“Environmental well-being and human well-being depend on each other. If the environment is in poor condition, our well-being also deteriorates. Conversely, we cannot take care of the environment if we ourselves are not doing well,” says leading researcher Jaana Halonen.
In our daily lives, we can take many actions that promote both environmental well-being and our own health.
“When choices are made easy and affordable for people, they are more likely to become part of everyday routines,” Halonen notes.
Walking, cycling and using public transport reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution from traffic, while also increasing daily physical activity and reducing, for example, the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
A plant-based diet also supports health and reduces climate emissions. It is advisable to include more vegetables, berries and fruit, whole grains, legumes and sustainably caught or farmed fish. Red meat, processed meat products, salt and saturated fat should be reduced. These choices help prevent, for example, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancers.
“When choices are made easy and affordable for people, they are more likely to become part of everyday routine."
Due to the cold climate, emissions from housing in Finland are high. Energy-saving measures, such as lowering indoor temperatures to about 20–21 degrees in winter, are among the most important ways for households to reduce the climate and environmental impacts of housing.
“In addition to the choices people make in their everyday lives, structural and legislative changes in society are also needed to promote the health of both the environment and the population,” Halonen notes.
“In decision-making, it is important to ensure that people have equal opportunities to adopt environmentally and health-friendly ways of, for example, moving and eating. In this way, we can prevent increasing inequality in health and well-being and avoid rising societal costs.”
Leading researcher Jaana Halonen.
Climate and environmental measures taken in Finland make a difference
The major environmental changes underway globally – climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution – are not yet as visible or far-reaching in Finland as in many other parts of the world. However, this does not make mitigation any less important; the actions taken are crucial for determining, for example, how severe the increasing heatwaves will become.
“The average carbon footprint in Finland is approximately 7.7–9.6 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per person per year, depending on the calculation method. This is more than double that of China and more than five times that of India. Most consumer-related emissions in Finland come from transport (37%), food (23%) and housing (18%). Many measures to reduce these emissions would also be beneficial for health,” Halonen explains.
“We also consume many products manufactured elsewhere, which in effect means that part of our emissions is outsourced. Consumption should, wherever possible, be directed towards sustainable and locally produced goods, and particularly towards low-emission services instead of goods.”
A changing climate affects health in various ways
In Finland, air pollution and heatwaves increase premature mortality. Prolonged periods of heat place particular strain on older people and those with chronic illnesses, but children are also sensitive to the adverse effects of heat.
Extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and flooding, can also compromise water safety and increase the risk of infectious diseases.
Climate change affects mental health: heat, dark winters and climate anxiety influence coping and daily functioning. Climate change also affects health-related behaviours, such as opportunities for physical activity, sleep, and the price and availability of healthy food.
A changing climate also creates new requirements, for example regarding the weather resistance of buildings and the prevention of indoor air problems.
Social and health care services must also prepare for climate change
Climate change may also affect the functioning and operational reliability of health services. For example, extreme weather events can cause power outages and prolonged heatwaves, which social and health care services need to prepare for.
The climate change adaptation plan for the social and health care sector, prepared under THL’s leadership and extending to 2031, includes measures to strengthen preparedness in social and health services. In addition, the National Heat Action Plan to be published in summer 2026 will present measures to improve preparedness for heatwaves.
It is also important to recognise that changes affect different groups in society in different ways and that people have varying capacities to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
“Climate change affects all of us, but its impacts are not evenly distributed, and not everyone has the same ability to adapt to a changing climate. For example, not everyone can install cooling equipment in their home. It is therefore important to ensure that adaptation measures are especially supported for those with the fewest resources,” Halonen says.
Planetary health
The interdependence between human and environmental health and well-being is referred to as planetary health. Planetary health helps build a comprehensively sustainable society. It addresses many of the challenges that threaten the health and well-being of current and especially future generations.