You can influence many environmental questions through politics. The official ways to influence EU, national and municipal politics include voting, citizen initiative, non-governmental organizations, and political organizations. In addition, citizens can influence by contacting members of the parliament, by lobbying, and by presenting at committees. Often politicians will want to hear what citizens have to say.

To have your say in politics, consider the following:

• Compare the environmental opinions of the political candidates. There are environmentally woke candidates in several different parties.
• When you contact a politician, argument your case clearly and check background information.
• There is strength in numbers. There may be a NGO supporting your cause or interested to do so.
• Write an opinion piece for a local newspaper; these texts attract plenty of readers.
• Follow websites like otakantaa.fi and lausuntopalvelu.fi to learn about proposed laws and other plans, for example.
• There is a specific website for young people at nuortenideat.fi to pose questions for decision makers. The website directs the questions to the right people so that they get answered.
• Follow the websites of different ministries. Particularly the Ministry of Environment provides rules and instructions about living and building.