Of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, I have been personally confronted by the urgency of two in particular: Goal 7, “Affordable and Clean Energy,” and Goal 13, “Climate Action”.
This spring, I travelled alone to Fukushima Prefecture, an area that captured the world’s attention following the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent nuclear accident. Fourteen years later, the scars of the disaster remain raw. As the bus I was on drew closer to the affected coastal towns, I saw roads barricaded off—gateways to areas still designated as exclusion zones. I learned that thousands of people are still displaced, unable to return to their hometowns. Nuclear power was once seen as a clean energy source, but witnessing the grim reality in Fukushima was a powerful reminder of how challenging it is to achieve Goal 7.
My commitment was further solidified during a volunteer trip to India with the student organisation AIESEC. While trekking in the Himalayas, I saw how glaciers had retreated, exposing the bare, black rock of the mountainside. Locals told me of dwindling snowfall in recent years and a devastating glacial lake outburst flood that had claimed many lives. It was a visceral lesson on the frightening reality of climate change.
This September, I will begin my exchange year at Durham University. From Japan, I have decided to bring one special item: a “yutampo”. A yutampo is a traditional Japanese hot-water bottle, used not for drinking, but for warmth. By filling it with hot water and placing it in my bed, I can stay warm and sleep soundly through the cold winter nights. It is an eco-friendly piece of Japanese wisdom, reducing the need for central heating.
The scale of the global challenges addressed by the SDGs can feel overwhelming, and it’s easy to wonder where to even begin. However, I believe that alongside grand goals, true change starts with tangible actions in our daily lives. The yutampo is my personal commitment to this philosophy. It’s a connection to my childhood—my mother prepared one for me every winter night. By bringing this simple tool and the stories of my experiences to Durham, I will not only brave the winter sustainably but also hope to inspire my new friends to find their own creative ways to contribute to a healthier planet.
