For the Chair of the Board Marko Nikula islands are the most important part of the Baltic Sea

Marko Nikula, Chairman of the Board of the RELEX Foundation and one of its founders, what kind of Baltic Sea person are you?

I became friends with the Baltic Sea in adulthood when I moved to Helsinki. The Baltic Sea is present in a completely different way for me in Helsinki than in my hometown of Oulu in the north of Finland, where the sea didn't really mean much. In Helsinki, I started kayaking, and that has been the key factor in developing my relationship with the Baltic Sea. Now, however, kayaking has turned into sailing.

What has been your best experience at sea?

For me, the archipelago represents the best of the Baltic Sea. Many surely enjoy sailing itself, but I sail to reach beautiful places, islands, and to observe wildlife, such as birds and seals. We often sail in the Archipelago Sea, but I like the Åland Islands even more.

Memorable moments often highlight the contrast of life at sea: at the end of a windy or stormy day, sailing into a sheltered harbor where the sun shines, it's calm, and the atmosphere is eerily still — no one knows how rough the conditions have been out at sea.

Can you recommend a place in the Baltic Sea that you think is especially worth visiting?

Close to Mariehamn in Åland Islands is Rödhamn Island, which is an excellent combination of a natural harbor and a service harbor. The island is practically just rocks, and it's nice to hike around these rocks.

Why did the RELEX Foundation choose to donate for the Baltic Sea?

From my perspective, the Baltic Sea was an obvious choice. I remember places from the early 2000s where the seawater was so clear that you could see three to five meters deep. That is not the case anymore. Through sailing, I encountered the issue of blue-green algae, which was a concrete example that not everything is well in the sea.

When we established the RELEX Foundation, the aim was to support actors who are making concrete changes and who are undertaking actions that have broader systems impact on combating climate change and preserving biodiversity. The work of the John Nurminen Foundation combines both of these approaches, which is why it was one of the first organisations we funded.

The state of the Baltic Sea is a significant environmental shame for Finland and all the Baltic Sea countries. On the other hand, the Baltic Sea is internationally interesting. Despite the scarcity of good news, both foundations aim for clear waters and a diverse sea.

The RELEX Foundation for a Better Future promotes diverse nature, a stable climate, and equitable societies. The foundation supports visionary organizations and initiatives that work for a better tomorrow for generations to come. Although the foundation has the same founders and a similar name as RELEX Solutions, it operates entirely independently. The RELEX Foundation supports the work of the John Nurminen Foundation to save the Baltic Sea.

Original article in Finnish by Johanna Suni, the John Nurminen Foundation
Photo of Rödhamn by Visit Åland