems, including Mount Korvatuntu, said to be the birthplace of Santa Claus.
Soft mobility
Finland is accessible by bike (4 Eurovéloroutes cross the country: the Sun, Baltic, Eastern European and Iron Curtain). It's also possible to get there by sea, or by train. Once here, it's easy to use the rail network. Helsinki has one of the most efficient and interconnected public transport networks in Europe. Cycle paths are cleared of snow and people of all ages pedal all year round, as in Oulou, where the modal share of cycling is 22% and winter temperatures can sometimes reach -30°C.
Healthy air and water quality
According to the WHO, Finland is the best-breathing country in the world, with fine particle levels 3 times lower than the threshold values. This is due to various factors (presence of forests, demographics, etc.) but also to a proactive policy, with strict standards for industry. In Helsinki, low-emission vehicles and boats are offered preferential rates. The issue of Baltic waters is more worrying. Finland has fairly efficient wastewater treatment systems. However, water laden with nitrates and pesticides from intensive farming ends up in the sea. Added to this is pollution from shipping activities and industries in the various countries. The Helsinki Commission initiated the Baltic Sea Action Plan 2007-2021 to combat pollution and protect biodiversity, which was updated in 2021 with new objectives and means of action.
Towards energy independence
In 2016, the country's energy mix was based on fossil fuels (peat, coal, oil and gas), but also renewables (mainly biomass) and nuclear power. The country has decided to abandon coal for electricity generation by 2029 and to reduce its dependence on oil, notably through the development of biofuels. One of the sectors that consumes the most energy is the residential-tertiary sector. To alleviate this problem, Helsinki uses chillers. These devices use surplus hot water from the district heating network and transform it into a cooling system, by adding water from the Baltic Sea.
Towards the circular economy
The circular economy is spreading across all sectors. In Helsinki, for example, you'll find zero-waste restaurants and fashion stores where you don't buy clothes... but borrow them. A fine example of the economy of functionality! As far as household waste is concerned, the country boasts excellent recycling rates. Each household sorts its waste at source, using 6 dedicated containers: biowaste, glass, plastic, paper, cardboard and miscellaneous. The country has recently set up a material recovery system for plastic waste.
Schools in the forest
What if it all started here? As early as the day nursery, children spend time in nature and learn about the environment. The educational programs focus on climate change in a cross-cutting way, to explain the phenomenon and the actions to be taken. Methods are based on both theoretical and practical teaching. They also aim to empower students, develop their critical thinking skills and their ability to help others.
