The Importance of Natural and Social Capital in Satoyama and Satoumi Landscapes: Learning from the Great East Japan Earthquake Dr. Kazuhiko Takeuchi Director, Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S), The University of Tokyo Senior Vice-Rector, United Nations University The 3 rd GPSS-GLI International Symposium How Can We Build Kizuna for Sustainability? An Ecological Perspective 19 January 2015, Kashiwa-no-ha Conference Center
Sustainable Society in Harmony with Nature Creating a sustainable society by combining concepts of a low carbon society, resourcecirculating society, and society in harmony with nature was proposed in Japan s strategy for a Sustainable Society (approved by the Cabinet in 2007). The vision of the CBD s Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, including the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, is Living in harmony with nature (adopted at CBD COP 10). Developing nations actively supported this vision, despite criticisms from some developed nations that it is based on an oriental view of nature. During CBD COP10, the Satoyama Initiative proposed by MOEJ and UNU was recognized, and the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI), was launched. The Satoyama Initiative aims to contribute to the second objective of the CBD: sustainable use of biodiversity. The Fourth IPSI Global Conference (IPSI-4); September 2013 in Fukui, Japan Paddy field producing Callingback-stork Farming Rice in Shirayama, Echizen City Students presentation in Shirayama Elementary School 2
Partnership among Stakeholders on the Occasion of Rio+20 Rio+20, which was unprecedented in size among UN meetings, included the participation of 45,000 people. The importance of partnership among various stakeholders towards building sustainable societies was highlighted. In Japan, a national preparatory committee for Rio+20 was established, and nine major groups were invited in recognition of the significance of sharing experiences from the Great East Japan Earthquake. The outcome document The Future We Want was adopted and a process was launched to develop a set of SDGs. It was stressed that realizing societies in harmony with nature will contribute to achieving green economy. 3 (C)iisd
Partnerships and Local Communities Why partnerships? Enable achievement of goals which are difficult for individuals Promote reconstruction by sharing information and complementing the wisdom and resources of each party by partnering with various stakeholders Share Complement Disseminate Solving problems and revitalizing communities Maximizing knowledge and capacity through partnerships Partnerships among local gov t, enterprises, NGOs, disaster victims, supporters, etc. became a major driving force to address various issues. Partnerships have a great potential to enhance people s capacities to solve various challenges toward creating sustainable societies. Promoting green economy through partnerships Efforts through partnerships have generated new ideas and mechanisms, which provide benefits that extend beyond just the disaster victims. Maintains employment, which leads to people s economic independence and local community revitalization. A notable point is that building partnership also brings benefits to a wider range of stakeholders. Key person to lead and support the activities 新しいビジネスモデル New business model Financial mechanism to support activities Win-win idea 4
Discussion at Rio+20: Green Economy and Society in Harmony with Nature Amazon agroforestry by Japanese Brazilians in Tomé-Açu offers a green economy model based on a society in harmony with nature Keywords for the creation of societies in harmony with nature: resilience, new commons, new business models Need for strategies to strengthen local resilience against both long-term environmental change (climate change, etc.) and short-term environmental change (natural disasters, etc.) Rio+20 Side Event Agroforestry (Brazil nut and cacao forest) 5
The Threats and Blessings of Japan s Natural Environment Blessings of nature The Great East Japan Earthquake reminded us of both sides of nature: threats and blessings. Need to review measures which heavily depend on engineering technology Construct a society which is in harmony with nature, while also strengthening security New value can be generated with innovative ideas to improve natural conditions through nature restoration projects on mountains of rubble or subsidence areas created by tsunamis. North Hakkoda Mountain Range (MOEJ) Damage caused by the natural disasters 6
Aiding Disaster Recovery and the Concepts of Satoyama and Satoumi The ria-type coast of the disaster-affected Tohoku coastline is a typical example of an integrated satoyama and satoumi area with important linkages between them. Mr. Shigeatsu Hatakeyama has undertaken reforestation activities in upstream areas after recognizing the important role of forests in providing soil nutrients to estuaries where oyster beds are kept. Regional revitalization as part of the disaster recovery effort must be undertaken with renewed attention to the linkages between satoyama and satoumi. Focusing on satoyama satoumi linkages, and to aid disaster recovery, the Ministry of the Environment of Japan established a new type of national park named the Sanriku Fukko (Reconstruction) National Park Managing forests rich in biodiversity Plankton Seaweed Oceans rich in marine biodiversity The linkage between Satoyama and Satoumi Source: MOEJ Tree-planting festival, Kesennuma 7
Multilevel Governance and Cross-Scale Coordination Globalization, climate change, biodiversity loss Global National/ regional Local Produced Capital Natural Capital Human Capital Social Capital Global level stakeholders Interaction Counteract and collaborate National/ regional level stakeholders Interaction Counteract and collaborate Local level stakeholders Assistance from the world (by MOFA, Japan) People transporting relief supplies in a labor-intensive manner Assistance was provided not only from inside Japan, but also by other countries, creating new types of bonds in the current era of globalization. Such bonds are supported by cross-scale partnerships based on multi-level governance mechanisms 8
Lessons from these Experiences Utilizing Social and Natural Capital and Strengthening Resilience Promoting partnerships through Partnerships - Fully utilize each stakeholder s wisdom and abilities. - Such partnerships exhibit significant possibilities in terms of improving people s problem-solving abilities. Strengthening resilience - Through conservation and utilization of the ecosystem. - Partnerships create a resilient society, which conserves rich ecosystem services as well as utilizes them. Advancing a Green Economy via social capital. - Social capital brings new ideas and mechanisms, which are beneficial for maintaining employment, realizing economic autonomy and revitalizing local areas. 9
Sanriku Fukko National Park and Green Reconstruction Project Sanriku coast boasts many national parks, and has an abundance of nature. Expansion of the Rikuchu Kaigan National Park, and inclusion of satoyama and satoumi in the creation of a Sanriku Fukko (Reconstruction) National Park. Raise the issue of the close relationship between people and nature, based on the threats and blessings of nature. Sanriku Geopark for education and preserving the memory of the earthquake and tsunami. Examination of possibilities for developing sustainable and renewable energy including solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal, in harmony with national parks and environmental protection. Matsushima The area considered for reorganization. Matsukawaura Tanesashikaiga- Hashikamidake Rikuchukaigan Kesennuma Minami Sanriku-Kinkasan Kenjyosan-Mangokuura National Park Quasi-National Park Prefectural Natural Park Green Reconstruction Project Establishment of the new Sanriku Fukko (Reconstruction) National Park Satoyama Satoumi Field Museum Fukko (reconstruction) eco-tourism Long Trail Michinoku Coastal Trail Natural environment monitoring Regenerating the connection between forest, satoyama, river and sea Promoting development of human resources to play a major role in creating a sustainable society (ESD) Satoyama Satoumi Field Museum (By MOEJ) 10
Creation of Resilient Societies in the Reconstruction Process A newly-emerging issue is how to create resilient societies that can respond to both sudden disasters (e.g. tsunamis, floods) and long-term changes in nature (e.g. climate change) The key to creating sustainable societies is to enhance the overall wealth by accumulating both social and natural capital, in addition to produced capital. Strengthening socio-ecological resilience (e.g. evacuation routes, disaster risk reduction training) is also important in addition to increasing physical resilience. Utilization of natural resources and strengthening resilience through partnerships are key. Nature restoration project in Otomoura(Photo by GHI) Evacuation route from a beach to a hotel on higher ground. (MOEJ) 1948 1977 2011
Promoting Ecosystem based Disaster Risk Reduction People in disaster-affected areas in the Tohoku region are now thinking about a future vision for living with nature. Urban neighborhoods need to be relocated from tsunami-affected areas or subsided land Utilizing vulnerable land for farming and restoring natural marshlands will strengthen regional resilience Reconstruction of safer coastal forests, partly using recycled debris from the disaster The Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction will be held in Sendai City in March 2015. The roles of ecosystems, including coastal wetlands and forests, in preventing and mitigating disaster risks in different parts of the world will be discussed. Cooperation among various stakeholders, including government, private sector organizations, NPOs and citizens is important to realize societies in harmony with nature with strengthened resilience to respond to disasters. Restoring natural marshlands Planting trees for rehabilitation (Photo by Mr. Takao Ogawara) 12
Role of Universities and Researchers Local universities and scientists play important roles in partnership in addition to local government and citizens. Local universities should consider how to work with local communities to solve problems together. The role of ESD is important for reconstruction by enhancing the capacity for decision-making, managing crises and designing future visions of these areas. Perspectives of experts can bring awareness and rediscovery of attractiveness of areas, which may not have been recognized completely by the local people. Scientific knowledge helps to build consensus among various stakeholders. Miyagi University of Education Center for Disaster Education & Recovery Assistance was established in June 2011 to take initiative in recovering the education in the disaster-affected areas. (Source: Miyagi University)
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