echoes-archive

Questions and answers about the EU’s role in the Arctic

11.8.2021

A report ‘Overview of EU actions in the Arctic and their impact’ was published in June 2021. It presents an overview of EU policies, initiatives and projects that are of relevance for the Arctic. The report was written by a team of experts and led by Research Professor Timo Koivurova.

How will Finland’s Arctic strategy change? / Miten Suomen ark­ti­nen stra­te­gia muut­tuu?

29.3.2021

The new strategy rightly places the fight against climate change and adaptation to it at the heart of Finland’s Arctic Strategy.

COVID-19 pandemic brings Arctic Council work to a standstill / Koronaviruspandemia lamauttaa Arktisen neuvoston toimintaa

12.10.2020

Like many people around the world, my life changed dramatically in March. I went from being a relatively migratory person, travelling around the Arctic for work, to being stuck at home.

Is this the end of the Arctic Council and the Arctic governance as we know it? / Ovatko Arktinen neuvosto ja arktinen hallinto sellaisina kuin ne tunnemme tulleet tiensä päähän?

16.12.2019

For a long time, many of us observing Arctic affairs have been using the term Rovaniemi Arctic spirit when we refer to Arctic international co-operation. It aims to capture the sentiment that it is in this region that Arctic states can foster peace and international co-operation, even if there are tensions between their overall relations. This spirit is now in danger, and I will explain why.

Why are we so afraid of China, even here in the North? / Miksi pelkäämme niin paljon Kiinaa, jopa täällä pohjolassa?

29.10.2019

Do you still remember how Japan was feared in the West? After World War II until the early 1990’s, the country's economy grew at such a speed that, especially in the United States, there were fears of Japanese economic influence spreading its tentacles to all sectors of the society. Many popular books and manifests were produced to counter the Japanese economic Pearl Harbor.

Did Finland fail as the Chair of the Arctic Council? / Epäonnistuiko Suomi arktisena puheenjohtajana?

13.5.2019

Is our world order changing? / Onko maailmanjärjestyksemme muuttumassa?

14.3.2019

By simplifying the research of international relations into state-individuals, small and large, we do not promote understanding of the diversity of this system. / Kansainvälisen politiikan tutkimuksen yksinkertaistamisella yksilö-valtioihin, pieniin ja suuriin, emme edistä ymmärrystä järjestelmän monimuotoisuudesta.

The reason I was angry with the media

28.2.2019

I was angry with the media for a long time. Many newspapers and news sites told us that there was a gold rush going on in the Arctic, in my opinion on flimsy grounds.

l Climate change will destroy us - is there anything left for us to do?

16.5.2018

Climate change exacerbates the weather phenomena around the world in different ways. We get plenty of snow, somewhere else there are more hurricanes. Climate change also seems to exacerbate opinions on what we could do about it.

What are the commonalities between hobbits and the Arctic Council?

28.3.2018

I participated in various roles in the meetings of the Arctic Council from 19 to 23 March. Many important issues were discussed and debated during the meetings of the Sustainable Development Working Group and the Senior Arctic Officials. . For instance, the eight member states (USA, Russia, Canada and the five Nordic states), indigenous peoples’ organizations (permanent participants) and observers were dealing with the fight against climate change or how to advance the region in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.