Saara Lilja, CEO, teacher, lecturer, artist, specialist in the changing climate and maintaining biodiversity. (PhD. in Forestry, MSc. in Biology)
How can we build a more responsible future today?
The climate is changing faster than expected and biodiversity is diminishing. We need more and
more cooperation between research and operators so that responsible practices are strengthened in
our society. Strengthening responsibility competence in all organizations means linking climate
change mitigation, adaptation to change and appreciation of biodiversity structures.
I have a lot of experience in building a society of sustainable development, both in administration
and in the field of research, education and development. Emergenssi Ltd. was founded to better
connect the means of combating climate change with actions that protect biodiversity as an aspect
of corporate responsibility. I my view, the transition to sustainability can be enhanced by introducing
nature-based solutions. Nature-based solutions include lake and forest restoration. This may include
nurturing old trees, both in cities and in the countryside. It is also possible to build solutions
connecting science and art, and thus develop a deeper understanding of responsibility.
Examples of our current activities in global collaboration
NETWORKING & ART-SCIENCE INTERACTION:
Saara Lilja’s The Road to the Planet exhibition in Iceland Harpa, Iceland, 16–18 October 2025, during the Arctic Circle Assembly.
Read more: Veijola, K. 2025.
https://arcticgeoss.org/2025/11/21/arctic-passion-and-water-in-your-boots-at-arctic-circle-assembly-2025/
We need the wisdom of nature – a trialogue of the three photography exhibitions by Saara Lilja
SuomiAreena, 23–26 June 2026, Pori, Finland. Nightingale stage at the market place.
Previous:
- Jorvi Hospital, Espoo, 17.5–13.4.2026
- Sofia Cultural Centre & Conference Hotel Sofia, Vuosaari, Helsinki, Finland, ACCC Impact Week 14–17 April 2026 and until 17 May 2026
You are welcome to see the Art–Science interaction on nature-based solutions (NbS). In a trialogue of three photography exhibitions, We need the wisdom of nature combines Saara Lilja’s tree photo exhibitions together: The Earth on My Path 2023, The Road to the Planet 2024, and Next to You – The Salt of Life 2025. Most of the photos are from nearby nature from Rajakylä, Vantaa, Finland. Two photos are from Norway, Lofoten, Melbu.
Saara Lilja’s photographs of local nature to strengthen planetary wellbeing.
Human-induced climate change and biodiversity loss threaten life on Earth, making it essential to strengthen people’s connection to nature and build community resilience. This art–science exhibition invites visitors to explore boundaries, landscapes and their own relationship with the nearby environment. The series has previously focused on melting ice, the flow between humans and nature, and the importance of appreciating small things. The water cycle has been a recurring theme throughout.
The exhibition encourages slowing down, discovering beauty close to home, and valuing local nature instead of seeking distant destinations. It highlights the need for both honesty about challenges and gratitude for what is good. Nature offers peace and reveals our interconnectedness with ourselves and with others. Visitors are also welcome to discuss resilience training inspired by the artworks. QR codes open more perspectives for you.
Information: saara.lilja@emergenssi.fi
Shared Arctic Variables against wildfires (2022–2026)
To strengthen resiliency by networking – How to build new traditions that build unity?
7.7.2025 Lilja blog:
https://arcticgeoss.org/author/saara-lilja/
Sustainability:
In the sustainability it is essential to combine ecological aspects to social and economic
Read more:
Talk on 25 th of May 2023 in Helsinki University sustainability week
https://www.helsinki.fi/en/conferences/sustainability-science-days-2023/about
Abstract/ Read more:
Art moments and wellbeing: Photographs as nature-based solutions to empower people to grow towards full humanness and enhance community resilience.
Saara Lilja & Arto O. Salonen
Emergenssi Ltd. & University of Eastern Finland
Human-induced climate change and biodiversity loss are significant threats to life on Earth.
Empowering citizens' change-making potential is needed to enhance community resilience. At the
beginning of 2023, we established four Art Moments "You're already there!" in Tikkurila Church,
based on the photo exhibition "Secrets of Interiors". The Art Moments were experimental piloting to
nudge sustainable culture for the community to enhance environmental awareness and empower
people to change their everyday lives and grow towards full humanness. We applied storytelling
methods in which the art and facts meet within the dialog. Complex planetary phenomena were
concretized in pictures that can be described as nature-based solutions (NbS). They demonstrated
the web of life and living systems as planetary phenomena in which human and non-human life are
intertwined. In the photographs, the Lobelia dormanna – a plant in the lake was an example of hope.
The storytelling linked it to the lake restoration management history. The second example was a
photo of Finnish corals emphasizing the importance of epiphytes on the living old trees for
biodiversity. In the Art moments, the participants had a unique opportunity to develop and
experience Inner Development Goals (IDG) skills in practice. These skills include, for example,
openness and the ability to learn, the ability to examine perspectives, appreciation, cohesion,
courage, creativity, and optimism.
Keywords: Wellbeing, Awareness, Resilience, Inner Development Goals, Storytelling, Science-Art
interaction
LECTURES/TALKS IN ENGLISH
Lilja, S. 2023. Human factor for ignitions and managing nature. Preparedness against wildfires SAV-
shared arctic variables workshop. Finnish Meteorological institute. Helsinki 20.4.2023.
Lilja, S. 2023. Restoration and Climate Change. FOR-226 – Restoration of Degraded Ecosystems:
Theory and Application 2023 course. Viikki, University of Helsinki. 24.3.2023.
Lilja, S. 2022. How business/marketing influences society and is influenced by society coupled with
United Nations Development goals. Sustainable marketing-course Hanken 15.11.2022.
Lilja, S. 2022. UN's Sustainable Development Goals and Digitalization -lecture. Course Structure of
Fundamentals of sustainable digitalization – introduction to regulation, analytics and security,
University of Vaasa, School of Accounting and Finance, Business Law. 27.10.2022
Lilja, S. 2022. The concept of the Nature-based solutions in the different scales to enhance
resilience and climate change adaptation by the Baltic Sea Environmental change, agency and
knowledge of the sea- workshops. Academy of Finland SeaHer-project finalseminar. Living with the
Baltic Sea in a changing climate: Environmental heritage and the circulation of knowledge Åbo
Academy, Turku 17.8.2022.
Background examples:
2022: The role of regions and impactful climate actions in achieving a carbon-neutral Finland. Reports of the Finnish Environment Institute 11en/2022.
https://helda.helsinki.fi/handle/10138/341163
2021. Control means of adaptation to climate change, costs and territorial dimensions. Abstract in English.
https://www.ilmastopaneeli.fi/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SUOMI-raportti_final.pdf
2019: IPCC report: Urgent action already needed to adapt to climate change
https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-//1410837/ilmastonmuutokseen-sopeutumisella-on-jo-kiire
2018: Timanttiteko award for 2018 granted to National Climate Change Adaptation Plan implementation group
2017: Tools for urban climate adaptation
https://www.ubc-sustainable.net/news/tools-urban-climate-adaptation
2006: Ecological restoration of forests in Fennoscandia: defining reference stand structures and immediate effects of restoration
Contact
- +358 40 1725366
- saara.lilja@emergenssi.fi