In my own words.

A happy childhood in Häme

I was born in 1984 and lived in Hyvinkää, from where I moved with my family to Kanta-Häme in Janakkala in 1989. I attended elementary school and high school there. We spent the summers at a cottage on the shore of Mallinkaistenjärvi. Even as a child I was interested in nature and liked animals a lot.

During the economic depression years of the 1990s, many shops disappeared from the center of Turenki, and we visited flea markets on the weekends. Even then, the spark for the circular economy was ignited – I learned that not everything has to be new.

My childhood dream profession was a teacher. I admired the work of the teachers and how widely they know about things. In recent years, I have realized that education and training are also the foundation of a sustainable economy.

My first position of trust was Chairman of the high school student union. My music teacher said at the time: "Timo will some day become be a member of parliament". That prediction won't go away if I'm elected MEP. The people are also represented in Europe. 

Towards the big questions of our economy.

Even though I had dreamed of becoming a teacher as a child, I ended up at the National Defense University.

I got excited about the business world in a nice summer workplace. Career started in sales. Along with work, I went to study at Turku University of Economics and studies in the United States and Hong Kong as well. Thanks to good “boss luck” and suitable opportunities, I progressed in working life first to Marketing Director and then to the top management of a listed company.

I worked for 12 years in sustainable consumption and circular economy companies: Biolan Group, Raisio , Harvia ja Tori.fi. Along the way, I lived in Hämeenlinna, Turku, Jyväskylä and Helsinki.

At the age of 37, I got to manage a circular economy company Emmyn.

Why circular economy, why Greens?

While marketing consumer products, I saw up close how broken our economic system really is. We have a structural problem that encourages us to make products that don't last. Repairing has also been made unprofitable, and recycled raw materials are almost always more expensive than virgin ones.

Osmo Soininvaara's thinking attracted me to the Greens. I joined the party in my twenties and have been e.g. a member of the Party Council. I am a member of Hämeenlinnan vihreät, Talousvihreeät ja Tieteen ja teknologian vihreät. The "economic wing" of the Greens, as someone described it.

I am often asked to speak as an expert on the themes of the green transition and the circular economy for various occasions

A big thing also happened at the end of last year: tI got elected Climate Ambassador of EU Climate Pact.

To the European Parlament!

Now I am perhaps facing the biggest project of my life: running for office in the national elections. In the European Parliament, real change is being made, for which I have worked for 15 years.

Europe is facing an unprecedented dismantling of the linear economy. Manufacturing, selling and repairing durable goods is not as profitable as selling scrap, disposables or fast fashion.

Our system is flawed, to put it mildly, when replacing the zipper of a child's overalls becomes more expensive than ordering a new overall – made with child labor and non-renewable natural resources from a Chinese online store.

The change must first of all take place in the system. In addition to that, the operations of current companies must be supported towards a circular economy and companies must be encouraged to engage in new types of business.

At the same time, people's thinking and consumption culture must be renewed. I am also doing that work with this campaign.

Now I hope for your trust. There is enthusiasm, votes and support are needed!

Timpa

Ps. Europe's best days are just ahead of us. Finland's advantage is also a Europe that endures.