Finland's nature is disappearing unnoticed amid life's rush, reader argues

Finland, a nation known for its intensive use of forest resources, is failing to notice the gradual degradation of its natural environment, argues a reader in an opinion piece for Helsingin Sanomat. The writer contends that while forests are viewed as biomass, animal populations as resources, and fish stocks as material, the slow disappearance of nature's intrinsic value goes unnoticed amidst the rush of daily life.

The author points to the deaths of 13 Saimaa ringed seals in fishing gear as of August 20 as stark evidence that protection measures for endangered species are not working. This highlights a significant gap between scientific understanding and practical application, a chasm the writer believes Finnish society cannot bridge. The current academic environment, driven by competition, devalues societal discourse and general education, prioritizing immediate innovations and technical solutions over broader understanding.

Furthermore, the piece criticizes administrative bodies for inadequately considering the impacts of climate change, which is emerging as a primary driver of biodiversity loss, destruction, and costs. Forest management continues to rely on cultivated plantations despite biodiversity research showing the resilience of diverse forests. Practices like clear-cutting and ditching in peatland forestry persist, contributing to the darkening of waterways, which negatively affects fish growth. The writer asserts that overall sustainability is impossible if its biological foundation crumbles.

The author laments that the beauty of nature, the salmon, the capercaillie, the primeval forest, is being lost without notice. This erosion of appreciation, coupled with issues like overhunting and illegal fishing, undermines the legitimacy of all natural resource use. The piece concludes with a call for a paradigm shift: recognizing humanity's place within a balanced nature, respecting its terms, and integrating evidence-based knowledge into governance. True progress, the writer suggests, lies in effectively utilizing existing knowledge across media and all levels of administration, understanding that humans are part of the same continuum of life as all other organisms.