Message from the G7/Earth Day Open Forum Hokkaido (English Version)
In response to the G7 Sapporo Ministerial Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment, the "G7/Earth Day Open Forum Hokkaido", a gathering of Hokkaido-based individuals, citizen’s group representatives, and academic researchers, met at Sapporo Odori High School on April 15 and 16, 2023. Upon the consensus of the participants, we hereby present our message.
Environmental Issues and Hokkaido
Despite its rich natural environment, even in Hokkaido the blessings of ecosystems such as the nutrient cycles between sea and land provided by migrating salmon and the biodiversity of wetland areas have been lost over the past 150 years, since the beginning of Japan’s industrial modernization and the development of Hokkaido’s natural resources. Destruction of ecosystems as a result of climate change is also increasing, while the indigenous Ainu face difficulty in securing materials to support their traditional culture, which is rooted in the natural environment.
Since the era of Japan’s rapid post-World War II economic growth, the emphasis has been on efficiency and reliance upon a socio-economic infrastructure that is anything but green. This has brought economic success and security. But it has also greatly threatened resilient ecosystems. Furthermore, climate change, natural disasters, urban expansion, and a decrease in rural population are altering the relationship between humans and nature, as exemplified by the appearance of brown bears in Hokkaido’s residential areas.
At the same time, the diversity of forest ecosystems teaches us the importance of leaving biological legacies remain in their natural state rather than working to clear forests, rivers, and beaches following a natural disaster.
We are now in a situation where all of us must be aware of changes in the natural environment and take early action. However, knowledge of and interest in such changes are not uniform. Therefore, it is necessary to create opportunities for experts and concerned citizens to exchange views in order to mutually investigate, learn about, and gain a better understanding and appreciation of the current situation. We believe that when people from different backgrounds and perspectives come together and think about the challenges, they will develop a better understanding of natural ecosystems and a better sense of value for coexistence with, and restoration of, the natural environment.
Addressing Hokkaido's Problems
Environmental issues are highly interrelated with other problems. For example, there is a correlation between environmental destruction and delays in achieving gender equality. Similarly, the dilemma between climate change countermeasures and biodiversity conservation is a major challenge. In order to break this vicious cycle, it`s necessary to cultivate an awareness and perspective that "someone else's problem could be my problem.”
Education plays an important role in acquiring a sense of reality about these challenges. Education that encourages a deep dialogue with the self and the joy of finding points of agreement with others with different values will make it possible to accept the various issues as one's own.
While there is a need to fundamentally improve the quality of education, Hokkaido lacks both an "environment for learning" about these issues and a sense of "learning for the sake of the environment.” Overcoming these challenges means overcoming numerous roadblocks. These include delays in developing an engaged rather than a passive reading environment, delays in reaching gender equality, and an indulgence in outdated ways of teaching and learning.
The current education system can lead to a lack of deep understanding about social issues which, in turn, can foster a presumptuous attitude that "I want to meet with people with disabilities because I want to work on the SDGs”, or to false assumptions, such as "children are always vulnerable and must be kept under thorough control.”
It is of great significance to promote the creation of a society in which everyone, regardless of gender or social position, can equally enjoy a wealth of information and knowledge and freely disseminate it. The realization that "I am capable of making a difference" will lead to solutions for the world’s many problems, including environmental issues.
Hokkaido's food self-sufficiency rate is over 200%. In some areas it is more than 1000%. But its natural environment, exhausted by food production and land use that exceeds environmental capacity, is being sacrificed for its contribution to national development and economic principles. The present political, social, and economic structure of Hokkaido sometimes forces us into an uneasy relationship with the environment, even in areas such as decarbonization and green energy. We resolve to not only contribute to Japan and the world through food and energy production, but also by leading the way to a sustainable society in which we, as Hokkaido residents, can live well by making wise use of the natural capital we are blessed with. In order to realize this future, it is important to promote bottom-up, or citizen-led, participation.
We must also look at the division between generations. We must not push the responsibility for environmental issues onto the next generation or shift it to the older generation. Nor must we believe that the responsibility to solve these issues is ours alone, or that we alone must bear the burden of that responsibility. Such attitudes will ultimately result in the creation of nothing. In considering the best partnerships for finding solutions, we believe that region to region partnerships are more important than country to country partnerships. We of the Hokkaido region will use this forum as an opportunity to further promote such partnerships with other regions, in which all can participate on an equal footing, transcending regional and generational boundaries.
Our Message to The International Community
We call upon the world to not view Hokkaido and its different parts in conventional, stereotypical ways, such as top-down managed governmental administrative districts, mass agricultural production zones, scenic tourist destinations, or as a place where consumption is the goal. Rather, we want everyone to focus on future-oriented actions they can take for Hokkaido`s environment as a whole. We will study other regions of the world that have similar situations to Hokkaido, and work with them to promote the SDGs, which promise that no one shall be left behind.
We are not taking these actions with a “sour look” on our faces. We will be open and tolerant, even passionate, because we want to ensure Hokkaido, Japan, and the international community can work together to achieve a world where human-induced environmental damage is reduced, making survival and prosperity easier for all forms of life, and thus achieving the SDGs.
In doing so, we will not be confrontational, as we believe a harmonious approach is the best way to gain a realistic view of the world, Hokkaido, and our individual selves.
April 16, 2023
G7/Earth Day Open Forum Hokkaido