Sabina Kraatz,
Archaeology student and intern at the Finnish Heritage Agency
Acting sustainable and developing methods and attitudes towards a common goal can occur in different ways. Climate change prevails a critical topic to be discussed and understood in our society and changes seem demanding to reach. Making a visible difference, however, requires cooperation and creative thinking between people with different knowledge. The initiatives we take towards progressing sustainably can occur in the smaller visible actions we do, such as spreading awareness of changes, research and using and developing technology to adapt to our current situation. All parties must cooperate and share information openly to progress in the climate question. The End of Glory Days project combined forces with DAN, the Divers Alert Network, as a way to show cooperation between sciences and people and spreading awareness.
On a misty Friday I got the possibility to
spend my first day as an intern at the Finnish Heritage Agency. The day
illustrated both the relation between cultural heritage sites and climate
change, also how maritime archaeologists and divers are involved in ocean
sustainability. The day began with technical preparations and instructing the
five persons who would be diving to the wreck Hilma. Additionally, we had the
chance to learn to know the representatives of DAN; Alana Alvarez and Manuel
Bustelo and discuss their journey across Europe. The tour, carried out in an
electric vehicle, promotes a more open mindset about our environment and taking
responsibility of our underwater cultural heritage and ecosystems. Listening to
their experiences about various diving locations and opinions on climate change
not only made me review my own opinions, but made me more curious about the
multitude of the underwater world and being open to explore a range of new sustainability
solutions.
As the divers and filming equipment were
prepared, the remotely operated underwater vehicle ROV was submerged. Powered
by a human motor, Ekku Pinola, the theme of the day was yet again credited by
sustainable actions. Minna Koivikko, a maritime archaeologist at the Finnish
Heritage Agency, introduced the event and people to the livestream public (see the link below). In
the meantime, I had the chance to familiarize myself with the diving equipment
as well as the radio connection to divers, kindly instructed by Päivi
Pihlanjärvi, a colleague of Minna. As much as I wanted to communicate with Ekku
by the radio, I could only hear muffled sounds and breathing through the line
as he asked if more divers were coming in along the wire. Communication using
the radio is something I will keep on practicing and later assist with other
field tasks as well.
Video-material was received from the ROV of the wreck Hilma and information about the diving visibility, wreck condition and depth was communicated through the radio. Touchable approaches to the wreck site, such as diving and watching a direct video of the location aid in understanding why archaeology matters in the climate question. I had no expectations for the day, however, I was positively surprised by the cooperation between people of different backgrounds and how new information and opinions were shared interdisciplinarily. Members of DAN, the Finnish Maritime Archeological Society, Sukeltajat Ry, guests and the Finnish Heritage Agency had the possibility to share valuable information of their tasks and interests during the day. A combining factor between all these people was their capability to co-operate and their interest in the main question of the day, the sustainability and health of our waters.
It is necessary to act transparently in the light of current issues surrounding us and work as a team with people with different knowledge. My experience of being a part of such a group of experts, divers and volunteers was enlightening and provided new nuances in thinking green. Because the subject of a climate crisis is challenging, the sense of belonging in a knowledgeable group and working towards common goals creates an open-minded attitude and motivation to be innovative. I recommend people with the will to act on and work with sustainability to search for these types of groups to join in spreading facts and awareness. Sites, such as the wreck Hilma, prove acts of sustainability are not only affecting the lives and nature far beyond, but also the environment just beside us.
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Several informative interviews were held during the
streaming of the event. Minna Koivikko interviewing Sofia Sokolowski and Anne Räisänen-Sokolowski. Sharing opinions, expectations and experiences shapes
people and improves the understanding of challenging topics. Photo: Krista
Paasi.
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Livestream by Georg Ahti, OVO/MAS
