Irina Bjorklund, singer, composer, actress and environmentalist

eco2adapt met up with Irina Bjorklund, singer, composer, actress and environmentalist. Irina comes from Finland and Sweden, two countries represented in the eco2adapt consortium and for which forests are a major source of many ecosystem services.

We asked Irina three questions that focused on her passion for art with her love of Nature:

1) How do forests inspire your music composition?

To me, a forest is a loved one; just like a person I care for very much. It is the source of various deep feelings - peace and serenity, when it is left undisturbed or lovingly nurtured. Emptiness, deep sorrow and even anger, if violated in a disrespectful way. Hence, like a loved one, it inspires me to music, to poetry, to actions.

2) How can art be used to help relay messages about the need to protect forests?

I greatly admire Sir David Attenborough for his achievements in sharing vital messages to all ages through his books and films.

Personally, I find music to be a nice way of getting messages through, without provoking anger in people with different thoughts about forest care. I published an album ("Plant a Seed") and a photography/poetry book ("Haikus for Humanity"), that contribute to reforestation as well as old forest protection. I also did a concert tour around the same thematic.

3) How can we help younger generations to better protect tomorrow's forests?

I think empathy and communication are the key; it's all about how the image of a spider, a snake, a wolf, or a spruce tree is painted to our children. The latter is not just a cut off Christmas tree, but a living source of life, allowing us humans to breathe. Parents and schools likewise have a responsibility in the building of respect towards the other species we share this planet with - flora and fauna - helping kids from a young age understand that all living things are connected, and depend on each other to survive. Social media, instead of being such greedy platforms for consumerism and violence, can be used for helping the nature through constructive games, fun competitions etc. I'm sure someone will be able to make a dime off of that, too, if that truly is all that counts..

@irinabjorklund_official

@haikusforhumanity

https://lnk.to/haikus4humanity

https://www.recordshopx.com/book/bjorklund_irina/haikuja_ihmiskunnalle_haikus_for_humanity/#806501

https://www.recordshopx.com/single/bjorklund_irina/plant_a_seed_haikus_for_humanity/#856088