Japan experienced an unprecedented heatwave this summer, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest summer since record-keeping began in 1898. This extreme weather, coupled with increasingly severe natural disasters like typhoons, is a stark reminder of the growing climate crisis. Rising sea temperatures are a key contributor to these events, highlighting the urgent need to address climate change.
The consequences of climate change extend far beyond extreme temperatures and weather patterns. They directly impact our daily lives, from the food we eat to the cultural practices we cherish. Unpredictable weather conditions threaten annual crop harvests, while overfishing and rising sea temperatures disrupt marine ecosystems, significantly impacting the fishing industry.
This alarming reality compels us to consider our role in driving climate change through our everyday consumption choices. The ‘For the Earth, For Myself’ pop-up event on September 29th in Tokyo challenges the notion that sustainable living requires sacrifice. It celebrates a lifestyle brimming with joy and abundance, emphasizing the power of individual choices in shaping a better future.
The event offers a vibrant marketplace featuring locally-sourced vegetables, ethically-made clothing, and delicious food made with ingredients that promote soil regeneration and combat climate change. Engaging talks focusing on the connection between climate change and food systems, as well as exploring Indigenous perspectives on the relationship between humanity and the planet, provide valuable insights and inspiration.
This event, timed to coincide with the UN Future Summit, taking place in the United States from September 22nd to 23rd, serves as a powerful platform for dialogue about the future of our planet. It invites participants to engage in a global conversation about climate change and its implications, even from the heart of Tokyo.
With a diverse group of speakers including artist Komi-i, filmmaker and cultural anthropologist Mitsuumi Ota, CIMI Restaurant, artist and activist Mutsumi Kurobe, and the Sakumag collective, the event promises to be a thought-provoking and inspiring experience. The participants share their perspectives on how to connect climate action with our daily lives.
Komi-i, who will be speaking at the event, invites those who are feeling anxious about the future to attend, stating, “If you are feeling anxious about the future, please come.” Ota emphasizes the interconnectedness of global issues, noting, “The environment I live in is connected to all the challenges facing our planet.” CIMI Restaurant, a restaurant project based on regenerative concepts, highlights the importance of viewing the Earth as a single garden, stating, “We who cook consider this Earth to be one garden. It is a place where all life is born.”
Kurobe, an activist, emphasizes the need for individual action to translate into collective change, saying, “I hope that the desire to ‘change our choices’ doesn’t end with individuals.” Lastly, Maira Tsuboi, a makeup artist and member of the Sakumag collective, encourages us to expand our vision beyond our immediate surroundings and imagine a brighter future, saying, “This summer has been extremely hot. Instead of just surviving the summer, we want to enjoy it more. To do that, we need to think together about this planet we live on. Climate change doesn’t wait. We need to think about how we can create a future where we can continue to enjoy cherry blossoms in the spring, and where beaches and islands aren’t threatened by rising sea levels. When facing big problems like climate change, we might feel like we are just one small individual. But when we come together, small circles grow into larger ones.”
The ‘For the Earth, For Myself’ pop-up event offers a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, explore sustainable practices, and contribute to a brighter future for both ourselves and the planet. Join us on September 29th at BONUS TRACK in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, and be part of the change.
