EMBASSY OF THE BALTIC SEA

representing nature for the wellbeing of all

Transformative changes are needed in all socioeconomic sectors interacting with or affecting the Baltic Sea environment.

Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, HELCOM

The Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted water bodies in the world. The threats are well known. Despite decades of research and engagement, the state of the ecosystem is not improving.

A new approach is needed. The voice of the sea must be heard.

MISSION: A LABORATORY OF CARE

SUPPORTING THE WELLBEING OF THE BALTIC SEA

The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope. – Wendell Berry

The Embassy of the Baltic Sea is a space for:

REPRESENTATION: practising representation of the more-than-human voices in the Baltic Sea watershed.

COLLABORATION: dialogue between actors at all levels from a mutual viewpoint of respect for the rights of the Baltic Sea, supporting diverse ways of knowing from law, science, art, traditional ecological knowledge and regenerative design.

ACTION: concrete examples of integrating human flourishing with the whole living community in the Baltic Sea bioregion.

THEORY OF CHANGE

SHIFT IN WORLD VIEW

We must say of the universe that it is a communion of subjects, not a collection of objects. – Thomas Berry

To live good lives within planetary boundaries, a cultural paradigm shift is necessary. Most leverage for such a transformation is found in the way we perceive the world; what we collectively believe is important, valuable and true. The notion of humans as separate from the rest of the living world, with the right to dominate and control nature, is a deeply held assumption in our culture, shaping institutions, decisions and behaviour. Recognising the rights of the Baltic Sea is a challenge of this misunderstanding. It creates ripple effects through the system in a direction towards human participation in, and regeneration of, ecosystems.

The Embassy of the Baltic Sea is working towards interconnected wellbeing of human society and nature in the Baltic Sea watershed, through recognition of the rights of the sea to flourish, and representation of its more-than-human voices in decision-making.

With the Baltic Sea, we mean the whole watershed from the mountains to the sea. The expression more-than-human (Abram, 1996) refers to the living world which includes and transcends humanity.

GET IN TOUCH!

If you are working for a healthy Baltic Sea, we want to hear from you!