ID180　Tohoku Green Renaissance Projects and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR)

The massive earthquake and tsunamis of 11th March 2011 caused catastrophic damage to our homes in the Tohoku region. Rebuilding society and the economy of this region is a priority for the whole of Japan and of pressing interest to the international community. The area devastated was a harmonious natural mixture of riparian land, forest and ocean, and historically the population of the area has optimized its ecosystem services for their livelihoods. Rapid re-development of this area, without conducting an environmental impact assessment and giving adequate thought to the biodiversity of its rivers, rice paddies and ocean, may not only fail to repair the natural damage, but compound the losses already suffered. For this reason we believe a renaissance, or rebirth, of the area is necessary via “Green Rebuilding” to enrich the ecosystems and nurture biodiversity. In the Tohoku Green Renaissance Project, various participants from academic institutions, companies, citizen’s groups, and administrative organizations have exchanged information and views and have been doing activities including ecosystem monitoring, restoration of rice paddies damaged by the tsunami, support for industry in Urato islands etc., and conduct of a program for Education for Sustainable Development in Kesennuma.

Ecosystems have regulation services such as natural hazard control, erosion control, etc. Recently, Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) and Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Climatic Change (EbA) have drawn attention worldwide. The aim is to use nature’s own ecosystem defenses to protect against future disasters. Eco-DRR and EbA are applicable for many areas in the world, and in general more cost effective and resilient when compared to man-made defenses. They also ensure rich biodiversity and ecosystem services supportive of human life. We urge all stakeholders with an interest in reducing damage caused by natural disasters to consider Eco-DRR as a secure means of protecting the local environment, ecosystem services, and natural resources against future disasters.

ID196 Social progress in the aftermath of a disaster: realizing a cooperative society

I displayed the poster “Social progress in the aftermath of a disaster: realizing a cooperative society” for The UN world conference on disaster risk reduction.

The poster showed two main findings in my study from the theoretical view perspective: (1) A crisis could encourage people to behave cooperatively and help each other, and (2) The easier doing such cooperative behavior is, the more people will do that cooperative behavior. In addition, the poster showed theoretical validity for the findings using data collected from people living in the disaster areas. 100 handout of the poster were published and made ready for free taking.

All handouts were taken away even though the handout was written in a professional format. Besides that, some participants told me that it was really acceptable that people do not help each other unless a serious crisis occurs. Considered such circumstances, a research topic related to cooperative behavior and disaster reduction looks interesting to general public.

In the further study, an additional survey focusing on decision making process for reconstruct plan and/or recovery plan is to be prepared. The survey targets people who need to move to a different area from their home district. Considered that a devastating disaster like Nankai-trough earthquake could hit to western part of Japan, it is necessary to collect findings that can contribute to recovery in short term. We should provide against disaster risk from the view point of social science as well.

ID198 Implementation of Educational Reconstruction Support Project through Industry-University Collaboration: Roles and Accomplishments of the Dust My Broom Project and Recycling Research in Reconstruction Assistance

As part of our laboratory project, we have conducted activities related to the earthquake disaster which occurred in 2011.  These are: “Field survey of stricken vehicles”, “Interview survey and field survey of local governments which suffered damages”, “Program to support disaster recovery education and “Dust my broom project”.

One particular feature of our project was that these activities were conducted from the viewpoint of “waste”.  As a result, it has given strong appeal to visitors and they showed strong interest in our poster.

We were able to reconfirm the significance of the study which we have worked on.  We fully realized the importance of studying each phenomenon in relation to society and sharing research results to the society to equip people with the right information.

This event was very meaningful and we gained valuable experience in the process.  We are confident that our activities under the university-industry collaboration have produced great and positive results.

To achieve the revival of the earthquake stricken area, assistance is indispensable both on the hardware and software aspects.  The former refers to the establishment of infrastructures and the latter deals with personnel education and training.

We think it necessary that we offer support so that our society can raise children who will take care of our future.  To realize it, however, will require time and sustained efforts.

We are determined to continue studying, educating and doing social contribution activities, making use of our valuable study results.

ID301 How did the Great East Japan Earthquake affect marine ecosystems? – The reconstruction of fisheries based on scientific knowledge and local experiences –

TEAMS (Tohoku Ecosystem-Associated Marine Sciences) has surveyed and clarified the effect of the Great East Japan Earthquake on the marine ecosystems and environment and their recovering processes afterward from a scientific point of view. In our poster of this public forum, we showed the content of the survey and how to use of the collected research data for restoration of fisheries.

ID304 Progress report of Long-term Community Child Health Study from Tohoku Medical Megabank Project

Tohoku University, based in this area, strives to contribute to reconstruction efforts in the area in a creative manner. In this context, Tohoku University proposed the Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization (ToMMo).

The ToMMo is performing three health studies of the residents of areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Among the 3 studies, in this public forum, we presented the ToMMo Child Health Study as a poster paper.

In FY2014, we conducted a questionnaire survey from June 2 to June 27 in Miyagi Prefecture. The “Children’s Health Questionnaire” was distributed through public primary and junior high schools to 28,159 children in the second, fourth, and sixth grades of primary school as well as in the second year of junior high school. The children brought home the questionnaire, and 6,451 parents filled out and returned the questionnaire.

As a perspective, for the purpose of improving their health administration, we will provide the aggregate findings from the questionnaire survey.