TEACHER'S COLUMN

Recently, there has been a growing interest in unique regional tourism styles, such as eco-tourism and green tourism, which are environmentally friendly and bring people in touch with nature. One of the reasons for this is the problem of environmental destruction caused by plastics. Plastic waste threatens the lives of living organisms, and even some species are losing their biodiversity. The problem extends up the food chain, and there is concern that it may be hazardous to human health. Nevertheless, plastic and vinyl materials are used in many aspects and applications of human life, and it is difficult to drastically reduce their use.

In order to solve this problem, we must create a variety of innovative ideas, including the establishment of a circular economy. In the College of Asia Pacific Studies, students can learn how to create a system that leads to sustainable tourism while taking advantage of nature and the local environment, not only through on-campus classes but also through fieldwork in cooperation with local communities and NPOs.

The SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) will be achieved by 2030. This is precisely the time when your generation will begin to contribute to society after graduating from university. We hope that you will take up issues that transcend national borders at APU, where you can enjoy a stimulating learning experience similar to that of studying abroad.