The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
The Untold Story of Water and Forests -Society and Innovation in the Era of Climate Change-
IHI Corporation
As a result of human economic activities since the Industrial Revolution, the destruction of the global environment has progressed, and problems such as global warming, intensification of disasters, and depletion of water resources are becoming more serious. In order to create a society in which nature and technology are in harmony, it is particularly necessary to take an integrated approach to solving decarbonization and water problems (shortages/disasters) together, and we aim to make people aware of the importance of these efforts through talk sessions, and to take them home and connect them to activities involving a wide variety of stakeholders.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- Climate change
- Freshwater resources
- Nature Positive
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
-
Agenda2025
Participation Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
-
2025.09.20[Sat]
14:30 ～ 15:50
(Venue Open 14:00)
-
- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.
Experts from industry, government, and academia with diverse backgrounds will be invited to hold 80-minute talk sessions on topics such as water, forests, weather, disasters, and planetary health. The topics of the talk session are expected to discuss the future and impact of climate change, the Anthropocene (the impact of human activities on nature), the significance of forest and water restoration, and technical measures (importance of measurement, data integration) to realize it based on evidence. Through discussions, we will let people know about the possibility of an integrated approach to decarbonization and solving water problems, and we will use this as a place to arouse interest in decarbonization and water issues.
Reports
【Reflection】
This program focused on the lesser-known relationship between water and forests, deepening discussions from technological, economic, and educational perspectives toward climate change mitigation and adaptation.
＜Theme 1＞What are the global challenges surrounding water and forests?
While water often seems abundant in daily life, the session highlighted the severe global water scarcity crisis. It addressed “hidden water” like water vapor and groundwater, and “hidden forests” with functions like disaster prevention and groundwater recharge. It demonstrated how visualization technologies for water and forests can lead to a renewed recognition of the value of natural capital.
＜Theme 2＞What Can Be Done Now, and What Is Needed Next?
Through case studies like flood simulations and drone measurements, discussions centered on how to link natural capital visualization to concrete countermeasures and conservation. The necessity of considering finance and cultural value was also emphasized.
＜Theme 3＞ The Future We Should Aim For and Concrete Actions
The importance of integrated prediction and management technologies using diverse data was highlighted, along with the evaluation of multifaceted natural capital values such as water source conservation, disaster prevention, and CO2 absorption. Furthermore, the importance of consensus building among stakeholders, financial mechanisms, and decision-making that considers synergies and trade-offs was emphasized.
＜Summary＞
1. Visualization technologies for water and forests lead to renewed recognition of nature's value
2. Socioeconomic activities incorporating natural capital are required
3. An integrated approach encompassing both visible and invisible values is necessary
Addressing climate change necessitates collaboration among diverse stakeholders, considering synergies and trade-offs from technological, economic, and educational perspectives.
Finally, we emphasized the importance of “Think globally for earth, Act locally by people with together!”—thinking on a global scale while taking action locally. Water and forest issues are challenges relevant both globally and locally. We hope this program will heighten your interest and serve as a catalyst for action.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
To achieve Nature Positive, the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of natural capital—the foundation of socio-economic activities—are essential. Nature is the root of human activity, and it is vital to protect natural capital such as water and forests while supporting the livelihoods of those involved.
Furthermore, we must aim for sustainable development by integrating natural capital into socio-economic activities.
Through this program, we will continue to actively disseminate information to facilitate gatherings and deepen discussions among diverse stakeholders, thereby advancing the realization of “socioeconomic activities that incorporate natural capital.”
Cast
Moderator
Satoru Demoto
Aunia Inc. - Certified Weather Forecaster
Earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Tokyo, researching climate change. Worked on strategic planning for advanced technologies including AI at consulting firms PwC and Arthur D. Little. Served as CSO (Chief Strategy Officer) at AI startup Araya, responsible for management and business development. As a co-founder of Gaia Vision, led the business and product development of climate change risk analysis and real-time flood forecasting solutions. Known as the former record holder for Japan's youngest certified weather forecaster.
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Speakers
Misa Kemmiya
GREEN×EXPO Assosiaction Executive Director for Sustainability Management
Kemmiya Misa is Executive Director for Sustainability Management of Green X Expo 2027, which will be held in Yokohama by the Government of Japan. She was seconded from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in April 2025 after stablishing sustainability management in JICA, engaging in climate change, biodiversity and human security. Previously, she worked in JICA Kenya and Philippines offices, as well as Department of Public Relations, Dept. of Global Environment etc. in Tokyo.
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Soichi Ueda
General incorporated association Think the Earth
Graduated from the Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo. After working for an advertising agency, established Think the Earth. Since then, he has been creating opportunities for people to think about the environment and society and take action through communication. Major works include “Earth Watch wn-1,” the books “One Hundred Years of Idiocy,” “Global Change in One Second,” “Goals to Change the Future: SDGs Idea Book,” “The blue ocean of a blue planet,” and many others.
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Masanori Onishi
DeepForest Technologies Co., Ltd.
CEO of DeepForest Technologies.
Also serves as a postdoctoral researcher in forest science at Kyoto University.
Self-taught in programming, he has developed AI-based forest analysis technologies, including tree species classification and carbon stock estimation using drone data.
At his company, he provides forest analysis software, conducts forest measurement and carbon credit generation, and is dedicated to forest conservation.
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Yuki Kita
Gaia Vision Inc.
Ph.D in Environmental Studies in 2020 after conducting research on explosive cyclones and ocean waves, and founded Gaia Vision in September 2021 after working at MS&AD InterRisk Research Institute, Inc. He also concurrently works on climate change and flood risk as a specially appointed researcher at the University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science. He also involves himself for the analysis of large-scale climate big data and the development of GIS systems.
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Yoshihisa Yamanouchi
IHI Corporation
In 1998, YAMANOUCHI entered in IHI Corporation, Corporate R&D. He joined various industrial machinery & production system development as mechanical engineer and project manager.
2011-14, he assigned as IHI Asia Pacific region’s technical attaché (R&D GM) to promote several R&D projects with Singapore governmental agencies.
From 2022, As a Program Director of "Integrated Social Solution" to manage technology development for Climate Change Adaptation.
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The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
The Untold Story of Water and Forests -Society and Innovation in the Era of Climate Change-
As a result of human economic activities since the Industrial Revolution, the destruction of the global environment has progressed, and problems such as global warming, intensification of disasters, and depletion of water resources are becoming more serious. In order to create a society in which nature and technology are in harmony, it is particularly necessary to take an integrated approach to solving decarbonization and water problems (shortages/disasters) together, and we aim to make people aware of the importance of these efforts through talk sessions, and to take them home and connect them to activities involving a wide variety of stakeholders.
-
2025.09.20[Sat]
14:30～15:50
(Venue Open 14:00)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
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The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
