Who am I?
I am a 30-year-old Green city councilor from Helsinki and chair of the Green council group. In my daily work, I am a leading environmental expert at the company One Planet where my job is to help organizations develop their operations to become more ecologically sustainable and to assess their impact on nature.
I come from a bilingual home in Maunula and now I live with my partner in Käpylä. My environmental awareness was awakened as a child when I mourned the loss of a beloved local forest and learned about human impacts on the environment and climate change. My eco-anxiety eventually led me to study environmental science at the Viikki campus of the University of Helsinki. I wanted to understand how nature functions, why and how humans destroy the environment around them, and what we can practically do to stop it.
The desire to address the ongoing ecological crisis eventually led me into student politics and from there to Helsinki City Council, then as chair of the Green League’s national youth organization, and later to work in the Parliament for Environmental minister Maria Ohisalo. From there, I moved on to work at the environmental company One Planet, founded by former Minister of the Environment Emma Kari and Sitra’s former Head of Sustainability Solutions, Mari Pantsar. To me, it is important to conduct politics with a focus on solutions, in collaboration with representatives from other parties and civil society, based on science and facts, and with respect for others.
Nearly eight years in municipal politics and in Green League leadership positions have taught me that there are rarely simple solutions to complex problems and that societal change sometimes happens painfully slowly, step by step. Change for the better does happen, but not fast enough.
In addition to my Green politics and studies, I co-authored a book about imposter syndrome with Silja Uusikangas and Sanni Lehtinen: “Huijareiden vallankumous – huijarisyndrooman yhteiskunnallisilla juurilla” (The Revolution of Impostors – The Societal Roots of Imposter Syndrome), published in autumn 2021. Besides environmental issues, I am passionate about promoting a less performance-driven and more compassionate world, where a person’s background does not determine their opportunities in life. People must have the space to try new things and fail. Society should not wear people out—rather, it should define its success by how well it takes care of those with the least resources and privileges.
In my free time, I enjoy being in nature—whether hiking, kayaking, sailing, or endurance sports. I own a small sailboat in Skatudden, which I use to explore the Helsinki archipelago. My latest passion is running. I am also an enthusiastic birdwatcher. As a former competitive skier and swimmer, I have developed endurance and determination that shape my personality. Literature and music are close to my heart—especially classical and improvisational piano music, which I return to regularly.
What do I stand for?
The climate crisis and loss of biodiversity are the biggest challenges of our generation. Diverse nature is a prerequisite to life on Earth. Yet, we stand before a sixth mass extinction and climate change that threatens the balance of the Earth. We must not base our well-being on an ecological debt at the expense of younger generations.
I am advocating for a just transition, meaning that as we move to an ecologically sustainable society, we must also reduce poverty and make sure no one is left behind. Public health and social services must be strengthened and the working conditions in these branches improved. Education must remain free for everyone and of good quality. The arts and scientific research must also be defended.
A green and lush Helsinki that combats climate change and fights inequality and racism
I want to protect the nature of Helsinki, ensure animal rights, and stop the loss of biodiversity. I want to promote a Helsinki where every home is within walking distance of the forest or the sea, and where we safeguard our valuable natural areas. We must preserve and strengthen biodiversity even in built environments and establish new protected areas on both land and sea. In order to protect animals, nature and the climate Helsinki should transition to plant-based food in public services.
I’m promoting ambitious climate policies. Helsinki must take responsibility in the fight against climate change and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and zero emissions by 2040 at the latest. A climate-sustainable everyday life must be ensured for everyone. Since traffic has become Helsinki’s largest source of emissions, we must make walking and cycling easy and safe for all and ensure that public transport is affordable for everyone. Public transport fares must be reduced.
I’m promoting a humane Helsinki, free from racism and discrimination. Helsinki must stand as a counterforce to the right-wing government’s policies that deepen inequality and fuel racism. The city must invest in culture, schools, and high-quality social and healthcare services. Housing costs must be kept at a reasonable level. Helsinki should be a city that welcomes and includes everyone.l.
What have I achieved?
In Helsinki city politics, I have defended nature, equality, and ambitious climate policies while emphasizing the importance of preserving a diverse urban environment and sufficient green spaces. I have proposed city council motions on issues such as Helsinki’s green areas, protecting Helsinki’s birdlife, and expanding the Sipoonkorpi National Park.
I have participated in negotiations for additional funding for schools and youth in Helsinki, as well as for a multi-year salary program for sectors suffering from low wages and labor shortages, such as early childhood education. I also introduced a city council motion for free menstrual products for young people and those in poverty, which led to a successful pilot project in Helsinki schools.
During my time as chair of the Green Youth, I was very active in addressing the climate crisis and promoting a sustainable food system. We advocated for policies such as introducing a meat tax and phasing out peat production. I have also argued for prioritizing human well-being and ecological sustainability over economic growth.