A new perspective on tackling climate change
According to a number of surveys Finland has even been ranked the best country in the world. It rose to first place for competitiveness and for sustainable development during my premiership. We have a high level of expertise matched by an ability to organize things. Our welfare model is world famous. Finland is also famous around the world for its willingness to co-operate and we are also a trusted nation.
As President I would encourage the formation of a new perspective on tackling climate change. That is Finland’s new task in the world.
It has been noted that the climate is changing even faster than was earlier predicted. Slowing down this climate change is the big question for which our age will either be remembered in history, or will not be remembered at all. For our generation this is a question of responsibility and the actions of individuals alone, or even of individual states are not enough to make a difference.
The question of climate change broke through from the activists’ agenda to the mainstream a few years ago. It appeared clear that in the future it would be the question steering all discussion and decision-making. Al Gore’s documentary An inconvenient truth was shown in cinema theatres around the world. The UN Climate Change panel won the Nobel prize. The media produced carbon footprint calculators.
And then what happened? Have we succeeded in stopping global warming? No. Have countries achieved agreements that are immediately binding? No.
On the contrary. Many of the indicators of the progress of global warming actually show that climate change is happening faster than predicted even just a few years ago. Yet still the question of climate change has dropped from topping the political agenda to a being a side issue, and the Durban meeting did little to substantially change this.
We need international co-operation, a common will and policy and we also need globally approved climate legislation. We also need ongoing scientific research into the leading causes of global warming and concrete actions in those areas where people can impact climate change. Of these, the prevention of the destruction of the rain forests is the one that must be taken most seriously.
Finland must take a leading role in the international work addressing climate change. We have the competence and proof of this competence. We should just seize this responsibility and save the planet for the future generations.
