From left: Chancellor of the University of Helsinki Ilkka Niiniluoto, President Tarja Halonen, Chargé d’Affaires Michael A. Butler and Ambassador Derek Shearer

We were especially honored to have President Tarja Halonen speak at the opening session of the seminar.  We were proud to have U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Michael Butler read to the symposium audience a special message of congratulations by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.  Former American Ambassador Derek Shearer (1994-1997) came to share his personal narrative of his years in Helsinki and of the contacts he made with Finns over a decade ago and since that time, which remain active and warm.

Many experts shared their research on various aspects of the bilateral relations with enthusiastic audiences.  Presenters discussed the history, the present day and the future of the Finnish-American relationship.  Virtually all speakers underlined the fact that the excellent official relations rest on the bedrock of warm, close people-to-people relations between Finns and Americans.

Paratiisin pojat

One presentation, however, was in a very special class of its own.  Two top Finnish musicians – “Paratiisin pojat “  J. Karjalainen and Veli-Matti Järvenpää  – played songs of Finnish immigrants who  migrated to the U.S. in the early 20th century.  The two artists were talented and charismatic and gracefully did an encore following a standing ovation.

Their performance underlined – once again – the importance of culture – something that makes all our lives more fun and more interesting.  Culture helps build bridges and it helps us understand “the others.”  A special thanks to Paratiisin pojat.

Another cultural treat were two performances provided by students from the Helsinki Pop and Jazz Conservatory – at the beginning and to conclude the two-day seminar.   At the final concert, they were joined by Saxophonist Greg Badalato, who is also Vice President of the Berklee College of Music.  In jazz vernacular – they were “hot.”

I am pleased to note that as we continue to celebrate the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries, my section at the U.S. Embassy (the office of press and cultural affairs) will be hosting in Finland representatives of the multifaceted cultural scene of the United States. This June, the great grandson of Sitting Bull will tour in Finland to tell about his native culture.  Mr. Ernie LaPointe is a Sun Dancer who lives in the traditional lifestyle of the Lakota people.  I hope you will have an opportunity to hear him speak.  Later in the year, we will welcome a hip hop group from the Berklee College of Music – to share their special cultural expression with Finnish audiences.

Earth Day was founded in 1970 by US Senator Gaylord Nelson. His call for cleaner air and water in the US was heeded from coast to coast. Earth Day had a special appeal among American youth who called on the US government and fellow Americans to support a healthier, more sustainable world. 

Earth Day flag (Photo Credit: Wikimedia)

So thirty-nine years later has anything in America really changed?  Absolutely.     

Earth Day spurred the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act.  In the US, leaded fuel and gas guzzling cars have been replaced by unleaded gas and stricter fuel efficiency standards.  Since the 1980s the EPA’s Superfund has cleaned up hazardous waste sites, protecting local rivers from chemical contamination. In 2007, sulfur dioxide emissions fell below its long term emission cap of 8.95 million tons — three years before the 2010 statutory deadline – thanks to a USG cap-and-trade program.   

Today over 140 countries around the world celebrate Earth Day. Great progress has been made, but there is plenty left to do. America is ready to do her part. Recent stimulus funds are funding projects to put plug-in vehicles on the road by 2015 and improve energy efficiency so that 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.  The US Congress is currently drafting legislation to implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.

On April 22, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced a new program to implement Department-wide environmentally responsible policies.  She also renewed her support for the Green League of Embassies – an effort started by our colleagues at US Embassy Stockholm to encourage US embassies around the world to apply “green practices”. Here at US Embassy Helsinki we have already implemented a comprehensive recycling program that covers everything from old cell phones to bio waste.  The Embassy has also saved energy by installing motion sensor light switches, and using  high-efficiency compact light bulbs at all  US Embassy residences.

Climate warming is progressing rapidly, and every positive change we make no matter how small makes a difference. So, Happy Earth Day Mother Earth – and here’s to another forty years of good environmental stewardship for moms, dads and groundhogs everywhere.