Written by: Tiina Ynnilä, UEF

On 31^st October-1^st November 2024, the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) organised the fourth ICS24 conference, a multi-disciplinary event focused on the challenges of sustainability transitions in society, environmental change, and the sustainable use of natural resources.

The ᴇNᴀBʟS and Biodiversity now teams of UEF, consisting of Elina Oksanen, Tiina Ynnilä, Oskari Ylikoski and Olivia Ollikainen, participated in the event and presented the project with roll-up and leaflets. The conference offered a good opportunity to network with researchers and other participants. As part of the event, Oskari and Olivia were able to interview a couple of researchers and filmed a video for UEF’s Nature-Based Solutions online course, which will be completed in late 2024.

In the conference, Professor Elina Oksanen gave a presentation in a session entitled “Societal and Social Perspectives on Sustainability”.  The presentation itself was called “ᴇNᴀBʟS – Enabling society to bend the curve for biodiversity”. Elina introduced the Living Lab plan being implemented in Eastern Finland in the cities of Kuopio and Joensuu.

Figure 1: Professor Elina Oksanen presenting ᴇNᴀBʟS.

The purpose of the Living Lab is to develop cooperation between cities and within cities at the local level. The theme is to increase biodiversity in urban areas, for example in the form of pocket parks. UEF also wishes for the Living Lab to highlight Eastern Finland’s strong forest expertise and peatland research. Besides that, the Finnish Living Lab will include basic course materials on biodiversity and NBS, campus events, networking nationally and internationally, and engaging students, teachers and researchers around the theme. The Center for Continuous Learning, which is part of the Finnish Living Lab, supports the Living Lab’s activities being open and easy to understand for all lifelong learners.

Figure 2:

UEF ᴇNᴀBʟS team from left: Elina Oksanen, Olivia Ollikainen, Oskari Ylikoski and Tiina Ynnilä.