The article highlights the significance of the Onkalo project as a potential global benchmark for nuclear waste disposal and its implications for the future of nuclear energy.
Finland is the first country in the world to have such a project, that could securely store the radioactive material for up to 100,000 years. This project is situated on the island of Olkiluoto in southwest Finland, near three nuclear reactors. The repository, managed by Posiva, a Finnish company, will involve placing spent nuclear fuel in watertight copper canisters and burying them more than 400 meters below the Earth’s surface.
The Onkalo project Is seen as a major milestone for nuclear energy, providing a long-term solution to the problem of nuclear waste disposal, which has been a significant challenge for the sustainability of nuclear power. “The fact that Finland [has] built a repository now and in the next year or two we’re going to be operating it and start the disposal process … I don’t want to call it a miracle, but it wouldn’t be a bad way of framing it in the global context,” Gareth Law, Professor of radiochemistry at the University of Helsinki, said.
The project also spurs debate about nuclear energy’s role in addressing climate change, with some seeing it as a crucial component of reducing carbon emissions, while others remain skeptical about the safety and cost-effectiveness of nuclear power compared to alternative energy sources.
Original story was published by CNBC on 29.08.2024 and can be found here.
Why is Lapland on fire? Finland’s far north set for record-breakingly hot summer
The alarming rise in temperatures in Finnish Lapland was covered in an article by Euronews on August 27. The article highlights the record-breaking heat and an increased frequency of wildfires in the region.
According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), July 2024 saw unusually high temperatures, particularly in northern Finland, with average monthly temperatures ranging from 15.5 to 18°C, which is 2 to 3.4 degrees higher than usual. This has made Lapland’s summer potentially the warmest on record, with the number of hot days (days exceeding 25°C) surpassing previous averages.
The article emphasizes the link between climate change and the heightened risk of wildfires in Lapland. The region has already experienced 17 wildfires this summer, significantly more than the usual average of 10, and experts expect this number to exceed 20 before the season ends. The increased heat dries out vegetation, providing more fuel for fires, and the earlier melting of snow, along with higher summer temperatures, further exacerbates the risk.
Research from FMI indicates that the number and size of wildfires in Finland are likely to increase by the end of the century if climate change continues unchecked. To mitigate these risks, tackling carbon emissions is crucial.
Original story was published by Euronews on 27.08.2024 and can be found here.
Finland assesses pros and cons of Salmonella control program
The assessment of Finland’s national Salmonella control program for pigs was covered in an article by Food Safety News on August 28. The article provides a detail on both its benefits and challenges.
The Finnish Food Authority, Ruokavirasto, evaluated the program, which has been in place since 1995, to determine its impact on public health and associated costs. The program has been effective in keeping the prevalence of Salmonella in domestic pork low, thereby protecting consumers from salmonellosis—a foodborne illness caused by Salmonella. The assessment estimated that if Salmonella-infected pigs were not removed from the production chain, the number of human illness cases could increase four-fold.
Finland enjoys a special status within the European Union, which allows it to require that imported fresh meat be certified Salmonella-free. This status could be jeopardized if the control program is abandoned or altered.
The report also noted that the costs of maintaining the program, particularly those associated with cleaning, disinfection, and other risk management measures, have increased in recent years. These costs are mostly borne by businesses, with some assistance from insurance, but the financial burden has become more challenging, impacting the economic sustainability of farms. If the control program were to be discontinued or replaced with a less stringent system, such as serological sampling used in Denmark, the costs associated with managing outbreaks would decrease, but the public health burden, including illness costs, would rise.
In light of these findings, Ruokavirasto recommended reorganizing the pork production chain and improving Salmonella monitoring to maintain food safety standards as required by law.
Original story was published by Food Safety News on 28.08.2024 and can be found here.
Finnish government taking “reckless risks” with restrictive gambling regulatory framework
The proposed restrictive regulations on gambling marketing was covered in an article by iGaming Business on August 29. The article discusses Finland’s plan to liberalize its gambling market by ending Veikkaus’ monopoly and allowing commercial operators by 2027. However, the proposed strict marketing restrictions, including bans on bonusing and influencer marketing, are criticized by industry experts.
“Marketing is unjustifiably limited, sponsorship is stifled, while bonuses and offers are prohibited. If it doesn’t change course quickly, the law reform will run into a wall and gambling on the grey market will continue,” Mika Kuismanen, CEO of Finnish online gambling trade body Rahapeliala Ry, said.
Kuismanen argues that these restrictions could severely hamper the ability of licensed operators to attract and retain customers, which would undermine the goal of channeling players away from unregulated or “grey market” operators. He warns that without the ability to offer bonuses or engage in other traditional marketing tactics, legal operators will struggle to compete with unlicensed platforms that can attract players with aggressive promotional offers.
He also suggests that Finland could look to Denmark’s bonusing model as a more balanced approach. Denmark allows bonuses but regulates them in a way that promotes responsible gambling while still enabling operators to compete effectively.
Original story was published by iGaming Business on 29.08.2024 and can be found here.
Navracsics has talks in Finland
Hungary’s Minister Tibor Navracsics visit to Finland was covered in an article by The Budapest Times on August 30. The article gives details of his discussion on EU competitiveness, cohesion policy, and regional development.
He met with Finnish officials, including Minister Anna-Maja Henriksson, to exchange insights on Finland’s success in these areas, particularly in the Oulu region, which will be the European Capital of Culture in 2026. In Helsinki, he also met with Finnish officials to strengthen bilateral political and economic ties and discussed the priorities of Hungary’s upcoming EU Council presidency.
He praised Finland's regional development strategies, and emphasized the importance of cooperation on common challenges like aging populations and emigration.
The visit aimed to strengthen political and economic ties between the two countries.
Original story was published by The Budapest Times on 30.08.2024 and can be found here.
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