Environmental Activity Interviews

Name

Kazuaki Teshim

-The book on acid rain that changed his life

One book on acid rain got Kazuaki interested in environmental issues. He took this book in his hand in his fifth grade year during a class, and upon learning about issues concerning the environment for the first time, he was drawn by it ever so deeply. It is no exaggeration to say that the encounter with this book changed his life. One could say Kazuaki had been involved in environmental activities even before this book. Since his school district promoted cleanup activities among students, he and his friends had picked up trash voluntarily when they could. However it was when he encountered this book that his interest in environmental activities blew up.

-His wish to convey to the participants of the Summit the charm of his hometown, Toyohashi He read in Toyohashi City Bulletin (Koho Toyohashi) the notice mentioning they were looking for participants for the Summit.

Already interested in acid rain, and having the desire to eventually take part in environmental activities, he sent in his application right away. Interestingly the site for the Summit, Toyohashi city, was the birth place of the zero waste movement. Kazuaki, a chosen Junior Board member, decided he wanted to inform the participants of this fact. In Toyohashi Toyogawa River streams beautifully, approximately 250 moorland vegetation grow wild in Imou Swamp, and marine turtles visit Omotehama Coast to lay eggs. There is so much charm to this city the visitors would enjoy learning of, thought Kazuaki. In fact, he talked of the appeal of the city at the opening ceremony and made efforts to do the same with the new friends he made at the Summit.

-The difficulty of English and the sense of accomplishment at the closing ceremony

In hindsight, Kazuaki said running the Summit was a very tough job. He confided that chat meetings over the net which connected members from all over the globe come back to memory. Due to time differences, many meetings had to be held around midnight. Despite the fact that Kazuaki had no problems carrying out daily conversation in English, creating the Aichi Declaration, the most essential element of the Summit, required outstanding English skills. Thus, when being asked how he feels now about the Summit, he says it was the closing ceremony in which he read the declaration on stage that he remembers with the fondest of memories. "Since I struggled with the English when creating the declaration, there was a true sense of accomplishment. I really enjoyed it despite the hardship." It seems the hardship he went through granted him a greater sense of success at the end. He also told us with a smile that he "felt the mind to protect the nature is the same regardless of one's country and religion."

-Participation at the Summit introduced him to a new theme

Until the Summit, acid rain was the most important theme in Kazuaki's activities. After the Summit, however, he realized there were other themes he was interested in. "I still think the problem of acid rain is an important one. But heavily discussed issues at the Summit such as water pollution and global warming, related to the problem of acid rain themselves, seem equally important now." He told us his feelings toward the environment only grew stronger at the Summit. He has a stronger urge now to inform many others of the current state of the environment and hope many more would be able to take part in environmental activities. Meeting participants from around the world seems to have been a good inspiration for him.

-He plans to aggressively appeal to others about the environment

At the Summit, Kazuaki learned of the many efforts made by the participants from around the globe. Upon returning from the Summit, he took part in the Peace Talk Marathon in order to broaden his horizon, and expressed his thoughts concerning the environment. He made an appeal for the protection of the environment during his report on the Summit at the eco partnership of the EXPO 2005. His friend, whom he invited to the JUNEC forum, is growing more interest in the environment, too. Kazuaki is eager to continue his efforts after entering high school. His first step would be to become a member of the student council and to convey his message concerning the environment to all students of his school. His other dream is to take part in the Youth Summit. Although the holding of the summit is still an idea at this stage, he is resolved to help it form into a reality. His feelings toward environmental activities only continue to grow.

-His future dream - to become a UNEP staff member

Kazuaki talks of getting a job in the field of environment when he grows up. "To tell the truth, I don't know for sure what job I will be best suited for. But if possible, I would like to be a staff member for UNEP. I need to work hard to make this come true though," he confided. We asked if he had any messages concerning the environment. "Although it is up to each individual to make efforts so that the whole world works on the environment, I feel the importance of holding discussion meetings with a selected leader at the center. Having a declaration and following through with it seems to be necessary to make a change in the world," Kazuaki said firmly with his eyes set on the future of the earth.

-An Interview with Kazuaki Teshima's homeroom teacher, Mr. Masahiko Suzuki * Participating in the Summit helped Kazuaki nurture positive thinking

In Mr. Suzuki's eyes, Kazuaki is no different from the other junior high school students he knows. Although he is actively involved in impressive activities, he doesn't seem to talk a lot about them at school. Even when he was given the chance to meet Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, he didn't even mention it at school and carried on as he usually did. However, Mr. Suzuki observes a change in Kazuaki after the Summit. "He seems more eager to let others know of his thoughts toward the environment. He wants to join the student council after entering high school so he could actively disseminate his message to others," says Mr. Suzuki with a broad smile. Being interested in the environment himself, he seems very pleased to have a student like Kazuaki.

-He became interested in the local environment due to Mr. Suzuki's advice

When asked what he had done to coach Kazuaki on the environment, he stressed that Kazuaki took it up on his own without much guidance. But he later shared with us an anecdote. "Since Kazuaki is still young, there are many things he has yet to learn. For instance, he didn't know that cars were not allowed on the Omotehama Coast in order to protect the marine turtles. So I advised him to learn more about the local environment. I felt his speeches would probably bare more weight and reality at the United Nations if he knew of the environmental issues in his local region." It seems little words of advice such as this one is helping Kazuaki grow.

-  I want them to become adults who are able to think about the important issues

Mr. Suzuki's wishes children will grow up with the ability to think about important issues. He wants them to think of ways for people, as well as animals and ultimately the earth herself, to live in happiness. He seems to think it is especially important for children, with their supple minds, to contemplate this matter. "I feel the Summit provided the children from all walks of life a great opportunity to exchange their thoughts on the environment. It is wonderful that children had a chance to discuss these issues all on their own."