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Spinal deformaties started it all

His own research efforts have been greatly influential in the field of environmental toxin release from the cellulose industry. And it all began in the 1980’s with the discovery of vertebral deformities of fourhorn sculpins.

”We found these fish outside pulp factories, and I was tasked with mapping and describing the problem. As a young researcher, it was tough to enter such a minefield, where big money was at stake and the results were constantly questioned by industry representatives. But when I look back on that time, it was incredibly useful and educational, and the results have actually led the cellulose industry to use more environmentally friendly methods. It probably cost the industry billions, but Sweden was the first to bleach paper without chlorine, and thus gained great competitive advantages. Today, that kind of chlorine bleaching is eradicated.”

Putting research into practice

Since then, Åke has worked in the public sector, and understands the need for scientifically-proven knowledge in his work. He knows the importance of coupling research and administration, which is crucial for scientific results to be implemented in society. But getting results translated into practical action is no easy task.

“When confronted with revolutionary knowledge, the question naturally arises: How important are these results for the whole? As a rule, there are many factors in play, and then politics enters as well. We are always confronted with the problem that it takes time for new knowledge to have an impact, both as a result of a lack of knowledge transfer and a certain degree of skepticism towards the new. ”

When confronted with revolutionary knowledge, the question naturally arises: How important are these results for the whole?

Important river carbon

Some of the results produced within EcoChange have a direct bearing on the planning and monitoring of the marine environment. Åke highlights the results about the importance of river carbon for the nutrient status of our coastal areas as important to get out to the administration.

” The results obtained thus far are extremely interesting from management and action perspectives, and can affect decisions about the extent to which you should try to remove phosphorus in different seas in the future. Maybe we should work on removing carbon instead of phosphorus, at least in the Bothnian Sea? But more evidence is needed in general. Are the results valid for shallow bays in the Bothnian Sea or the entire Baltic Sea? And what is the actual source of this carbon? How much is caused by human activity? "

The pessimistic optimist

In his career, Åke has “experimented” on all scales, from small aquariums to the sea. Over the years he has seen huge improvements in decreasing the spread of environmental toxins and the state of the marine environment. He has an optimistic basic belief that everything can be solved, but he has become more pessimistic with time.

”Blue growth, as it is discussed today, I am sceptical of. What conditions do we need to achieve growth based on finite, hard-pressed resources? Very little concrete action has arisen from these wide-scale discussions.”

The results obtained thus far are extremely interesting from management and action perspectives

Regarding the environmental status, Åke asks whether the Baltic Sea has already been lost, and if the Bothnian Sea isn’t already on its way there. It takes power to make improvements.

”We must take responsibility for our old sins. The glass is already full, so even though we are now filling less than before, it is already spilling over. Not until we empty the glass can we bring about change.”  

Beneficial meetings

Åke is a frequent participant in EcoChange meetings and conferences. He sees them as the most effective way of communicating research results to the administration. At the meetings, researchers are given the opportunity to present their work, and environmental managers are given the opportunity to discuss how these results can be applied. But the meetings need to be followed up in order to influence the management of our seas.

“Maybe the researchers would dare stick their necks out little more, and come up with more concrete suggestions for changes? And maybe we administrators could push for more when it comes to discussing the application of the results? There are many good examples of where this has worked well, and where a proper dialogue has started. This is an important part of EcoChange's operations, where there is also a great potential for development. I hope for many exciting EcoChanges meetings between research and management in the future. ”