Finns have learned to live with the land in a respectful, sustainable way for many years. I tried to buy paper for school here, and it was quite expensive! That is because the lumber industry here is tightly regulated and cutting down trees to make pulp, paper or other products cost more than usual. The Sámi native people have resourcefully and humanely raised reindeer and used every part in stews, clothing, recreation and transportation. They also understand how to survive extreme temperatures by living with nature, and not fighting against it. One famous Finnish military sniper held snow in his mouth so enemies could not see the steam from his breath. Today, even children learn how to ski and skate from a young age, how to avoid poisonous mushrooms and how to recycle year-round, with multiple trash cans in the cafeterias for regular waste, biodegradable waste (which is thrown into special green biodegradable bags!) and recyclables. Finland has also built the first environmental-friendly, dual-fuel icebreaker ship on earth. All of these are examples of how Finnish people live in harmony with nature and preserve it.
Some people are concerned that this sustainable way of life will make things difficult for Finland in the global market; if other countries produce more paper, for example, at a lower cost, even if it is not sustainable, then Finland may fall behind. However, I believe that in modern times, we should be more concerned about our true resources: the environment, its resources, our health and our future. Money, unfortunately, cannot buy many of these items.
