The well-being of the Baltic Sea is everyone’s business
SuomiAreena festival, Tuesday 7th of July, Pori market square and stage. Research Manager Minna Keinänen-Toivola was invited as one of the speakers of "Puhtaa mere pualest! Ja jazzii kans!" (For a clean sea! And a little jazz with it!) discussion to open the role of the Maritime Logistics Research Center in maintaining and ensuring the well-being of the Baltic Sea.
The debate was at times heated but constructive: different points of view is exactly what is needed to ensure that the outcome of the process of permitting and limiting emissions from factories, for example, is the most beneficial for the environment.
SAMK and the Marine Logistics Research Centre are involved in the environmantal themes in many different ways. Not only the experts of the future study at SAMK, but the research and numerous projects of the research center also provide new knowledge and concrete benefits, for example in the developoment of the circular economy or digitalisation of logistics.
— We should not forget that what is valid knowledge today may not be valid in ten years' time, Minna Keinänen-Toivola points out.
That is why research is needed as well as working together with business to keep up with the changing needs and requirements of different stakeholders. Environmental aspect can be noticed by listening carefully to the operating environment and bringing together actors of the maritime cluster.
— The Baltic Sea is everyone's business, and we at SAMK are trying to tackle its challenges in many ways. For one, Meremme tähden project has been on hold due to the obvious reason, but we will certainly become active again and the Maritime Logistics Research Centre will do its part for the common good here too, promises Keinänen-Toivola.
The other panelists of the "Puhtaa mere pualest! ja jazzii kans!" discussion were Harri Helminen (Specialist, ELY Centre of Southwest Finland), Iris Mäntylä (Master's degree student in Environmental Science, University of Helsinki) and Jouni Lehtimäki (Deputy Attorney, Licentiate of Law, Jouni Lehtimäki Oy). The discussion was part of the SuomiAreena festival, which coincides with PoriJazz and focuses on social debates, but also includes sports and cultural activities.
Before heading to the stage, someone tought Minna Keinänen-Toivola was a tango queen singer.
The debate was moderated by Marja Tomberg (right), the President of the "Puhtaan meren puolesta" Association. From left to right: Harri Helminen, Iris Mäntylä, Minna Keinänen-Toivola and Jouni Lehtimäki.
The smile after a good debate.
