As a SOAS Economics and Japanese student, I have always been deeply concerned with environmental sustainability and green growth initiatives. My initial conclusion was simple: travel and economic growth pollute, inevitably harming the environment. Stopping altogether seemed to be the only solution—or so I thought, before expanding my knowledge and gaining cross-cultural insights, paradoxically, through travel itself.
While crossing borders, I packed mindfully to reduce overconsumption before studying Business at a Singapore Summer School. To ensure a low-emission transit for my upcoming year abroad in Japan, I plan to choose a direct flight on a fuel-efficient aircraft to avoid the carbon-heavy takeoff penalty of layovers. I am immersing myself in distinct cultures and legal frameworks that address environmental issues comprehensively, exemplifying strategies that I believe should be adopted globally under the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Why not take “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” to a spiritual level?
Preparing to live in Japan introduced me to a unique combination of legally enforced recycling laws and deep-rooted internal beliefs. I embraced Mottainai—a philosophy expressing regret over waste—and Kintsugi, the art of repairing broken pottery with gold. This Japanese wisdom of respecting the life cycle of objects inspired me to practise mindful consumption, which I plan to incorporate by sourcing second-hand furniture and living necessities via regional circular economy platforms like Jimoty (jmty.jp) and Mercari (jp.mercari.com) during my exchange programme. I will also track eco-certified domestic travel through the Japan Ecotourism Society (ecotourism.gr.jp) network. To me, these are beautiful, spiritually grounded ways of caring for the environment by recognising nature as our true home.
Can urbanisation be eco-friendly?
Singapore, where I currently study, offers a powerful blueprint and deeper insights that I am eager to promote. Despite being Asia’s financial hub, Singapore maintains robust commitments under the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the Paris Agreement, overseen by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (mse.gov.sg). Its iconic biophilic architecture and skyrise greenery physically bring nature back into the city, advancing SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and reminding us that humans are an intrinsic part of the ecosystem. To minimise my own impact in this transit-forward city, I rely on the official MyTransport.SG (lta.gov.sg) app to navigate the low-emission public transport system exclusively, while engaging with GreenUP (spgroup.com.sg) to track my daily sustainable habits. This immersion draws future career inspiration for eco-friendly business models, which I believe should be the foundation for green growth.
Isn’t it our shared home?
Through travelling and studying, I have expanded my views, adapted new habits, and embraced a philosophy of co-existing in harmony with nature. Ultimately, I realise that environmental issues know no borders. Therefore, I also plan to incorporate ecotourism principles, as outlined by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (gstc.org/ecotourism), during my travels to minimise emissions and prevent disruption to local ecosystems. I believe that intentional travel, mutual cross-cultural learning, and the active promotion of green initiatives are how we find balance and ensure a sustainable future for our shared home—Earth.
