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necessary to realize a low-carbon, recycling-based society, one in harmony with
nature from a long-term perspective. Toward the creation of a sustainable society, it
is essential to have people who can internalize environmental protection and conservation into today’s society.
It has been recognized that people are a part of nature in Asia. In addition,
environmental ethics and wisdom from traditional philosophies of “Enough is as
good as a feast” have been handed down over the generations. Recently, we have
tended to forget the historical accumulated wisdom, while we put more weight on
economic growth and effi ciency. We have to re-recognize the importance of environmental ethics and wisdom. In addition, leaders with a long-term perspective are
required to achieve a sustainable development in Asia.
2.3.2 Essential Elements of Environmental Leaders
Committee on the Vision for Developing Environmental Leaders in Higher
Education towards Achieving a Sustainable Asia, the Ministry of Environment,
Japan, reported/discussed the key concept/component/element of environmental
leaders. They proposed that environmental leaders are required to have “strong
motivation,” “expertise” and “leadership,” as shown in Fig. 2.8 .
Strong motivation should be based on a clear understanding of the urgency of the
current state of sustainability and action. Willingness to act for environmental protection is expected of environmental leaders. Environmental ethics and the ability to
assess long-term and short-term needs are closely related to the strong motivation
of environmental leaders. At the same time, motivation and willingness should be
supported by the ability to understand the relationships among the environmental,
economic and social dimensions. The value of the environment has not been well
recognized in the current socio-economic system. Therefore, it is necessary to deal
with trade-offs among these three dimensions.
Fig. 2.7 Need of environmental leaders in Asia (http://www.env.go.jp/press/press.php?serial=9516)
T. Akiyama et al.
necessary to realize a low-carbon, recycling-based society, one in harmony with
nature from a long-term perspective. Toward the creation of a sustainable society, it
is essential to have people who can internalize environmental protection and conservation into today’s society.
It has been recognized that people are a part of nature in Asia. In addition,
environmental ethics and wisdom from traditional philosophies of “Enough is as
good as a feast” have been handed down over the generations. Recently, we have
tended to forget the historical accumulated wisdom, while we put more weight on
economic growth and effi ciency. We have to re-recognize the importance of environmental ethics and wisdom. In addition, leaders with a long-term perspective are
required to achieve a sustainable development in Asia.
2.3.2 Essential Elements of Environmental Leaders
Committee on the Vision for Developing Environmental Leaders in Higher
Education towards Achieving a Sustainable Asia, the Ministry of Environment,
Japan, reported/discussed the key concept/component/element of environmental
leaders. They proposed that environmental leaders are required to have “strong
motivation,” “expertise” and “leadership,” as shown in Fig. 2.8 .
Strong motivation should be based on a clear understanding of the urgency of the
current state of sustainability and action. Willingness to act for environmental protection is expected of environmental leaders. Environmental ethics and the ability to
assess long-term and short-term needs are closely related to the strong motivation
of environmental leaders. At the same time, motivation and willingness should be
supported by the ability to understand the relationships among the environmental,
economic and social dimensions. The value of the environment has not been well
recognized in the current socio-economic system. Therefore, it is necessary to deal
with trade-offs among these three dimensions.
Fig. 2.7 Need of environmental leaders in Asia (http://www.env.go.jp/press/press.php?serial=9516)
T. Akiyama et al.