You can help save the Baltic Sea

Many of the Baltic Sea’s environmental problems can only be solved by political decisions and long-term action plans. But there is also a lot that you can do to reduce your share of marine pollution.

Cut down on driving

One-third of nitrogen precipitation in the Baltic Sea comes from traffic. Drive less or perhaps change to a smaller car. This will mean less nitrogen emissions, less acidification, reduced climate impact and better health for all of us. By also driving better and more slowly you will save fuel, environmental quality and lives.

Go for a green menu

Agriculture is the biggest single source of nutrient runoff in the Baltic Sea. There is less of this runoff from ecological growing. So choose ecological foodstuffs whenever possible. You will then be supporting a more living landscape, a bigger lark population and a thriving meadowland flora into the bargain.

Buy KRAV- or MSC-certified fish products

Don't empty the latrine in the sea

If you have a weekend cottage by the sea with a separate drainage system, there is probably a good deal of room for improvement. A three-stage treatment system, a septic tank or a soil bed is preferable to just a stone drainfield. A dry closet arrangement is to be recommended. Use eco-labelled, phosphate-free detergents and washing-up liquids. Check with our Bra Miljöval (Good Green Buy/Good Environmental Choice) register to make sure that the product you have chosen is phosphate-free.

When boating, don’t urinate in the water and don’t empty the latrine into the sea either. During the summer season, boat traffic emissions equal those of a medium-sized town.

Build a wetland

If you are a landowner, consider the possibilities of delaying the passage of water through your land. Everything from stones in the stream to artificial meanders with reed banks can help to trap nutrients. Refrain from cleaning out rivers and straightening ditches. Reinstate flood-prone lands. Do everything you can to preserve wetlands!

Is antifouling necessary?

Antifouling paints contain toxic substances – copper, zinc and Irgarol. Paints which create a shiny silicon or PTFE surface or repel barnacles with pepper extract are ecologically preferable. You can also consider whether you need any antifouling in the first place. Take a trip into fresh water and all the accretions on the hull will die instantly. Put off launching the boat if you won’t be using it before your holiday in any case. Small craft can be beached and scrubbed once or twice during the season.

Four stroke outboard motors

Up to 30 per cent of the fuel in a two-stroke engine is discharged unburned into water and the atmosphere. Between them, Sweden’s outboard motors discharge 15,000 tons of hydrocarbons into our waters every year. Four strokes is the thing! And before changing motors, let’s hope you’re using alcylate petrol and an environment-friendly two-stroke oil! Marine diesel is lean-burning but still discharges 8 times more nitrogen oxides than the corresponding petrol motors.