New synergy

Solutions local, together -conference has been speeded up by a workshop last week. In the workshop the content of the conference was further developed by representatives from different levels. It was fascinating to see how the interaction between the different representatives describes really well the state of the sustainable development in the Baltic Sea Region. Common will with several approaches to reach it.

Baltic Sea Region can be described as a huge web with different networks that are interlined with each others. The amount of strategies that aim to guide the development is numerous and it is sometimes very hard to see the red line that would run through all of them. If we add to it also the plans of the local levels, we are definitely going to be exhausted and most likely also confused. If we limit the look at the Nordic countries, we are most likely to see some similarities and common challenges. These are the areas that the conference will focus on.

One important aspect to the sustainable development is the role of the media in relation to the citizens, decision makers and science. The common language is still in many cases missing and for this we are in need of tools that would enlighten the Baltic Sea web for all of us. It remains to be seen if we are able to find solutions for this too in one years time!

Balanced article?

In the kitchen, Lucas opens the local news paper where there is a long article about energy company that would like to locate wind mills near the city. The local residents are opposing the plans and claim that it would spoil their view and also damage the local attractive surrounding. The article also raises possible noise as one reason to oppose the project.

Only in couple of sentences the positive results of such investments are explained. Lucas is surprised, as this is exactly what would need to be highlighted. He would be willing to buy wind energy knowing that it is renewable and will not damage the environment. In the long run it would even be cheaper for the locals as they are not so dependent on external sources. Are the pros and cons in balance in the article?

Lucas would like to support the company and starts to think who actually has the power in matters like this. Is it really in the hands of consumers or actually does media have a bigger role to play? In the article all interested stakeholders are invited to take part in a citizens forum organized tonight in the city hall. Lucas decides to take part in it to find out more.

Why so hard?

During the planning process of the conference, it has become evident that we all need to change they way we think. We have been taught to be good consumers and put the benefits of our own organization or family before anything else. Sustainable thinking requires that the common benefits are the main ones to be concerned about without necessarily ourselves as the direct beneficiaries. This means that we need to question a lot, such as our purchases and travels.

It is not easy to start to think what is really needed and what could be done for the benefit of others, rather then just thinking individualistically. A new way of cautious consumerism is rising. All of our actions have an effect and if the effect causes a chain reaction, a positive spin towards sustainability, we have been successful. The satisfaction that can be received from that is huge.

The Solutions conference is looking for such new way of thinking that has caused chain reactions for the benefit of us all. You can start today by asking for locally produced food in a restaurant or from the shop. Good luck!

Meet Lucas

Lucas has a family with two children, a wife and a dog. He was recently made redundant. The company decided to transfer the entire operations to China. For couple of weeks he had been feeling low, but now a new inspiration comes through in his behavior. He has decided to cope with the situation.

Lucas has gone though the family expenditures and decided that it is time to think again. Luckily his wife still has her job, so it is more to do with the lifestyle and living conditions that Lucas has decided to focus on. He has listed all the necessary expenses and started to wonder what they are composed of. As doing that he realizes that things could be done differently without loosing the standard of living. For making the right decision he needs to get more information.

After hours of searching via Internet, he is confused. Lucas realizes that he needs to change, not just his expenditure, but also the whole way of thinking. This will not be easy. Lucas heads for kitchen to have a cup of coffee.