There is so much to say about Stockholm, so please note that whatever I write, it will not give the city the sheer justice it deserves. However, it will capture just a glimpse of the past three days.
I would like to begin with an introduction to why I am traveling around Scandinavia. While I have chosen to major in Supply Chain Management, I am also minoring in Environment & Society (which is essentially sustainability). From helping my grandma plant her favorite red geraniums when I was young, to making a goal of going an entire year without using plastic bags, I have always been passionate about improving the environment.
Scandinavian countries are notorious for their sustainability habits. It is ingrained in the culture and lifestyles, something that Americans will eventually need to learn. For ten days prior to the start of my semester in Florence, I am participating in a class, which travels through Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and London looking at environmental justice in Northern Europe. My professor assigned each student both a role and a resource to focus on throughout our travels. I will be looking at air through a scientific lens. I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to partake in this experience and see the world through this unique perspective.
We started our journey in London and left for Stockholm just a few hours after meeting. Stockholm is actually made up of 14 islands.
Here are a few things you may want to know about Sweden.
The country is home to H&M, Spotify, and of course IKEA. They also host the Nobel Prizes each year. The awards were named after Alfred Nobel, who is most notorious for the creation of dynamite. I had the opportunity to visit the concert house where the award ceremony takes place. It appeared as though several pigeons hold their own award ceremony in the off-seasons, better known as Droppings over Stockholm.
Another highlight of Stockholm included meeting with a few developers and learning about their sustainability initiatives. Grow Smarter is a company which renovates older apartment buildings and makes them more environmentally friendly. The Royal Seaport is another incredible area that is being remodeled by the city to become more sustainable. The neighborhood only includes 0.5 parking spaces per person. If you would like to move to Stockholm, I suggest you start thinking about which half of your car you like best or utilize Stockholm’s plethora of electric scooters.
After visiting the Vasa, a ship that sunk 15 minutes into its first voyage in 1628, we scootered around the island. I never thought that scooters were an acceptable mode of transportation beyond the age of 12. However, electric scooters are so much fun, and a great way to see the city. It is also included as a mode of transportation on google maps.
We spent some time outdoors, kayaking around Långholmen. It was the perfect weather for kayaking and another incredible view of Stockholm. Our guide spoke to us about his business, Green Trails. It’s an incredibly unique company, in that it attempts to get people comfortable with the outdoors, while also preserving it for future generations. They are in the process of switching over to kayaks made from recycled plastic.
Studying business and being involved in the social entrepreneurship club on campus, I have gained great admiration for any business that takes on a social cause and gives back to the community. There is a concept often referred to as the triple bottom line. It means that there are three notions one must keep in mind to have a successful business. The first and most obvious is profits. People, the community in which the business operates, is the second pillar. Lastly, a business must actively care for the environment and planet. When making strategic business decisions it is becoming more important to find balance in these three pillars, rather than focusing solely on profits, people, or even the planet.
It’s an interesting concept that many Americans are still struggling to comprehend. However, when asking our Swedish guide about his business decision to sacrifice profits in order to preserve the environment, he didn’t even hesitate to argue that it was the right choice.
It is easy to forget about the lands at which our homes and businesses sit. However, it’s important to note that we ourselves are merely visitors in nature and must do what we can to maintain the environment not only for the plants and animals which inhabit it but for ourselves.
For those of you who are hesitant towards these ideas, I’d like to share an interesting fact with you. Sweden has some of the best air quality on the planet. People who live in Stockholm live an average of two years longer, due to the incredible air quality. If you don’t view yourself as being one with nature, just remember that you too can benefit from helping the environment.
Think about your carbon footprint. What legacy will you leave? Maybe choose to skip the plastic bag at the grocery store or walk for coffee instead of driving. It may seem like a small effort, but eventually, these actions transform into habits that are ingrained in our society.
After visiting Stockholm I have come to realize that a truly sustainable city is not only possible, but ideal for people, the planet, and in many cases profits. In America, 67% of our trash is sent to landfills, while Sweden only sends 1.7% of their waste to a landfill. We have come to live in a society where single-use and temporary products have become the norm.
After having dinner in Slussen, one of Stockholm’s many islands, I came across a park that had a beautiful view of the sunset. The park was busy with locals picnicking on the grass. When taking a closer look, I noticed that each picnic group had brought their own reusable plates, cups, and even silverware. This is something that one would not typically see in America.
It is through these little actions that we gain the ability to preserve the environment for future generations. As we are each granted the opportunity to live on this earth, it is our responsibility to maintain both its beauty and resources for generations to come.
Thanks for following along on my adventures in Stockholm. Stay tuned for my travels through Finland!
What a great reminder and teaching tool to be more environmentally responsible. Love you.