The "Carbon Neutral Urban Design (CNUD) MEET UP" was held by Future Design Shibuya (FDS) and the general incorporated association SWiTCH, and was a forum for discussions among industry, government and academia in Shibuya about a carbon-neutral society. This "vol.4" was held as part of the "Feel the Sea in Shibuya" project, an initiative organized by SWiTCH, with the aim of providing an opportunity to feel the connection between Shibuya and the sea and raising environmental awareness among urban residents.
In Shibuya, which does not face the sea, focusing on the sea leads to the imagination that "things that at first glance seem unrelated have a big impact."
How does our lifestyle have a negative impact on the ocean? What actions are needed now? Thinking about the ocean while living in Shibuya was another enlightening evening.
＜SPEAKER＞
[Part 1 | Presentation: Thinking about the connection between cities and ecosystems]
Shinju Abe (Senior Chief Engineer, Technology Services and Software Division, Platform and Technology Services Business Unit, Digital Platform BU, NEC)
Jun Kihara (Meiji Co., Ltd. Global Cocoa Business Headquarters Cocoa Marketing Department CXS Group Cacaoism Discoverer)
Mr. Shoji Babazono (Professor and Head of the Fashion Design Course, Bunka Fashion Graduate University, Bunka Gakuen Educational Corporation)
Yunosuke Koike (Researcher, Sustainability Planning Office, Corporate Planning Department, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Ltd.)
[Part 2 | Circulating space art “From The OCEAN”]
Introducing a spatial art piece made of plankton using recycled fabric (Netplus®) from discarded fishing nets, exhibited at the Shibuya Station East Exit Underground Plaza, and a report on the workshop for elementary and junior high school students who participated in the creation of the piece
・Lemie. (SWiTCH Sustainable Artist, Graduate of Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London)
[Part 3 | Talk Session: The Future of Coexistence between the Ocean and Humans]
Topics: ・The connection between marine ecosystems and cities ・What fashion can do to combat global warming ・The forefront of marine plastic recycling ・How can we build a society that establishes resource circulation?
Kenji Shino (Brand Responsibility Manager, Environmental and Social Affairs Department, Patagonia Japan Branch)
Kohei Takahashi (Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Sustainable Fashion Department)
Kotaro Seki (CEO, ELLANGE INC.)
Jina Yasuda (Professor, Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo)
Mr. Takashi Kawaguchi (Principal, Shibuya Municipal Rinkawa Elementary School)
"The source of the Shibuya River that runs through Shibuya is a pond in Shinjuku Gyoen. The Shibuya River flows through the areas where you live and connects to the sea. Even though you can't see it, our life in the city is deeply connected to the sea."
At the beginning of the session, Mana Saza, CEO of SWiTCH, touched on the relationship between Shibuya and the sea. This session, which consisted of four parts, featured experts from industry, government, and academia who gave presentations on the current situation, issues, and efforts related to the sea from various angles.
In the first part of the pitch, NEC's Abe shared that "Japanese people are the fourth largest in the world in terms of annual plastic waste, with each person throwing away 37 kg" (2019 survey), and that if things continue as they are, "the amount of plastic waste in the ocean will exceed the amount of fish by 2050." In order to prevent such a future, he stated the need to build a circular recycling system and the importance of making environmentally friendly purchasing choices, and explained that NEC is participating in the Cabinet Office's "Strategic Innovation Creation Program" and is promoting the construction of a "Plastics Information Distribution Platform" to realize a circular economy.
Next, Kihara from Meiji, known for its chocolate, reported on the current status of research and development into repurposing cacao fruit produced on farmland into various materials to create new value, noting that only about 30% of the fruit is actually used. As examples, he introduced cacao flavanol extract and cacao granules made from "cacao pulp," which has already been commercialized, the development of denim fabric made from "cacao husk," cacao seed coat, and cacao ceramide (for details, see the official Meiji Co., Ltd. website "Open Cacao.").
Mr. Koike of Mitsubishi UFJ Bank explained that as a financial institution, they have an impact on natural capital by connecting with nature-positive activities of their clients and their supply chains through investment and loans. This time, he focused on initiatives in the marine sector, and introduced ways in which financial institutions can support a sustainable marine economy, such as supporting and collaborating with startups such as land-based salmon farming businesses, and blue finance, which supports sustainable fishing, wetland and coastal conservation.
Ms. Babazono from Bunka Fashion Graduate University, Japan's first professional graduate school in the fashion field, introduced how sustainable fashion is incorporated into the university curriculum, and the "Upcycling Project," an industry-academia collaboration that tackles the issue of excess inventory in the fashion industry. She shared that they are taking practical steps to create new value. She also shared about a graduate who is developing a clothing brand that uses recycled and certified materials and has a low environmental impact.
In the second part, sustainable artist Lemie. presented his work "From The OCEAN" and reported on his workshop activities with elementary and junior high school students.
"From The OCEAN" was exhibited at the underground plaza at the east exit of Shibuya Station from August 17th to 31st, 2024, so many people may have seen it in person.
This piece focuses on plankton, a microscopic creature that we don't see in our everyday lives. How do plankton, a microorganism, sense changes in the ocean environment? In order to allow visitors to experience this perspective, the plankton has been enlarged to a total length of 8 meters and is exhibited in a space. This piece is a "recycling spatial art" that uses recycled fabric (Netplus®) made from discarded fishing nets. Graduates of Bunka Fashion Graduate University and elementary and junior high school students from Shibuya Ward also participated in the production of the spatial art.
In the workshop activity report, Lemie. introduced plankton that "revitalizes the earth," created by elementary and junior high school students in Shibuya Ward.
Visitors seemed impressed by the plankton, which were based on original ideas that made them wish they actually existed, such as the "Osen Suitoru" that sucks up polluted water and turns it back into clean water, and the "clean plankton" that absorbs oil spilled into the sea. (For details, see the "Experience the Sea in Shibuya" special website | Plankton Encyclopedia)
In the third part of the talk session, key figures from industry, government, academia and the public took to the stage to discuss the current state of the marine environment and important actions that will be taken from their respective perspectives.
Kawaguchi, principal of Shibuya Ward's Rinkawa Elementary School, raised the issue of global warming and a problem unique to the educational field, saying, "At our elementary school, when it's too hot outside and the WGBT (heat index) exceeds 31, outdoor play is canceled. There are days when children can't even go swimming. When this happens, I feel that it's difficult to develop the non-verbal communication that can be achieved through outdoor play."
Yasuda, a professor at the University of Tokyo Graduate School, continued, "Japan's oceans are warming more rapidly than the rest of the world. Looking at 100 years of data on water temperatures off the southern coast of Japan, we see that they have risen by 1.2 degrees Celsius (0.5 degrees Celsius above the global average). Herbivorous fish are increasing, algae are decreasing, and coral is increasing, leading to the tropicalization of Japan's oceans."
Responding to these concerns, Saza Mana explained that much of the marine litter is plastic, including fishing nets, which are dumped into the ocean as litter. She then went on to talk about the efforts being made by Takahashi of Toyota Tsusho, Shino of Patagonia, and Seki of ELLANGE INC.
"Fishing nets made of nylon and polyester are heavy, so once they are washed out at sea they are difficult to retrieve, and they can have a detrimental effect on coral, seaweed, and fish. We contract directly with boats to collect fishing nets that are no longer in use, preventing them from being washed out into the ocean. Fishermen also benefit from us buying items that previously cost money to dispose of, and we are working to ensure the traceability of recycled materials and to invigorate the fishing community." (ELLANGE INC.)・Mr Seki)
"Fishing nets are a resource that is relatively easy to recycle, but due to technical issues, it has not yet become as widespread as PET bottle recycling. Our fabric made from fishing nets is recycled in Taiwan and then developed domestically. Patagonia's down jackets are also made from recycled fishing net fabric. We develop products every day, placing importance on functionality and style as well as the durability required for outdoor wear. Technological innovations are progressing that allow resources that are considered waste, such as fishing nets, to be used as new resources. I think it's important to be imaginative and think about effective uses." (Toyota Tsusho's Takahashi)
"We focus on using the best raw materials, creating the best products, and maximizing the lifespan of our products. When it comes to raw materials in particular, we focus on regenerative agriculture (natural fibers), separating secondary waste (fishing nets, etc.), and social value (fair trade, etc.). Recycled fishing net materials account for 20% of Patagonia's products overall. Our 2025 goals include using 100% desirable materials and eliminating forever chemicals. We are also working to recycle products so that they can be used for as long as possible. We should not forget that the ocean has given us so much, and we want to work to clear each and every marine challenge and work to restore the ocean." (Shino, Patagonia)
It's hard to feel the ocean in everyday life in the city, but when you think about it again, you realize how deeply connected we are to the ocean, from plastic waste to water and food. It also reminded me of how much we depend on the ocean's resources.
If we are unable to maintain the marine environment, a treasure trove of biodiversity, it will have serious effects on the future of the Earth. We need to use our imagination to realize that all ecosystems are connected, and get into the habit of thinking that our everyday actions may also have an impact on the ocean. Such small changes in each of us will lead to the protection of the marine environment.
