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.

We curb nutrient discharges and combat environmental risks.

We improve the status of the Baltic Sea by reducing the nutrient load and environmental risks faced by the sea. We diminish the Sea’s eutrophicating nutrient load from various sources – from wastewater treatment plants, industry, fertilizer transportation overseas, and from agriculture and forestry. Moreover, our projects remove nutrients already in the sea with fish stock management and reed mowing.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

We influence decision-makers.

We strive to have an impact on the EU’s rural programmes and national subsidy policies so as to ensure funding for new and fast methods alongside the deployment of measures that reduce nutrient discharges in the long run, and also in order to direct environmental subsidies to more efficient waterway protection measures.

We promote the wellbeing of marine nature and the sustainable use of the sea.

Eutrophication and climate change also impact fish stocks that are economically important to people, and the poor status of the sea harms many other livelihoods. To curb discharges, we need the immediate cooperation of all countries in the Baltic Sea area, and tangible measures that ensure the wellbeing of the Sea.

We work to put a stop to trash in the Sea.

Together with our partners, we participate in shore cleaning rallies and the Muoviton meri (plastic-free sea) campaign. Increasing volumes of plastic trash pose a threat to marine life in the Baltic Sea as well as in the other seas of the world. Once in the sea, plastics are slowly broken down to small particles. Microplastics from transportation and wastewater treatment plants also end up in the Sea.

We promote cooperation.

Saving the Baltic Sea requires cross-border cooperation between various stakeholders, sectors, and states. Together with other stakeholders, we seek to find solutions and implement measures in the entire catchment area of the Baltic Sea. With the status of an official observer, our experts also participate in the work of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission HELCOM.

We disseminate information on Baltic Sea protection.

We believe that knowledge leads to motivation! We inform people of the problems of the Baltic Sea, and of the various measures that can improve the wellbeing of our Sea. We instruct consumers on how to make sustainable choices, and also support the environmental education of children and youth. Saving the Baltic Sea is not only in the hands of decision-makers. Even small deeds make a difference, and we all can do our share.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PROTECTION TIPS HERE.
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