Auditorium
Due to rising crises and security issues, planetary health is currently less prominent on political agendas than before. Although progress is gradual, true societal change toward sustainability must happen through widespread cooperation rather than competition. Achieving safety within planetary boundaries—limits designed to protect Earth’s systems—demands that we can build better collaboration models. In my speech, I will cover:
Auditorium | Seminar session
Chairs: Prof. Ville Uusitalo, LUT University and Maija Lumme, doctoral researcher, LUT University
| Presentations | |
| Navigating exposure and health in an increasingly complex consumption landscape | Hannu Tikkanen, Laurea University of Applied Sciences |
| Biodiversity-respectful diet recommendation for Finland | Natasha Järviö, LUT University |
| From illbeing to wellbeing: Exploring sufficiency in food consumption | Kaisa Kurki, LUT University |
| From rural peripheries to food system hubs: Opportunities for food system development in South Savo | Jana Firse, University of Helsinki, Ruralia Institute |
| Transforming cigarette waste into resources: A case study of Code Effort’s circular economy model in India | Sajal Kabiraj, LAB University of Applied Sciences |
Ars&Cultura | Seminar session
Chair: MD Mikaela Grotenfelt-Enegren, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
| Presentations | |
| Part of nature or not? Dialectical framework for human-nature connectedness and general practitioners' perceptions on human-nature-health relationships | Leena Helenius, University of Helsinki |
| Approaches to operationalizing nature positivity in agriculture and forestry | Anna Repo, Natural Resources Institute Finland |
| Pluriverses and indigenous worldviews in planetary health research; arts-based and collaborative approaches from Turtle Island and Abya Yala | Matilde Cervantes Navarrete, University of Victoria, and Rebecca Hass, Pacific Opera Victoria |
| Transprofessional development towards arts-based learning in landscape design - An autoethnographic exploration | Anne Pässilä, LUT university |
Akvaario | Seminar session
Chair: Professor of Practice Minna Veistilä, Well-being County of Päijät-Häme and Päivi Sieppi, City of Lahti
| Presentations | |
| Enabling communities of practice for green transition in health and care organisations by using participatory staff engagement processes | Helinä Melkas, LUT University |
| Use of health forests in social and health services – a survey among employees in the wellbeing services counties of Kainuu and Päijät-Häme | Maija Lipponen, Natural Resources Institute Finland |
| More Life – Towards Nature-Positive Vocational Education - development project | Elina Hinkkanen, SYKLI Environmental College |
| Voluntary nature restoration work as environmental adult education in a city’s climate action | Elias Pielikko, University of Jyväskylä |
| Walking together for health, resilience and nature: Evidence from a regional workplace challenge | Harri Kuusela, Regional Council of Päijät-Häme |
Basement Studio | Roundtable discussion
One of the aims of philosophy since Antiquity has been to offer conceptual tools and perspectives for living a good life. What are the constituents of meaningful and happy human existence? Clearly, there is no consensus on what ultimately constitutes happiness and a good life, but what matters is that philosophers have articulated the question and sustained discussion around it.
The widely used notion of polycrisis, for instance, offers a way to grasp living conditions in a world in which diverse, systemic, and escalating crises are interconnected and contribute to a weakening of resilience. Philosophically, however, a crisis does not refer only to negative situations; it also enables reflection on meaningfulness in moments when things are on the verge of change. From this perspective, striving for strengthened sustainability across nearly all areas of human practice and life can itself be understood as a crisis—one that touches human existence as a whole: intellectual, emotional, social, and beyond. Can philosophical approaches support a meaningful and, at least to some extent, good human life under conditions of uncertainty? And if so, in what ways?
The roundtable session organized by the International Institute of Applied Aesthetics brings together philosophers with different emphases and areas of expertise to discuss the possibilities of living a meaningful life in an uncertain world. The speakers include Professor of Aesthetics Arto Haapala (University of Helsinki), postdoctoral researcher Tuija Kasa (University of Helsinki), doctoral researcher in philosophy Laura Puumala (University of Turku), and University Lecturer in Practical Philosophy Simo Kyllönen (University of Helsinki). The discussion will be moderated by doctoral researcher Noora-Helena Korpelainen (University of Helsinki).
Photo by Giulia Grani on Unsplash
Community Lobby | World café discussion
We are currently navigating an era characterized by multiple, overlapping crises such as climate emergency, ongoing wars, energy crises, political crisis, and biodiversity loss, that are interconnected challenges facing Water-Food Energy Nexus (WEF Nexus). The session begins with a brief overview of key global trends related to WFE Nexus addressing the complexities of conflicting interests among different actors and social groups as well as defining transdisciplinary research. We will use a world café dialogue method in small, rotating table groups. Finally, the session will conclude with a summary of key takeaways and collaborative opportunities of transdisciplinary collaboration in WFE Nexus research.
Organisers:
The People and Planet city reception will be held in the inner courtyard of Lahti City Hall and will include an opportunity for networking & informal discussions with conference participants as well as decision-makers and other key stakeholders.
Programme:
18.00 Opening of the event and welcome address Johanna Särkijärvi, Environmental and Growth Services Director, City of Lahti
18.15 Panel discussion “Nature-Positive Lahti – Balancing Biodiversity and Vitality”
19.00–21.00 Mingling and networking
Bites and refreshments will be served.
Location: City Hall inner courtyard, Harjukatu 31. Entrance from the Harjukatu side through the glass doors.
What might a future city look like where nature and vitality strengthen each other? Nature positivity means that biodiversity increases rather than decreases. The discussion will explore how these goals can be combined, and what kinds of challenges and opportunities this involves.
Facilitator: Saara Vauramo, Head of Department, Ramboll Oy, Professor of practice in JYU
Panelists
The city reception is organized by the Nature Positive Life project.
Auditorium
In her keynote, Natalie will explore how innovative urban and transport interventions, including greening initiatives, can transform city life and promote better health. She will highlight strategies that reduce urban pollution, increase public space and accessibility, expand green areas, and encourage active lifestyles, showing how these measures contribute to healthier, more sustainable, and climate-resilient cities for all residents.
Auditorium | Seminar session
Chair: PhD Jenni Simkin, Natural Resources Institute Finland
| Presentations | |
| The potential of natural environments in mental health promotion and prevention | Liisa Tyrväinen, Natural Resources Institute Finland |
| Residential area characteristics are associated with asthma burden in children | Tuomas Jartti, University of Turku |
| Advancing urban microbiomes for planetary health | Marja Roslund, Natural Resources Institute Finland |
| Exploring the effects of virtual nature and bright light on the wellbeing of knowledge workers during winter | Ann Ojala, Natural Resources Institute Finland |
Auditorium | Panel discussion
The positive health benefits of nature remain underutilized in health and social services. This session introduces three Finnish projects that develop and implement nature-based practices for clients across different age groups: Raised by the Forest (children), At the Roots of Well-being (working-age adults), and Nature Year (older adults). We will share insights into implementation strategies, challenges, and successful practices, and evaluate the potential for long-term integration of nature into health and social services. A facilitator will guide discussion throughout the session, with anonymous participation ensured through the use of Mentimeter.
Organisers:
Ars&Cultura | Workshop
Objectives and Desired Outcomes:
Workshop organisers:
Doctoral researcher Anna Jarske-Fransas
University of Helsinki
Community Lobby | Fishbowl discussion
This session will use an interactive fishbowl discussion format, offering scholars, practitioners, and policymakers a chance to exchange ideas on biodiversity-centered urban planning and multispecies approaches to city resilience and wellbeing. Participants can expect an interactive session where they can both listen and contribute as the discussion circle evolves. Key topics will include integrating biodiversity into urban policy, planning for both human and non-human populations, and co-creating equitable, healthier cities. The session aims to generate actionable insights, spark new collaborations, and foster a shared vision for sustainable urban futures.
Organisers:
Akvaario | Workshop
In this workshop, we introduce the Holobiont model—a novel framework for occupational and environmental medicine. This model conceptualises humans as multispecies entities whose resilience relies on healthy ecological and social environments, with the health of our own microbiome as a central factor. We will explore how economic and organisational systems influence human health in the workplace by disrupting the microbiome, which can lead to stress, chronic diseases, and health inequity. The workshop will identify workplace practices that foster microbiome diversity, resilience, and social equity. Participants will engage in lively discussions and interactions, and the workshop will conclude with clear take-home messages.
Organisers:
Natura | Panel discussion
Planetary Health provides a holistic and solutions-oriented approach towards current sustainability challenges and the health and wellbeing impacts of environmental change. Integrating Planetary Health perspectives within and beyond healthcare-related curricula can make tomorrow’s professionals better equipped to address these impacts.
In this panel, we will explore the role of Planetary Health education in sustainable transformation and how environmental and health literacy and agency can provide a basis for collaboration between healthcare-related and other disciplines.
Panelists:
Organized by Samuel Sandboge, University of Helsinki
During this poster session, you will have the opportunity to meet the poster authors and learn more about their work. The posters will be on display throughout the entire conference.
Auditorium | Seminar session
Chair: PhD Topi Tanskanen, Helsinki One Health / University of Helsinki
| Presentations | |
| Microbial extract as a nature exposure material reduces the need for atopic dermatitis medication ‒ randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial | Johanna Kalmari, Tampere University |
| Nature activities’ potential to change human microbiota and benefit human well-being | Mira Grönroos, University of Helsinki / Finnish Environment Institute |
| Natural sound may be intrinsically restorative regardless of its source labeling | Yasushi Suko, Tampere University |
| Tree abundance near home affects human microbiota | Mika Saarenpää, University of Helsinki |
Ars&Cultura | Seminar session
Chair: Riikka Puhakka, Docent, PhD, Chief Specialist, LAB University of Applied Sciences
| Presentations | |
| Nature visits among Finnish children: Longitudinal changes and connection to nature | Henna Launistola, Folkhälsan Research Center |
| Integrating human and ecological values for urban green infrastructure connectivity | Nora Fagerholm, University of Turku |
| Stakeholder perceptions of urban pond biodiversity: Preliminary insights | Wenfei Liao, University of Helsinki |
| Health and well-being effects of street greenery on active mobility: Results from a Virtual Reality randomized controlled trial | Silviya Korpilo, University of Helsinki / Finnish Environment Institute |
Akvaario | Seminar session
Chair: Kati Vierikko, senior researcher, Finnish Environment Institute
| Presentations | |
| Nature stewardship under demographic transitions: Two stories from Japan | Marcin Pawel Jarzebski, the University of Tokyo |
| Relational approaches to planetary health: How convening spaces foster connection, empowerment, and regional vitality | Angel Kennedy, Simon Fraser University / Earth Hug Collective |
| What is enough? - Approaching the sufficiency transformation with group dialogues | Rasmus Sihvonen, University of Eastern Finland |
| Socio-ecological systems as models of human–nature coexistence: Relational pathways to sustainability in Dartmoor and Northern Sweden | Gaia Bedini, University of Gloucestershire and Fabio König, Umeå University, Political Science Department |
Community Lobby | Workshop
This workshop is part of a science-based pilot project, Municipality as Part of Nature – Dismantling Anthropocentric Thinking in Municipal Work (2026 funded by the Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation) and its continuation project, More-than-human Municipalities (2026–2027, funded by the Kone Foundation). The projects aim to dismantle human-centeredness in municipalities in order to foster more-than-human well-being and ecological sustainability.
We welcome participants from diverse backgrounds to engage in facilitated group discussions and exercises that explore how municipalities can be understood from more-than-human perspectives. The session also introduces a newly developed checklist for incorporating more-than-human thinking into everyday work, which participants are warmly invited to take home to support ongoing reflection in their own contexts!
Organized by Kudelma – co-op for comprehensive and sustainable systemic change
In these participatory workshops you can experience the Finnish way of living as well as the well-being benefits of nature yourself! You can choose from two options:
The workshops are free of charge, but note that the number of participants is limited. Participants will complete a survey on nature-based services after the activities. The registration for these activities will begin later.
The workshops are organized by the EU co-founded Local nature as business booster project.
Conference dinner at Restaurant Voitto on Wednesday, March 25.
Restaurant Voitto has a beautiful view to ski jumping hills. Illuminated at night, the ski jumps are an impressive sight and create a unique atmosphere for the dinner. Tentative price: 56 €/person + VAT 25.5% (in total, 70 €).
Bus schedule, departure from the hotels:
18.45 Greenstar Hotel (Vesijärvenkatu 1)
18.50 Scandic Lahti City (vapaudenkatu 24, next to main lobby)
19.00 Solo Sokos Hotel Lahden Seurahuone (Aleksanterinkatu 14)
-->Ravintola Voitto (Salpausselänkatu 8)
departure from dinner:
21.40 Ravintola Voitto (Salpausselänkatu 8)
Auditorium
This presentation first describes the emergence of planetary health as the fourth dimension of health which is closely tied to the health and wellbeing of the planet. It will then summarize the main drivers of global change. Then the scope of planetary health will be discussed by elaborating the main megatrends of planetary health challenges, including anthropogenic climate change, biodiversity loss, urbanization, migration and refugees, pandemics and military conflicts. Then the future perspectives of planetary health will be discussed. Finally, some suggestions for future actions are proposed.
Auditorium
To achieve biodiversity restoration, wellbeing and justice outcomes, it is essential to develop new pathways for conceptualising, assessing and then embedding the multiple values of nature into environmental policy and decision-making. In this presentation, I will present an overview of the IPBES typology of the multiple values of nature, and recent attempts to assess and embed these values into environmental policy and decision-making in Finland and globally. I will then identify some of the challenges associated with scaling these values in different policy contexts, and opportunities for future research and policy advances to overcome them.
Auditorium | seminar session
Chair: Sirkku Hildén, Former Chair of Lahti City Board
| Presentations | |
| The environment or the economy?: A policy analysis of how well Australian Public Policy anticipated and prepared for the 2025 South Australian Algal Bloom Crisis | Fran Baum, Stretton Health Equity, University Of Adelaide |
| Health impact assessment and extractive economy – Document analysis from a European perspective | Elsi Haverinen-Mottaghi, Tampere University / Laurea University of Applied Sciences |
| Multispecies city futures | Satu Aavanranta, University of Helsinki |
| Evaluating the suitability of biodiversity impact calculation methods for SMEs | Laura Vartiainen, LUT University |
Auditorium
Dr. Susan Prescott presents planetary health as the independent totality of our shared environment – ecological, social, cultural, and spiritual – showing how today’s challenges are inseparable and interconnected.
She weaves science, spirituality, systems thinking, creativity, and community practice to advance, integrated, cross sector, whole-of-society approaches that centers well-being and relational healing in everything we do. She explores why genuine solutions must address root causes by transforming the attitudes and world views that created our interconnected crises. Her work calls for spiritual and cultural renewal, grounded in inner development and emotional intelligence, to realign our values, relationships, and actions with the flourishing of all life.
Auditorium
Throughout this conference, we have explored a wide range of perspectives and solutions related to planetary health and the biodiversity–health–vitality nexus. With this wrap‑up discussion, we want to leave you with concrete steps: what you can do next to help achieve our shared goal of creating biodiverse and healthy cities.
The discussion is facilitated by Aino Kulonen (City of Lahti). Panelists include Juho Jäppinen (Meijän polku), Mikaela Grotenfelt‑Enegren (THL), and Natalie Mueller (ISGlobal). The audience is welcome to take an active part in the conversation and make an impact.
The discussion is supported by the One Health Gov, an Interreg Europe project co-funded by the European Union.