[G-04] Geoscience education from elementary school to university students

[G04-09] Attempts at Social Transformation Through Environmental Education Activities Toward the Realization of Nature Positive

*Hajime Matsushima¹ (1.Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University)

Keywords:NbS, Nature Positive, environmental education, coastal plants, Transtheoretical Model

In many developed countries, aging and declining populations are becoming serious social issues. In Japan, the population began to decline after peaking in 2008, and the aging rate is 29.1%, one of the highest in the world. On the other hand, Japan achieved remarkable economic development from 1950s to 1960s following World War II, when rapid population growth was accompanied by high-density urban development and social capital improvements such as road and railway networks. Now a days, many of these infrastructures have now become obsolete and need to be maintained and replacement. However, many municipalities face budget shortages due to population decline, making it difficult to replace aging infrastructure. Furthermore, in recent years, climate change has led to the frequent occurrence of extremely events caused of severe disasters that exceed expectations. Therefore, nature-based solutions (NbS), such as ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) or green infrastructures, are now attracting attention. This presentation will introduce conservation activities by citizens for natural coast that have become endanger landscapes in Japan, as well as restoration and maintenance activities of natural ecosystems by local residents after the tsunami disasters. On the other hand, the lack of financial support and concerns about sustainable activities due to the aging of the population were cited as challenges for citizens' activities to maintain and manage natural ecosystems. In response, incorporating environmental education into elementary school integrated learning programs suggests the potential to ensure sustainability and instill initiatives toward achieving nature positivity in the local community. Through children, these efforts could extend to PTA organizations, neighborhood associations, municipalities, and even businesses.