Dear All,

Thanks again to everyone for the lively and interesting discussion, which has already accumulated a valuable a collection of interesting and well-informed perspectives.

I've spoken with the folks at Tokyo Review (www.tokyoreview.net/) about writing an article based on the discussion we have had on the list. The article would draw on the perspectives shared so far to consider the nature of young people's climate activism in Japan. Reflecting the nature of the discussion, it would not make any firm conclusions, but rather provide readers with a snapshot of the scholarly debate on the topic.

Of course, I will need your consent to quote any contributions shared to this list. I expect to reach out individually as I put together a draft, but it would be immensely helpful if any of you reading this might pre-emptively volunteer your consent for me to use your contributions to the discussion, or alternatively let me know if you would rather not have your comments quoted (please shoot me a separate email at sakari.mesimaki@gmail.com).

I hope you will support me in what should be a worthwhile exercise in social science communication!

Best regards,

Sakari


On 07/11/2019, 10.19, "ssj-forum-bounces@iss.u-tokyo.ac.jp on behalf of SSJ-Forum Moderator" <ssj-forum-bounces@iss.u-tokyo.ac.jp on behalf of ssjmod@iss.u-tokyo.ac.jp> wrote:

From: Marta Szczygiel <szmartae@gmail.com>

Date: 2019/11/06

Dear All,

Thought that some following this thread might find the new article in Japan
Times interesting:


https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/11/05/national/barriers-climate-activism-in-japan/#.XcKpHlNt-Da

Best,

Marta Szczygiel
Tokyo University
JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow

pt., 18 paź 2019, 14:05 użytkownik SSJ-Forum Moderator <
ssjmod@iss.u-tokyo.ac.jp> napisał:

> From: Peter Matanle <peter_matanle@yahoo.co.jp>
>
> Date: 2019/10/16
>
> Thanks to Peter for this discussion and summary.
>
> Just to add a couple of points.
>
> 1. It's important to distinguish between the discourse on environmental
> issues, which has little direct impact, and direct action.
>
> Clearly no one is saying that protest is the best way to reduce GHG
> emissions, which would be a laughable claim if it were not so tiresomely
> levelled at concerned citizens repeatedly by soft denialists as an
> attempt to divert. Of course, investment in renewables technology as a
> replacement for fossil fuel energy, expansion of wilderness areas,
> reductions in consumption and so on are, improvements in recylcing and
> pollution and waste prevention are what are needed to restore at least
> some of the Earth's life support systems. These are the most effective
> ways of achieving environmental restoration, it is obvious and needless
> to say.
>
> However, it is also undeniable that protest is effective in garnering
> those with power and money to take the above action. Greta Thunberg's
> bravery and persistence has catalysed an enormous groundswell of concern
> into public protest and action by, mostly, younger people so that
> politicians feel able to act (or compelled) and businesses find
> themselves in ever more uncomfortabhle situations if their behaviour is
> destructive. Her action has also helped ordinary people to increase
> their own environmentally concerned behaviours in the way of reducing
> consumption, recycling waste, upcycling materials, etc etc. There are
> many other 'Gretas' out there who do not receive her recognition,
> particularly in developing countries. However, Greta's actions are
> nonetheless extremely important because the countries where she is
> having most impact are precisely those (except Japan) which are the most
> egregious contributors to environmental breakdown and ecological collapse