SDGs Field Study: Alaska （NJE3）was held.
August 11 – August 22, 2024, at the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a total of 11 students, including 3 faculty members and 8 graduate students
SDGs Field study: Arctic Exercise: Environment and Society on the Atmosphere, Oceans, and Land in the Arctic Region(NJE3) was held.
Prof. Hajo Eicken and Dr. Iwahana of the International Arctic Research Center (IARC) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks coordinated the field trip to the Poker Flat Research Range. We were able to examine how permafrost thawing changes forest ecosystems and had a unique Alaskan experience, including an explanation of the excavation of permafrost layers.
Professor Emeritus Shunichi Akasofu of the University of Alaska Fairbanks gave a valuable lecture on global warming and the Northern Lights.
At the Denali Chino Nature Center, we chopped firewood in the great outdoors and took a bath in a drum spread out on a grassy field, an experience we could not have had in Japan.
At the Chena Indian Village, we learned about the history of the indigenous people and had a student presentation.
We were able to deepen our understanding of the Arctic environment, including the atmosphere, oceans, land surfaces, and ecosystems, life and society in the arctic region, and the society of ethnic minorities, and work cooperatively with members from different fields and cultural backgrounds to discover and solve problems.
With the support of many local staff and students, it was a wonderful practical training experience.
