save the baltic sea
Surrounded by the Baltic Sea Åland Islands carries the legacy of the Baltic Sea. Our purpose as sailors, ocean lovers and as the event organisation is to make sure that we respect and treasure the element that enables us to set sails and enjoy our sport. The Baltic Sea needs our attention and we have teamed up with ocean savers from John Nurminen Foundation to make the ORC European Championships 2024 not only about sailing, but also use the occasion to raise awareness of the state of the Baltic Sea and spread information about how everyone participating can help us save our home sea!
The special characteristics of the Baltic Sea, including low salinity, shallowness and low total volume of water, make the sea vulnerable.
BALTIC SEA – THE WORLD’S YOUNGEST SEA
The Baltic Sea is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean and is also the youngest of the world’s seas. It was formed about 10,000–15,000 years ago after the last ice age.
The Baltic Sea is only connected to the North Sea via the Kattegat Strait between Sweden and Denmark. The lack of connections to other seas means that the flow of saltwater into the Baltic Sea is limited. The drainage basin of the Baltic Sea refers to areas from which all surface and groundwater flows towards the Baltic Sea. Dozens of large rivers drain into the Baltic Sea, carrying loads of nutrients and emissions from a large area, including places far from the coast.
The drainage basin of the Baltic Sea is large, four times the size of the sea. Nearly 90 million people in 14 different states live in the drainage basin. Nine countries border the Baltic Sea: Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Russia.
Compared to the ocean, the Baltic Sea is small, shallow and has a low total volume of water. The average depth of the Baltic Sea is only 55 metres, and the deepest point of the sea is in the Landsort Deep at 459 metres. The average depth of the oceans, on the other hand, is measured in kilometres.
Protect the baltic sea in everyday life.
Eat sustainably – favour fish and plant-based foods
Eat sustainably caught fish (bream, roach, herring, tench or perch) twice a week instead of meat. Reduce dairy products and favor vegetarian meals. Following a diet favouring locally produced seasonal vegetables is good for you and the Baltic Sea. And by eating locally produced food, you also support local entrepreneurs.
Also, remember that most unnecessary emissions come from food waste. So, eat what you buy and keep waste to a minimum.
don’t litter
Never throw waste in to the water! Litter thrown onto the ground will often end up in waterways before too long. A cigarette butt might seem insignificant, but it is one of the most common litters found in the Baltic Sea. Once in the sea, rubbish travels long distances and is ground into smaller particles that animals mistake for food.
Take your recycling to the recycling centre and put your rubbish in the bin.
Buy less, recycle and repair. Avoid disposable products.
All consumption impacts nature and fuels climate change, which in turn worsens the state of the Baltic Sea.
Only buy something new when you really need it. Buy sustainable, repairable, and recyclable items – and then use them until they wear out. Favour second hand and choose sustainable materials, such as natural fibres, and reduce unnecessary chemicals in cosmetics, cleaning, and laundry.
Favour reusable containers and use a refillable water bottle. The tap water in Finland is worlds finest!
travel responsibly
Take your holiday close by. Sail away, walk, ride a bike, or use public transportation as often as possible.
SMART SAILING
When cleaning your boat, washing dishes or cleaning yourself, it is important to consider the environmental impact of different washing agents and where the resulting greywater ends up. The Baltic Sea where water changes slowly is particularly vulnerable to the release of unfiltered greywater. It is recommended that the greywater produced by boaters be collected in a separate container or septic tank until it can be disposed of properly.
Choose your Boat primer carefully, as the most toxic antifouling paints harm all aquatic organisms. Non-toxic alternatives are also available, and instead of painting the bottom you can also clean off unwanted barnacles and other organisms using a brush or pressure washer.
