Pekka Kauppi, Professor of Environmental Science and Policy

Courses:

Introduction

At the University of Helsinki the Chair of Environmental Science and Policy (or "Environmental Protection") has been defined as follows "the causes of environmental problems, their manifestation, and means for their solution" . The duties of the chair have further been specified as "the analysis of environmental problems and means for their solution on local as well as global level from the point of view of ecologically sustainable development. Special emphasis is placed on the mechanisms of pollution and the depletion of natural resources, on the preservation of biodiversity,  application of environmental assessment and integrated research into the state of the environment. The Professor of Environmental Protection is also responsible for co-ordinating environmental studies at the University of Helsinki".

This has been my job since 1997. I am interested in solutions to environmental problems. From the problem-solving perspective it is imperative, first, to rank and prioritize the problems and, then, to focus on the most important and most urgent issues.  Solutions can be based on scientific research and on teaching and dissemination of the  research results. Environmental protection can be successful in the long term. The fact must be accepted that there are no quick solutions. Protecting the environment is a long term job, it takes endurance.

Order of priority

Setting priorities in terms of importance and urgency is the central issue of environmental science and policy. Listening and harmonizing different perceptions is a precondition of success. In Finland, the priority is in the protection of the environment of the home country. Sometimes it can be done domestically, sometimes there is a need for international collaboration.

There is - and will never be - no magic tool for setting the priorities. Values and perceptions vary and change over time. Technological and economic assets change, solutions to environmental problems must respond. Updating environmental policies and instruments is a never-ending task.

Teaching in Finnish: (For details in Finnish, see opetus .)