The Baltic Sea is a unique, northern brackish sea: it is one of a kind in the entire world. Human activities burden the fragile nature of the Baltic Sea.
Our goal is a thriving Baltic Sea without excess nutrients or algae, with sufficient oxygen in the seabed, and with a diverse and robust ecosystem.
Information on the Baltic Sea
Eutrophication is the most severe of the problems faced by the Baltic Sea, but oil and chemicals transportation, biodiversity loss, and climate change, too, pose a threat to our beloved Sea. We at the John Nurminen Foundation do tangible work to save the Baltic Sea.
For the Baltic Sea to be saved, we need the cooperation of all stakeholders, both in Finland and internationally. The joint Baltic Sea programme of the coastal states of the Sea, i.e. the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), directs the work to improve the status of the Sea, but we are lagging behind of our goals. In fact, Finland is itself responsible for the wellbeing of its coastal waters, and this is an area where we still have our work cut out for us. Our eutrophicated coastal waters are burdened by nutrient runoff from agriculture and forestry, in particular.
Get to know the Baltic Sea
The small and shallow Baltic Sea is particularly sensitive to discharges and changes in the environment. Learn more about the special characteristics of the Baltic Sea.
Eutrophication
The greatest problem faced by the Baltic Sea is eutrophication, caused by an excess of nutrients. Even though we have been able to halve the nutrient load of the Baltic Sea in the past few decades, the symptoms of eutrophication, such as toxic blue algae blooms and an anoxic seabed, continue to afflict the Baltic Sea. Read more on eutrophication.
The Baltic Sea and climate change
A warming climate changes the Baltic Sea, and impacts underwater life in many ways. Climate change also further accelerates the eutrophication of the Sea. Learn more about climate change and the Baltic Sea.
Marine biodiversity
The nature of the Baltic Sea, with its low temperatures and brackish waters, is unique. As a consequence of human activities, marine biodiversity is under threat. Read more on marine nature protection.
Threats faced by the Baltic Sea
In addition to eutrophication, the fragile nature of the Baltic Sea is threatened by e.g. increasing marine transportation with its oil and chemicals cargos; microplastics and trash; and various kinds of harmful substances and environmental toxins. Read more.
What do we do?
The objective of our work at the John Nurminen Foundation is to reach a good ecological status for the Baltic Sea, i.e. a sea without excess nutrients or algae, with sufficient oxygen in the seabed, and with a diverse and robust ecosystem. Our goal is a thriving Baltic Sea.
We save the Baltic Sea for future generations.