Press releases

Boreal lakes emit greenhouse gases, but the magnitude of the emissions is still inadequately quantified. While the emissions of carbon dioxide and methane have been addressed earlier, those of nitrous oxide (N2O) have received little interest. A Finnish study published in Global Change Biology increases significantly the knowledge on the nitrous oxide emissions from boreal lakes. A joint project of Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Natural Resources Insti

Finnish peatlands are under a bigger pressure from land use than has generally been realised. More than half of the peatland area has been drained, and most of the remaining undrained peatlands are bordered by drained areas. A study by the University of Eastern Finland and the Finnish Environment Institute investigated the current status of undrained peatlands.

Children like vegetables, fruit, and berries that they have grown and cooked themselves. Day-care centres can reduce their food wastage through long-term cooperation and planning. Interaction between children and nature can be enhanced by taking long excursions into the outdoors, by planting and nurturing plants, and by letting children play with natural materials, soil, and natural water. These results are confirmed by Nature step towards wellbeing (Luontoaskel hyvinvointiin), a project aimed a

There are dozens of different environmental labels and ecodesign tools for products in operation in the marketplace. The environmental information on products intended for consumers should be harmonised. This would also contribute to a level of competitive playing field.The environmental footprint, which was developed based on life cycle assessment, increases the accuracy, reliability and comparability of environmental information of products.

In ecological compensation local damage caused by construction or industry is offset by improving biodiversity elsewhere. The principle is that the compensation is paid by the one that causes the damage. The SYKE Policy Brief published today states that legislation is needed to create rules for the compensation. The publication is aimed at decision-makers and companies.