The main focus areas of our group

• The group studies weather and climate impacts on natural environment, e.g., forests and Arctic regions.

• We investigate the weather and climate-related human health risks, such as vector-borne diseases and the conditions for their occurrence.

• We develop novel microclimatic impact modelling and related measurements for very fine spatial and temporal scales.

• We participate in the editorial board of the FMI's monthly Climate Bulletin and the coordination of the national climate change portal, Climateguide.fi.

Stakeholder cooperation

• We participate in a working group set by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health to draw up a national action plan to prevent adverse health effects caused by hot weather.

• We cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to develop and promote the use of weather and climate services for the health sector.

• Our expert is also a member of the steering group of ClimaHealth.info portal.

• Our expert is a member of the Finnish Nature Panel and the Finnish National IPBES working group.

• Our experts are involved in the Finnish National coordination group for nature information (Lukki) which develops the production, use and sharing of nature information produced in Finland.

• We are involved in two working groups of the Arctic Council: one focuses on biodiversity (Circumarctic Flora and Fauna – CAFF) and the other produces information about the Arctic environment and its changes to support decision making (Arctic Monitoring & Assessment Programme – AMAP).

• Our expert participates the global network of researchers (Microclimate Ecology & Biogeography) which studies microclimates.

Examples of notable outputs

Our experts have been involved in producing several research publications, datasets, and services:

Reports

• AMAP Arctic climate change update 2024: Key trends and impacts

• Adaptation to climate change in Finland : Current state and future prospects

Articles

• Bioclimatic atlas of the terrestrial Arctic

• Bioclimate change across the protected area network of Finland

• Temperature-related mortality in Helsinki compared to its surrounding region over two decades, with special emphasis on intensive heatwaves

• Pedestrian wintertime slip and fall injuries—effectiveness of weather warning service in prevention

• Impact of selected meteorological factors on COVID-19 incidence in Southern Finland during 2020–2021

• Future scenarios for heating and cooling degree days in Finland

Datasets

• Monthly mean temperature gridded data (10x10 km2) since 1961 (Paituli spatial data download service)

• Monthly mean precipitation gridded data (10x10 km2) since 1961 (Paituli spatial data download service)

Services

• Wild berries predictions (map service of the Natural Resources Institute Finland, Luke) (Marjasää project)