The Challenge of Helsinki and Turku for the Baltic Sea
In June 2007 the Finnish cities of Turku and Helsinki made a commitment to improve the state of the Baltic Sea as declared by their Mayors. The objective is to improve the state of the local waters as well as of the entire Baltic Sea. By their own commitment the cities want to show initiative and reduce their own loading to waters.
The measures of the two cities concern point source loading, improving the cities' sewage networks, loading from scattered settlement areas, agriculture in the two cities, the handling of waste water from shipping and boating, and dredging carried out by the harbours. In addition to the concrete measures for water protection, the cities are also committed to investing in international environmental collaboration, water protection research and providing general information and raising consciousness of the state of the Baltic Sea and how to improve it.
The cities of Helsinki and Turku challenge other actors to join the work for improving the state of the Baltic Sea. The challenge is directed themewise to different actors. In addition to cities, public sector, research and education institutions, NGOs, labour unions, business organisations and private citizens are invited to participate. Challenged actors are expected to draft their own action plan, which entails a list of new concrete actions to improve the state of their local waters and of the Baltic Sea.
Especially Turku and Helsinki propose that the cooperation networks of the Baltic cities, Baltic Metropolises and Union of the Baltic Cities, would together take the challenge campaign forward.
