Dr. Mikami:
Let's get into a discussion. First, we would like to discuss the waste issue. Participants actually went to the Kuzuoka Incineration Plant yesterday. The number of wastes could be, I should say, decreasing to a certain point if everyone made an effort. So now, talk about the efforts we could possibly make. Does anybody have any ideas regarding this matter? Can anybody comment on that?
Participant:
I think we each should know how our daily activities affect our environment.
Participant:
Talking about incineration, I think we should consider about the issue of dioxin. In my understanding, it is difficult for dioxin to be chemically broken down and it would be accumulated at the higher level. Although it is said that dioxin doesn't cause serious problems, I am afraid that it might be sort of dangerous in a decade or two. In my presentation, I insisted that we should be more conscious about the environmental issues. I think all we do now is incineration. But I doubt how much we really know about dioxin. I am wondering if we are safe due to the fact that only people in the incineration center told us that it was safe.
Participant:
In my opinion, I think it is very important for us to reduce the amount of wastes. I watched a TV program, which showed that people in France do not use any shopping bags because they bring baskets from their home. They can put the products directly into the baskets.
Dr. Mikami:
So there are many ways we can make efforts and we could effectively control such kinds of Eco-activities by law. But on the other hand, is it possible to do things in terms of education? May I have your reactions?
Participant:
F
irst of all, we should do our best in teaching students what is wrong or bad behavior for our environment and then, if they cannot understand it, we could establish some legal regulations or taxation.
Participant:
It is important to think of environmental issues personally, ethically. However I think it is also necessary that we implement legal regulations because I understand that the environmental pollution from enterprises or factories has been improved by being regulated by law.
Participant:
How can we be kind to our environment? I think to behave kindly to our environment is the same as we behave to people. I mean, we can't be kind to people whom we don't like. So we at first should come to like earth, nature and understand our surrounding environment.
Dr. Mikami:
Would anybody like to be a kindergarten teacher or elementary school teacher? On that basis, do you feel that environmental education should be implemented from an early age as training? Anybody, please raise your hands.
Participant:
When we created a miniature city as a workshop, children easily accepted our suggestion of creating an "Eco-city". If they have such experience from early age, they will not reject or hesitate to do so. And, related to the opinion that we protect our nature because we like it, I think we would have opportunities to come to like nature because there is neighboring nature. I think it's important for children to be surrounded by nature from an early age; it will bring children opportunities to consider nature and they'll be interested in environmental issues naturally. In addition, they will be more conscious of the environment. Therefore, I believe it's important to start the education when they are young.
Participant:
During the workshop, I wondered if we were kind of forcing children to do things we wanted by advising and supporting them. Instead of that, I think we need to think together with children. It's not only for environmental matter, though.
Participant:
We tend to imagine "school education" when we think of environmental education. However I think that "environmental education" means the way we raise our environmental awareness in the whole society.
Participant:
I suppose because we had a tour of environmental related places and facilities yesterday, we can have such an animated discussion today. So, I think it is important to provide such kinds of opportunities not only to young people but adult also adults.
Dr. Mikami :
Well, finally, by way of conclusion, I'd like to have your brief comments on what you think you should be the most conscious about in terms of environmental education as you look towards the future.
Participant:
I think we should eliminate our stereotypes and look at environmental issues from a different angle.
Participant:
It is important that we raise the environmental awareness of not only developed countries but also developing countries.
Participant:
We should start by making people aware of the wastes and stench created by the Minami-Gamo-Sewage Treatment Plant and the Kuzuoka Incineration Center that we visited yesterday.
Participant:
I think we should teach as many people as we can about our beautiful nature and show the dark side of the results of our human activities. Then, we teach what we can do and what we cannot do now. And, I would like to teach it from different perspectives.
Dr. Koganezawa :
As long as we human beings exist, environmental problems will continue to exist and be produced. Yesterday we came to the conclusion that for the ultimate protection of nature, humans should not exist. This is an extreme idea though. However, we will go on living. So, we should consider how we live rather than thinking of the various aspects of our life. Thank you.
Dr. Mikami :
Relating to his conclusion, there was a TV program which ended with elementary school students saying that because human beings exist, nature is being destroyed. I think environmental education that denies the existence of ourselves is counterproductive. I sincerely hope environmental education will promote making our environment better by living or existing in this society. Thank you very much.
English Interpretation