Mattias Klum recently appeared in a broadcast interview on Ålandsradio, discussing environmental challenges and the urgent need for action to protect the Baltic Sea.

In the interview, Klum reflects on how much public awareness of environmental issues has grown over the past 20 years, while also warning that many problems persist. He highlights inspiring local efforts—such as pike spawning projects and restored coastal bays—as important examples of what’s already working.

However, Klum insists those grassroots initiatives alone are not enough. “We have all the science we need. Sweden, Finland, and the Nordic region should lead by example—and we must act faster,” he says.

He also challenges the tendency to point fingers at other nations. “Many say ‘why should we care when China doesn’t’—but in many respects, China is already ahead of Europe and the U.S. Some humility wouldn’t hurt,” Klum adds.

Despite the weight of the issues, Klum remains hopeful. “I’m a possibilist. I believe that when we want to, we can. We’ve seen global cooperation before—like with repairing the ozone layer.”

You can listen to the full interview on Ålandsradio for a deeper dive into Klum’s thoughts on what needs to happen—and how each of us can play a role.