Who is in charge of solving the climate crisis? Decision-makers, companies or individuals?
This question is often encountered in climate debates. It is easier to transfer responsibility for what you do to someone else than to take responsibility for your own actions. There is an immense amount of work to be done in the coming years to mitigate climate change if we want to keep our planet viable. We need operators from all levels of society to be involved in this work.
Residents are not a passive part of society, but active players whose everyday choices and climate actions are also reflected in other levels of society. When our actions communicate to decision-makers and companies that we are ready for change and are even demanding it, things change.
Lauttasaari has its own climate programme
Lauttasaari-Seura’s Carbon Neutral Lauttasaari 2030 project began in 2020 as a result of residents’ climate concerns. They wanted to do something concrete to promote climate work. The core principle for the project's activities has been that no climate action is too small. Over the years, the activities have become more diverse and encouraged new volunteers to join in. Everyone participates in the activities from their own starting points.
People naturally need a community around them. If we are left alone with our own climate concerns, our unease will only increase. When we come together, we can share our concerns and develop ways to overcome them. And that is exactly what Lauttasaari is doing.
The Carbon Neutral Lauttasaari 2030 project regularly collects and shares information about residents’ consumption habits and communicates about climate issues. We organise climate seminars on current topics. We maintain our own website, social media channels and publish the HIILITÖN ("Carbon-free") podcast. We organise recycling parties, cleaning days, cooking evenings and actively collaborate with schools and companies in the area. We work together for a more sustainable future.
Lauttasaari and Maunula join Canemure
Thanks to the activity of their residents, Lauttasaari and Maunula are the first districts to be granted a Canemure sub-project in 2022. During the two-year project, carbon emissions from buildings and private transport in Lauttasaari and in Maunula are being investigated and reduced by means of resident communication and activities.
Almost 50 housing companies have already taken part in the carbon emissions calculations, the results of which can be viewed by all residents on the project’s website. During the project, we will organise a number of seminars focused on improving the energy efficiency of housing companies, and will put together a list of tips for housing companies to help them reduce emissions.
We are promoting sustainable mobility in many ways during the project. We are collecting and communicating information to the City of Helsinki about the challenges of pedestrian and bicycle traffic in Lauttasaari using a map application. We are organising events and activities related to the theme. In November, we held a car-free day in Lauttasaari. During this time, more than 80 school students and volunteers from Lauttasaari-Seura took to the streets to thank and encourage residents travelling without cars with treats and reflectors. There are also plans for a communication campaign with schoolchildren, a seminar on sustainable transport and a bicycle flea market.
Together we are more
In the face of climate change, it is easy to feel powerless. No one should be left alone in this matter either. When we find people who share the same concerns and form groups and larger communities that work together, change is possible.
For me, the most important thing in climate work is its significance, the connection to other people and nature. There is no need to be perfect, and no need to do it alone. Every action for the climate or nature is valuable and important. Together, we can also do more good.
You can read more about the Carbon Neutral Lauttasaari 2030 project on the Carbon Neutral Lauttasaari website (hiilineutraalilauttasaari.fi).
Author
Elisa Julin
Canemure Project Coordinator
Lauttasaari-Seura ry