Finns are, apparently, much more concerned about the state of nature on a global scale than in their own country. To find out what our relationship with nature and the conservation of biodiversity is like, as well as how to distribute responsibility among the various stakeholders, a study was conducted on the Finnish connection to nature.

56% of respondents are concerned or very concerned about the state of nature in Finland, while 80% are concerned or very concerned about the state of nature globally.

Compared to the barometer conducted in 2020, anxiety about the state of nature has increased both globally and regarding Finland. The proportion of citizens concerned about the global state of nature has increased by 9%, while the proportion of those concerned about Finland's nature has increased by 15%.

47% of respondents have become more aware of biodiversity and the loss of biodiversity in recent years, for example, thanks to information they have seen in the media. Awareness has grown particularly among entrepreneurs and young people under the age of 25. The majority (68%) are interested in the natural environment and biodiversity.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, 20% of respondents felt that their connection with nature had changed. Of those, 92% believe that this connection has become more positive. During the pandemic, the connection to nature changed especially among students and pupils, as well as young people under the age of 25. The majority of Finns (92%) believe that clean nature is an important part of Finnish identity.

Biodiversity loss is included in the list of main threats to nature

Respondents consider pollution and environmental toxins (53% of those surveyed), climate change (45%), littering (35%), and biodiversity loss (33%) as the biggest threats to our nature. This means that the significance of biodiversity loss as a threat has increased compared to the first survey, in which 25% of respondents considered biodiversity loss to be a threat.

Pollution and environmental toxins were cited as the biggest threats to our nature across many respondent categories. For young people under 25, the main problem was litter (58%), while for students and pupils it was climate change (56%).

From the perspective of biodiversity protection and sustainable use, 86% of respondents felt it was important to reduce eutrophication, the use of pesticides, and littering. The majority of respondents believed that nature improves human health and well-being and that the value of nature cannot be measured in money. Furthermore, respondents felt that nature should be taken into more account when developing cities.

Responsibility for Finnish nature lies with everyone

According to the respondents, the primary responsibility for the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity in Finland lies with every citizen. State and municipal authorities, companies, landowners, and politicians are also responsible. The same stakeholders were mentioned in the survey conducted in 2020. Compared to 2020, the number of responses indicating that companies have a high or very high responsibility increased by 5%.

The majority (89%) believe that nature is important or very important. There are some differences in this regard between age categories. Residents aged 45 to 64 considered nature to be the most important, while students and pupils considered it the least important.

Of those surveyed, 51% are active for the benefit of biodiversity. Most of them do so by taking biodiversity into account in their consumption and eating habits. The most important motivating factors that prompted action for the benefit of biodiversity were the importance of nature (58%) and children and future generations (48%).

Finns spend a lot of time in nature

Of the respondents, 41% spend time in nature several times a week, and only 3% never do. Green spaces and parks near their place of residence are important to Finns: 40% of those surveyed consider them to be the most important natural environment. In 2018, the same 40% of respondents considered them the most important natural areas, but in the 2020 survey, this proportion was only 32%. Among the respondent categories, students and pupils (56%) and those living alone (50%) considered nearby green spaces to be particularly important, whereas for entrepreneurs they were less important (24% considered them important).

60% of respondents prefer to enjoy peace and quiet in nature, while 54% of respondents want to engage in physical activities. The most popular activities in nature are picking berries or mushrooms and hiking in the forest.

73% of Finns engage in physical activity in their gardens several times a week, while 45% engage in physical activity in green spaces and parks near their homes several times a week. People spend less time in national parks, other protected areas and hiking spots, as well as in the vicinity of their holiday homes. Young people (under 25) are currently spending more time than before in national parks, protected areas, and hiking areas.

The third barometer on the connection to nature

This was the third time that a barometer on the connection to nature was conducted at the request of the Ministry of the Environment and the Finnish Environment Institute SYKE. The previous ones were conducted in 2020 and 2018. The survey was carried out by the consulting firm MDI, which specialises in regional development, and respondents were recruited using the CINT service.

64% of respondents were women. The proportion of women was 14% higher than in the survey conducted in 2020. This time, there were no respondents over 65 among the participants, whereas in 2020 their share was 14%.
Source: Finnish Ministry of the Environment