Hi everyone,

Wanted to share a link to the climate strike article which has now been published: https://www.tokyoreview.net/2019/12/japan-climate-strike/

Such a short article can only reflect a few aspects of the very rich conversation had on this list (as well as my personal biases!) so please do forgive me for all the inevitable omissions and simplifications I have no doubt committed.

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