Nature magazine illustration
Finlands natur
Since 2022, I have contributed caricatures and illustrations to Finlands Natur, the Swedish-language nature magazine published by Natur och Miljö, which is published four times a year.
1/2022
According to the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), no more than 321 wolves roamed Finland that year. An endangered species in need of protection, despite persistent calls for culling.
2/2022
While the European Union condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many EU countries continued to finance the war by purchasing Russian oil and gas worth billions of euros.
3/2022
Despite the Baltic Sea’s severe pollution and eutrophication problems, cargo ships are still allowed to discharge untreated sewage directly into its waters without consequence.
4/2022
The Natural Resources Institute Finland recently revised its estimates of forest carbon sinks after new research revealed major discrepancies with earlier calculations. Old assumptions and new findings no longer align.
1/2023
Pesticide Action Network Europe criticized Finland for leading the EU in exemptions for banned pesticides. Among them are neonicotinoids, highly toxic chemicals harmful to pollinators and birdlife.
2/2023
According to the Finnish fishing industry, around 80% of all fish consumed in Finland is imported. As the condition of the Baltic Sea deteriorates, the supply of domestic fish declines, leaving our midsummer tables increasingly dependent on catches from neighboring countries.
3/2023
“There are no mistakes, just happy little accidents” seems to be the guiding principle behind Petteri Orpo’s crooked environmental policy.
4/2023
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has pushed for a weaker protection status for wolves. Critics noted that the move came shortly after one of her ponies was killed by a wolf, making the decision appear personal.
1/2024
Excessive forest logging could cost Finland €2.5 billion in emission allowances to offset shrinking carbon sinks. The greater loss, however, is nature itself.
2/2024
While the European Union condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many EU countries continued to finance the war by purchasing Russian oil and gas worth billions of euros.
3/2024
Sweden wants to curb fishing in the Baltic Sea in line with scientific advice, while Finland continues to oppose stricter limits despite warnings that herring stocks are in decline.
4/2024
Researchers at Loughborough Business School estimate that 2.5–3.7 percent of global energy consumption goes to data storage. Much of it is spent preserving digital clutter few of us ever revisit.
1/2025
Climate change has weakened the Arctic sea ice to the point that it could disappear entirely during summer. Species such as walruses, which depend on sea ice for resting and breeding, are among the many victims.
2/2025
The Finnish government is investing heavily in small modular reactors and other unproven technologies. Critics argue that the gamble could come at the expense of both taxpayers and the environment.
3/2025
A chilly start to the Finnish summer drove many to the Mediterranean, where they were met by heatwaves, drought and wildfires – all intensified by the emissions from the flights that brought them there.
4/2025
The prime ministers of Finland and Sweden have lobbied the EU to support policies favouring intensive forestry. Judging by recent decisions, their efforts appear to be paying off.
1/2026
The debate over wolf hunting escalated rapidly, with calls to increase the quota from 65 to 100 animals. That would mean killing nearly one in five wolves in Finland.
2/2026
Despite protests from environmental organisations, the state-owned enterprise Metsähallitus plans to log endangered forest habitats and turn them into pulp.
