The Environment Is Our Common Heritage

Environmental issues have become far too political. Sometimes it almost seems that people switch off as soon as you start talking about “the environment”.

If you are on one side of the political spectrum, it is easy to become blind to other perspectives. Environmental issues can become a red flag. On the other side of the political spectrum, the focus is often on measures that have little effect but cause a great deal of irritation.

I think we need to talk about the environment in a different way. Not just about politics, rules and taxes, but about common sense, honour and tradition.

Common sense

If you make a mess, you should clean it up. It is as simple as that. It applies to rubbish on the ground, pollution in the water, particles in the air and even dirty dishes in the kitchen. We all have a responsibility for what we leave behind.

Honour

I think it should be a matter of honour to leave the earth in better shape than we found it. Not because someone tells us to, but because it is simply the right thing to do.

Tradition

We should make sure that the next generation has the same chance we have had to enjoy nature – to pick berries, fish, hunt, go for walks and simply spend time outdoors. These are traditions worth keeping. But they depend on there still being a nature to enjoy.

The environment is not just a piece of land, a forest or a field. It is the natural cycles and conditions that make life possible on Earth. I think most of us want those to continue, so that people can have a good life in the future too.

Here, close to home, a lot of this is about the Baltic Sea. It is a small and shallow sea with limited water exchange with the North Sea, which makes it particularly vulnerable to nutrient pollution. This leads to oxygen-depleted sea beds and, at times, severe algal blooms.

We need to tackle pollution from farming and forestry. Some of the decisions needed may not be very popular. And those who deny that there is a problem often argue that there is no point in doing anything because other countries are doing even worse.

But that is exactly the attitude we need to get away from. We should not be satisfied with coming second when we have the chance to be the best. If we want to ask others to do more, we also have to be willing to do our own part.

It is not about being perfect. It is about showing that things can be done differently – and making it a little easier for others to follow.

Taking care of the environment does not always have to start with politics. It can start with ourselves. With a little common sense, a sense of honour and respect for the traditions we want to pass on.

And then simply doing our part.