Nowadays, the world's attention is focused on environmental issues.Speaking of environmental problems, you may think that it is somewhat a scientific field.However, it is human beings and society that protects and destroys the environment.In order to create a sustainable society, thinking about environmental problems has become a major social issue.
Faculty Introduction: Knowledge of sociology is also important when considering concrete measures against climate change
・Prof. Koichi Hikita, Department of Data Science
Specializes in environmental engineering.He is well versed in a wide range of fields, from environmental issues to analysis of local industries.
You can think about the economic effect of the region together when you hold an event to revitalize the town.
・Mr. Takashi Namiki, Department of Sociology
Specializes in cultural anthropology.
Three years of fieldwork in Papua New Guinea.A true field worker.
Currently, I am also working hard with my students on urban development in Kobe.
As climate change progresses, it is said that catastrophic catastrophes will become more frequent.First of all, look at the upper part of graph XNUMX quoted.America's past100The amount of damage caused by hurricanes in the year.In recent years, it has increased explosively.
On the other hand, the lower graph is an estimate of the damage amount if a hurricane of the same scale were to occur today.The image will change.
It doesn't look like there's been a noticeable increase recently.
You can see that the damage is happening every few years.
In order to expand the residential area due to the increase in population, the "dangerous zone", which was originally uninhabited due to frequent floods, was intentionally developed for housing.Further economic development1People1Assets held by people are also increasing.
As a result, even if a "disaster of the same scale" occurs, the amount of damage will increase explosively.The typhoon damage in Japan, such as the recent landslide on the Izu Peninsula, has the same structure.
Even if it is a natural disaster, the damage will change according to the change of "society".
There are differences between societies as to what constitutes damage.Most recently, Japan must prepare for the Nankai Trough earthquake.
Thoroughly implement disaster prevention measures in the event of a disaster.Prepare a hazard map and do not live in a place where disasters are likely to occur in the first place.Such damage can be mitigated through social measures such as
Don't panic, just follow the natural flow of replacement over several decades.
Now for the next challenge.It is being considered to make crops that are friendly to the natural environment.
Pesticides are one of the causes of environmental pollution.Everyone thinks they should just stop using it.
It won't be easy.If you don't use pesticides, you will be damaged by pests, and you will have to remove weeds by hand.It is said that post-harvest damage caused by pests, pests, and molds accounts for 3% of the harvested crop.
In other words, without pesticides, the price of vegetables would be much higher than they are now.Even if the wealthy people are fine, the poor people will not be able to buy vegetables.
A reduced intake of vegetables leads to a lack of fiber, which cleans the digestive system, and a significant increase in cancer of the digestive system.
From the point of view of the entire "society", including the distribution system and the gap between rich and poor, rather than "individuals", pesticide-free cultivation does not simply lead to health.
Since plants cannot escape on their own feet, they naturally store toxins to protect themselves from predators.These are called “natural pesticides”.Figure XNUMX shows the carcinogenic risks of such natural pesticides and artificially synthesized pesticides, arranged in descending order of intake.
The poisons inherent in plants are far more influential than pesticides!It is surprisingly difficult to consider the relationship between valuing the natural environment and society.
Of course, artificial pesticides also pose risks to health and the environment.However, we must calmly compare it with other health risks and the benefits that many people can eat vegetables due to pesticides.Comparing and choosing the best is the only way to solve the problem.The image of pesticides may not be good, but it is important to look at any problem not from subjective "images" but from objective and comparable "data".
"Cool your head with the earth" from Softbank Creative
In Figure 12000The damage seems to increase with age.However, as shown in Figure 2, the graph changes greatly when the damage amount is converted according to the times.
"Do not fan the environmental crisis" from Bungeishunju
Does not using pesticides have a positive impact on health and the natural environment?Looking at the data, there are cases where it is better to use pesticides depending on the case.
Let's think about SDGs together
XNUMX.How can we maintain a balance between the natural environment and economic activity?
XNUMX.Let's collect and compare "data" related to the natural environment
XNUMX.Let's think about disaster prevention community development for the Nankai Trough earthquake
