© Juhani Väihkönen/WWF Finland
How you can help
You can have an impact on the state of the Baltic Sea by making more conscious daily choices.
Food
- Eat fish that are not endangered. To find out which these are, download WWF's Seafood Guide.
- Where possible, eat food produced locally. Shorter transportation distances mean fewer airborne nitrogen emissions which contribute to eutrophication.
- Reduce your consumption of meat. Meat production produces large amounts of manure, a primary source of nutrients that cause eutrophication. Eating large amounts of animal products can also raise nitrogen levels in human urine, which puts a strain on the Baltic Sea even after purification.
- Stop or reduce your use of disposable cutlery, plates and cups.
Washing
- Use environmentally friendly (eco-label and phosphate-free) cleaning and personal care products.
- Don’t release dishwater directly to the water system. Instead, allow the soil to absorb it. Make sure your waste water treatment system is of the best available technology.
- Replace modern lavatories in summer homes with composting ones to save water and energy and more effectively reduce nutrients.
Waste
- Minimize the amount of waste you create.
- Compost all organic material.
- Dispose of all relevant garbage at recycling centres.
- Empty your boat’s septic tank and other waste water into the treatment systems in harbours, rather than at sea.
Recreation
- Choose environmentally friendly vehicles and fuels on land and at sea.
- Keep your cruising on motor boats and jet skis to a minimum reduce pollution, noise and emissions of nitrous oxides.
- Replace your boat's old two-stroke engine with a four-stroke.
- Use environmentally friendly anti-fouling paint and methods to keep the boat hull clean.
- Stop using artificial fertilizers and pesticides in your garden as they can end up in water systems.
- Keep bonfires away from the water to reduce the risk of ash getting into the water and exacerbating eutrophication.
Managing the shore
- Maintain the natural coast line at your summer cottage.
- Avoid dredging as it may release nutrients and toxics stored in the sediment and foster eutrophication.
- Respect bird sanctuaries and do not disturb nesting birds.
Get involved
- Ask your local politicians about the Baltic Sea environment.
- Write letters to the editor of the newspapers or magazines that you read – whether national or local.
- Keep the pressure on government and business decision makers, especially if you live in a coastal municipality.
- Join WWF as a member to support our work to improve the state of the Baltic Sea.

A child plays with seaweed on the Baltic Sea coast

© WWF-Russia

© Alle Tiders Læsö

© Alle Tiders Læsö