2:15 PM - 2:45 PM
[O06-02] Action for Climate change mitigation from Japanese Geoparks Network
★Invited Papers
Keywords:Climate change, Geopark
Looking back on last summer, many people would likely say, "It was hot." And this winter, too, continues to be unusually warm. It's no wonder, as in 2023, the world saw its highest average temperatures on record, with the influence of the El Niño phenomenon contributing to a continuation of this trend this year.
In terms of experiencing climate change, many may feel various effects, such as gradually increasing hot days over decades or an increase in heavy rainfall disasters. If this change continues for several more decades, what kind of world will we face?
Beyond simply becoming hotter, the Earth ahead, as climate change progresses, is predicted to experience an increase in the frequency and severity of various meteorological disasters like heavy rainfall and droughts. This could lead to scenarios of dystopia, including crop failures, the spread of diseases and pests, resulting famine, conflicts over water and resources, and various other difficulties. There's a possibility of unforeseen challenges arising simultaneously for which no one has solutions or answers.
To prevent such a world, what can we do? Moreover, despite researchers' extensive warnings, what are the reasons that greenhouse gas emissions continue? The answer lies in our daily lives. Activities like agriculture, transportation, apparel production, energy usage, and consumption of various goods significantly contribute to emissions. It could be said that it's the entirety of our society and economic systems that support our convenient lifestyles which are the underlying causes.
One perspective is that each of us, through our (often unconscious) participation and dependence on this societal and economic system, contributes to advancing climate change. Recognizing this, the author believes it's necessary to start making changes from wherever we can influence. To steer away from the current path towards dystopia and towards a better future, what can we start from this point?
As part of what individuals can do, the author initiated the "Climate Change Action Working Group" within the Japan Geopark Network in the winter of 2023 and began its activities. In January 2024, a training session on climate change was conducted for stakeholders of the Japan Geopark Network. The training involved understanding the current status and causes of climate change, learning about past climate changes and biological adaptations on a global scale, understanding examples of municipalities' efforts on climate change, learning about examples of public awareness efforts for residents facing crises, and further engaging in dialogue based on these inputs to consider one's own actions, all in a 2-day training.
In a post-event survey (with 22 responses), 100 % of the participants rated the overall training as "satisfactory" or "very satisfactory" on a 4-point scale, with 10 individuals having taken some form of action by early February. These actions included dissemination/education within and outside organizations and changes in behavior at home. Many expressed the need for various forms of training, such as dispatching instructors, providing specific proposals and knowledge, and creating platforms for information sharing, to support the spread of actions against climate change in their regions. Additionally, there were requests for authorized materials and review guidelines from the Japan Geopark Committee, heard during the training session.
Based on the experiences gained from implementation and feedback from participants, efforts will continue to improve the format and content of the training to expand and sustain activities nationwide as specific actions of geoparks. Furthermore, in the role of bridging science and society, there's a desire to increase activities not only in the conservation of geological heritage but also in climate change mitigation efforts and achieving the SDGs.
In terms of experiencing climate change, many may feel various effects, such as gradually increasing hot days over decades or an increase in heavy rainfall disasters. If this change continues for several more decades, what kind of world will we face?
Beyond simply becoming hotter, the Earth ahead, as climate change progresses, is predicted to experience an increase in the frequency and severity of various meteorological disasters like heavy rainfall and droughts. This could lead to scenarios of dystopia, including crop failures, the spread of diseases and pests, resulting famine, conflicts over water and resources, and various other difficulties. There's a possibility of unforeseen challenges arising simultaneously for which no one has solutions or answers.
To prevent such a world, what can we do? Moreover, despite researchers' extensive warnings, what are the reasons that greenhouse gas emissions continue? The answer lies in our daily lives. Activities like agriculture, transportation, apparel production, energy usage, and consumption of various goods significantly contribute to emissions. It could be said that it's the entirety of our society and economic systems that support our convenient lifestyles which are the underlying causes.
One perspective is that each of us, through our (often unconscious) participation and dependence on this societal and economic system, contributes to advancing climate change. Recognizing this, the author believes it's necessary to start making changes from wherever we can influence. To steer away from the current path towards dystopia and towards a better future, what can we start from this point?
As part of what individuals can do, the author initiated the "Climate Change Action Working Group" within the Japan Geopark Network in the winter of 2023 and began its activities. In January 2024, a training session on climate change was conducted for stakeholders of the Japan Geopark Network. The training involved understanding the current status and causes of climate change, learning about past climate changes and biological adaptations on a global scale, understanding examples of municipalities' efforts on climate change, learning about examples of public awareness efforts for residents facing crises, and further engaging in dialogue based on these inputs to consider one's own actions, all in a 2-day training.
In a post-event survey (with 22 responses), 100 % of the participants rated the overall training as "satisfactory" or "very satisfactory" on a 4-point scale, with 10 individuals having taken some form of action by early February. These actions included dissemination/education within and outside organizations and changes in behavior at home. Many expressed the need for various forms of training, such as dispatching instructors, providing specific proposals and knowledge, and creating platforms for information sharing, to support the spread of actions against climate change in their regions. Additionally, there were requests for authorized materials and review guidelines from the Japan Geopark Committee, heard during the training session.
Based on the experiences gained from implementation and feedback from participants, efforts will continue to improve the format and content of the training to expand and sustain activities nationwide as specific actions of geoparks. Furthermore, in the role of bridging science and society, there's a desire to increase activities not only in the conservation of geological heritage but also in climate change mitigation efforts and achieving the SDGs.