Time - USA (2021-03-01)

68 Time March 1/March 8, 2021

SANNA

MARIN

35 • Steady under

pressure

BY ERNA SOLBERG

I have yet to meet Sanna Marin in
person, because the COVID-19 pan-
demic has thwarted our tradition of
Nordic leaders meeting regularly.
Instead of meeting face-to-face,
we have kick-started our vision of
being digital front runners and met
online. I watched virtually as Sanna
began her role as Prime Minister
of Finland, taking office just weeks
before the country’s first case of
corona virus was diagnosed in Janu-
ary 2020. New to the job, Sanna did
not have much of a honeymoon pe-
riod, but she adapted quickly. By
implementing a lockdown in March
and banning travel in parts of the
country, Sanna helped to keep
corona virus case levels at one-fifth
of the European Union average.
Globally, Sanna Marin has been
celebrated for becoming Prime Min-
ister so young. However, she is not
a political novice, and during the
pandemic, she has proved that good
leadership does not depend on age.
Times of crisis show us what people
are made of. She’s an important part
of a strong team of women political
leaders in the Nordic-Baltic region.
I look forward to our cooperation in
the future. And being able to meet.

Solberg is the Prime Minister of
Norway

AYA NA

ELIZABETH

JOHNSON

40 • Climate optimist

BY GINA MCCARTHY

When the dark consequences of

climate change engulf our discourse,

I search for a light that shines on the

opportunities and potential for the

future. That’s why I turn to Ayana

Elizabeth Johnson.

Ayana embodies and inspires

optimism in the fight against climate

change, injecting creativity, joy and

hope into an issue that often feels

dire. A marine biologist by trade,

Ayana is a powerful force who has

used her voice to ensure the climate

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