As I prepare to study international development at the University of Sussex, I see this as not only an opportunity to expand my knowledge but also a call to action. With my background in cross-cultural dialogue and climate-humanitarian studies, I am deeply committed to turning awareness into meaningful change. That is why I want to develop an app—EcoBridge—that empowers students to engage in sustainable travel and living, not only through individual choices but by fostering global connections and local collaboration.
EcoBridge serves three fundamental purposes,
1. Helping international students live sustainably from day one.
Many students arriving in the UK are overwhelmed by practical challenges such as transportation, housing, or grocery shopping. Sustainability often becomes a secondary concern amid these struggles. EcoBridge will provide clear, practical, and location-specific eco-advice in multiple languages, co-created with local environmental groups such as Sussex’s Green Party or Oxfam. This support will help new students make informed, low-impact decisions—from choosing sustainable food options to effective waste sorting and selecting public transport routes that minimize emissions.
2. Rewarding and incentivizing low-carbon travel behavior.
The app will encourage conscious travel by tracking user decisions—promoting ferries over flights, trains over private cars—and awarding points for environmentally friendly choices. These points will be redeemable at partner eco-friendly shops or sustainable ferry services. By establishing partnerships with businesses committed to green innovation, EcoBridge aims to foster a growing “green economy” that connects environmentally aware students with like-minded commerce, creating tangible benefits for users while supporting sustainable enterprises.
3. Creating an inclusive global dialogue between climate-affected communities and student changemakers.
Once a month, EcoBridge will host moderated online forums bringing together students, activists, and citizens from climate-vulnerable regions such as Tuvalu and Southeast Asian countries where I have volunteered. These discussions will focus on critical topics like climate justice, refugee rights, and sustainable development. The outcomes will be translated into youth-driven policy proposals, which will be submitted to NGOs, academic researchers, and UN agencies. I believe this exchange of perspectives is essential for shaping equitable and effective climate policies.
At Sussex, I am committed to joining the Green Party Society and collaborating closely with environmental scholars, tech innovators, and fellow students to develop and improve this app. My experience attending Model United Nations conferences—including this August’s event focused on climate refugees—has strengthened my conviction that diverse voices and lived experiences must shape sustainable solutions.
Upon returning to Japan, I plan to share what I have learned by engaging with universities and high schools, inspiring younger generations to take action. Furthermore, I intend to adapt EcoBridge as a local platform that connects regional communities in Japan, promoting sustainable lifestyles grounded in shared responsibility and cultural exchange. Ultimately, my hope is that this model will spread globally, weaving a network of grassroots climate action rooted in everyday life.
For me, sustainability is not just an academic subject—it is a way of living and leading. I am determined to build, nurture, and share this vision for a better future.
