The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
Menu
The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
28.03.2026
Today on Saturday 28 March, we celebrate Earth Hour, the world’s most widespread environmental event. Once a year, people turn off their lights in support of the nature of our planet. Sustainability and environmental responsibility are key principles for ISYY, and we want to play our part in spreading the message of Earth Hour!
"While the main responsibility for environmental protection lies not with individuals but with policymakers and economic actors, our everyday choices and even small changes do matter – especially when they are echoed by hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people worldwide."
– Quote from WWF Earth Hour 2026 guide, originally in Finnish
The rugged forests of Karelia and the gentle waters of Lake Kallavesi – these landscapes spark warmth and a sense of home in our minds. Finnish nature is a valuable part of our identity, but a healthy environment is not something we can take for granted. Every individual has the chance to show concern and act for nature every single day, but especially today.
But what exactly can we do? Even in a short moment, it is possible to take meaningful action for nature and the climate. ISYY’s board and staff members wanted to dedicate one hour of their time to nature by doing something positive for the environment.
After a busy day with studies or work it is easiest for me to switch recreational mode by going outside. Today I left me bike home and put the running shoes on as we headed to trails of a nearby park as a family. Due to quickly advancing spring our four year old twins had to change their ice skates to bicycles.
Motivation to learn riding without training wheels was boosted by dad's promise of a "new" bicycle, which, like the current ones, will be purchased used. In the rain-freshened air, the pace is already fast enough that even an adult has to jog to keep up with the kids. First break was in the playground and a second one when a hare ran over the path. The evening had already gotten dark before we got back home, but unfortunately there was no escape from the street lights. It is lucky that in Finland, its possible to find excellent unpaved outdoor areas even in the city.
This year I spent my hour reflecting on how my field of study and future profession, medicine, could improve its practices to serve our planet better. Health care is known to be resourceintensive and wasteproducing. Hospital waste has steadily increased in recent years, and based on my own observations in the clinic, there is no improvement in sight.
At the same time, our study programme wants to emphasise environmental responsibility, and a course on planetary health has already found its way into the curriculum. Still, “slightly uncomfortable” would be an understatement for the feeling I had when I noticed that THL’s recent climatethemed seminar focused on coping with health effects caused by an already overheating planet. Have we already accepted that critical global warming cannot be prevented and that we should mostly prepare to treat its inevitable consequences?
As a moderate optimist, I want to believe otherwise and focus on what I can influence as a future doctor. I will be responsible for promoting human health in daytoday encounters in hospitals and outpatient clinics. The challenge is how, even under time pressure, to clearly explain why lifestyle factors, such as diet, matter for preventing atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome and heart disease, both individually and at the population level.
Spring has arrived and the snow has melted in many places. As snowploughing areas clear up, laundry lines begin to appear in housing cooperatives’ yards. When the weather allows, drying laundry outdoors in the wind and sunlight is a simple way to save electricity. Every spring, I eagerly wait for the moment when our housing company puts the laundry lines back up. Then I finally get to use nature’s own energy for drying clothes.
Laundry dried outdoors gets a fresh scent and a touch of natural light. In general, I try to save water and electricity in my everyday life: I only wash full loads of laundry and turn off all taps when the washing machine is running. I also use electrical appliances and lights only when needed: the fridge is the only device constantly on.
I encourage everyone to try drying their laundry outside when the weather permits, or to reduce lighting in rooms you’re not currently using. Small actions can have a big impact on nature.
I spend most of my days in front of the computer working and studying, so my usual evening routine is to go for a long walk to clear my head. My work and study buddies are two japanese spitzes named Hemuli and Mushu, who make sure I head out even when the weather is bad or I’m tired. Although the spring slush (or the washing up that follows) isn’t always exciting, the steadily increasing sunlight lifts our spirits and awakens nature to spring.
It’s wonderful to notice how, day by day, the daylight lasts longer, the birdsong grows louder, and the brown and gray tones of winter begin to turn greener. Although I often listen to podcasts or music, in the spring it’s wonderful to leave my headphones at home every now and then and just listen to the sounds of nature – they’re much more pleasant than the clatter of snow plows or the roar of leaf blowers.
Hi! My name is Elviira, and this year I'm taking part in Earth Hour by sharing how I give an hour to nature. On weekdays I like to cycle to as many places as possible, and for example the trip from home to the university takes about 50 minutes each way. Now that the ice has melted, I especially love cycling around Kuopio. <3
One hour a day may feel like a small contribution, and that’s exactly what makes it so meaningful! In Finland alone, an estimated 1.5 million people took part in Earth Hour in 2025. All those hours given to our planet amount to 62,500 days, which counts to 170 years.
And when we give an hour to nature, we often receive much more in return: joy, peace, and shared moments together. The nature around us is a gift, and through our collective example we can build a more sustainable future – one hour at a time.