The signs of change in Finland

Single natural catastrophes cannot be blamed on climate change, but their strengthening can be seen as a part of the climate change.

According to researchers of the Worldwatch institute, Hurricane Katrina, which raged in the U.S. in September 2005, got additional strength from the unusually warm ocean.

In Finland, the strength of change is still quite week, but the change can already be seen as unusually long rain periods, both in winter and summer. Even though the change has already begun, it does not mean that all future summers and winters would be equally rainy, it only means that the number of rainy winters will increase relatively.

Will mites take over Finland?

It has been estimated in different scenarios that in year 2100, southern Finland will live in a middle-European climate. Winters will be even 6 degrees Celsius warmer and snow cover will recede further up north.

This will bring along/about both pros and cons. Longer growing seasons and lower heating costs can be seen as pros.

However, the list of cons is longer. Northern tree species will become rare, and cold water fish species, like salmon, will suffer from the warming of waters. Warmer water temperatures will also enhance algae growth.

Different pathogens and pests, like mites, will spread at a larger area and increase in number. Allergy season will grow longer.

The change has to start with us

In Finland, the changes have remained quite small compared to the rest of the world. It is the poor areas of the world that suffer most already now, and who cannot respond to the ever-worsening droughts and pests.

Rich western countries suffer form climate change mostly financially first, even though most pollution originates from these areas. This is why the change has to start with us.

Each person can make a change with one's own actions! Learn from our study material how we answered the call in Varsinais-Suomi.

12.9.2005 Anna Koivisto