World Café Dialogue on Climate Change (Dec. 8, 2009)
2010年1月31日(日曜日) 17:39
We have conducted a World Café dialogue on the theme of the climate change on December 9th in Tokyo so as to contribute to the quality of discussions at the COP15 in Copenhagen.
After a briefing on the current state of scientific understanding and international negotiations, the first question was asked: “What questions come to your mind?” For the second and the third round, the question was “What is the fundamental problem if climate change is only a symptom?” After a minute of silence, participants were asked to write down their reflections to be shared with the rest of the world.
Here are some reflections after the conversations:
#1
I had thought the global warming issue in a rather difficult way. In the dialogue with others, however, I was able to think in a more relaxed manner and to share my thoughts and feeling, which was great. Also it was a good experience for me that I was able to consider the issue not just at the personal level like “what I can do” in everyday’s life, but also at the global level. Thank you.
#2
The mitigation of global warming is such a vital issue for all humanity as well as individuals that it is necessary to share the results of climate simulations more and to raise awareness of it. By regarding the earth as a system we all should recognize that human actions are responsible for worsening the safe of the earth. We need to improve the condition of the mother earth to be inherited to future generations by co-existence and co-prosperity without falling to the competition for survival.
#3
How can individuals and groups think, have dialogues, and take actions free from constraints? How can we know ourselves? (What will our abilities and existence lead to?) What can be shapes of life and economy to stay within limits of acceptable level of global warming within today’s capitalism society? Can we suggest scenarios in a concrete way, e.g. what will be impacts upon 100 million Japanese or to a village of 100 people? Global warming is a grand challenge. If we can solve this, our humanity may be able to move out the universe for real.
#4
The dialogue time was too short. I wanted to have the dialogue longer. I host “Eco-Cafés” using the World Cafe method. In the middle of the dialogue today, I noticed I was looking for themes for my Eco-Café. I think dialogue is very important. It is where creations happen. Suggested theme for the future dialogue: What can you do to deal with global warming (or environmental issues)? What can you let go? Thank you very much.
#5
The problem is that “Human is greater than the Earth.” In physical sense, human footprints now surpasses carrying capacity. In our mental model, we believe that the earth is “a part of human systems” though the reality is just the opposite. Then, who am I taking about climate change? How do I connect to this system? What is my lever and potential leverage points?
#6
We should occasionally remind ourselves of the following two undeniable facts.
1. Socially, we depend on all of other people.
2. Physically, we depend on the container called the earth.
(We wound up having incomplete yet enormous power of influence over the earth. Nevertheless we should keep it in our mind that it also doesn’t change the fact No. 2.)
#7
I thought that now is the time for us to create some shared vision of happiness for human-being which is good for the earth, too.
#8
Feel it, not think about it. We got oversized heads and forgot using our five senses. We cannot really "FEEL" anything about the global warming. I wonder how Bushman or the Inuit feels about the global warming. We may not be able to change ourselves until we really get bitten. "Change" might start only when the situations got worse enough to reach the point of no return. Then maybe, the earth will direct its own changes leaving us behind.
#9
It is more important that individuals and small communities initiate awareness and actions on the issue of global warming in collaboration than just expecting countries to do something about it. I know this kind of movements have already begun in different parts of the world and I am a part of it. Scientifically speaking, the real race may be against the ticking clock. However, I still want to trust the power of human being to move things in the right direction.
#10
All the matters come from unlimited desire of human. Is there any climate simulator without using Mercator grid? How can we continue our life style pleasantly and comfortably even if climate change issues can't be solved fundamentally?
#11
The problems are 1) we can't find the linkage among problems (or don't we try to find?) and 2) we don't recognize that we are a part of the system.
#12
I think we must change our sense of value like our life style which we feel important and pleasure. I feel that we can't reach a circulating society without changing our life style for living with nature ideally like Aynu - an indigenous people of North Japan -, Ryukyuan - an indigenous people of
#13
* Let children join the table. (to avoid confining discussions into adult’s point of view.)
* The issue of global warming is the first global and common crisis faced by the human as a whole. It would be a breakthrough if we could get over it. Even if we wouldn’t, and be doomed, the processes of our engagement would be valuable.
* Dialogues pulled out unexpected awareness. It also makes me happy that we can share this with the world.
* I found it is interesting to have dialogue on the social issue because we tend to pick topics of organizations, learning, and efficiency in the World Cafe.
#14
(1) Literally, we are eating the earth. And we are a part of the earth. So, we are eating ourselves or may be our offspring.
(2) I wish that there would be only one God, or a person we trust, and that everybody honors the God. I cannot trust any leaders.
(3) I am afraid that they represent interests of particular groups.
Rather than being surrounded by man-made architectures, I would like to recover sensitivity that allows us to hear the voice of the nature. However, the best I can do is to sustain myself today.
(4) “The Dialogues that includes all people on the earth”
Languages and time zones …
Looking from the universe, we are one unit. However, from where I stand, it looks too big to realize that kind of dialogue.
(5) If all people on the earth can Feel even one part of the earth, we would not need words to connect each other.. We can be very closer if each one of us connect with the earth.
#15
We cannot get present to the issue because of the limits of human capacity. Can the System Thinking turn this around so that it will be recognizable?
#16
I'd like to take some specific measures in a direction to stopping the global warming. Although this issue is resulted from our receiving the benefit of civilization, we may be in the now-or-never opportunity to rethink alternatives. Since representatives of so many countries have gathered and discussed global warming, I think that is a step forward. I feel power in having people going hand in hand together, not thinking about this issue alone.
#17
Regaining the sense of "I" that is a part of the Earth The unconditional respect of nature. We don't live, but are kept alive because of the bounty of the Earth. People should regain such susceptibility and realize a society which values that as an important characteristic. I want to become one of these people. I think providing more of the threatening data that instigate fear will only result in contributing to more of the temporary expedients. And I believe it's important to keep making an effort to change our behavior.
#18
Once again, I recognized what a difficult problem it was. I live a rich and convenient life in
#19
When I got down to the core of the issue, I felt that there were some defects in our attitudes and/or mental models that each one of us used to interact with our exterior such as other people and nature. I found myself increasingly directing away from taking specific actions. I am really worried if we can find the leverage point and if it can lead us to take real actions.
#20
I thought that a time has come for us to create and share new values in the world. I think we need to construct a new mechanism to reappraise value of money. Let’s have a slow life.
#21
It was interesting to see how naturally people became sociable in the dialogue. It seems to me that views and ideas shared in the dialogue have something in common in the background. I felt consciousness or good intensions in all people there. I would like to bring forth some actions from these good intentions rather than to keep them just as feelings, so that we can make the world a better place. Many thanks