18 March 2025, Kobe, Japan – The Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) hosted a forum titled “The Future of Climate Change and the Marine Environment – Towards Sustainable Oceans” as an endorsed event of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (UNDOS). The event was held with support from the Hyogo Prefectural Government, the Hyogo Environmental Advancement Association and the International Center for Environmental Management of Enclosed Coastal Seas (EMECS).
The forum was conducted in a hybrid format at the International Health Development Center, Kobe City, with simultaneous interpretation in Japanese and English. One hundred and seventy-three participants joined from Japan and overseas (29 on-site, 144 online).
APN Deputy Director, Dr Shibuya, formally opening the forumIn the opening remarks, Dr Hiroaki Shibuya, Deputy Director of APN, emphasised the need to find solutions that generate synergistic benefits in addressing complex environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and marine plastic pollution. He stressed the importance of evidence-based, strategic and practical approaches, as well as cross-disciplinary collaboration and engagement with local communities. “I hope today’s forum will inspire each participant to deepen their understanding of environmental issues and take meaningful action,” he stated.
Session 1: Keynote lecture
Professor Yusuke Uchiyama of the Department of Civil Engineering, Kobe University, delivered a keynote lecture titled “Current Status of Marine Environmental Issues and Strategic Approach by Digital Twin.”
In the first half, Professor Uchiyama provided an accessible overview of key marine environmental challenges, such as sea level rise, ocean acidification, marine plastic pollution and ecosystem degradation caused by ocean warming, including coral bleaching.
In the second half, he introduced the concept of the “Digital Twin,” a simulation tool that reproduces ocean currents and pollutant transport in a 3D virtual environment, enabling research and forecasting under real-world conditions. This technology integrates numerical modelling with actual observation data to improve accuracy.
Professor Uchiyama presented several case studies of applying digital twin technology to ocean issues: simulating microplastic transport in Hiroshima Bay, modelling the spread of eelgrass seeds in the Seto Inland Sea, and predicting the dispersion of treated water from sewage plants. He also introduced a low-carbon shipping simulation that optimises shipping routes by aligning them with ocean currents while avoiding typhoons, reducing fuel consumption. These examples highlighted the broad applicability of digital twin technology not only for restoring marine environments but also for solving diverse societal challenges.
Session 2: International research presentations
Dr Susanne M. Brander, Associate Professor at Oregon State University, presented findings from a long-term plastic pollution monitoring project in the North Pacific, in which she participated as a member of a research group within the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES).
Dr Brander, Associate Professor at Oregon State University, talks about the long-term plastic pollution monitoring projectShe noted that plastic waste is rapidly increasing worldwide and the North Pacific, particularly the so-called “garbage patch,” is among the most heavily impacted regions. Long-term monitoring has revealed that many marine organisms – including shellfish, sea turtles, anchovies and albatross – have ingested microplastics. She further reported that baleen whales ingest significantly more plastic from their prey than from seawater. Microplastics and fibres have also been detected in the viscera and the edible muscle tissue of commercially important fish species, raising concerns for both ecosystems and humans.
Dr Brander introduced the “Global Plastic Ingestion Bioindicators (GPIB)” project, launched in 2023 in collaboration with researchers worldwide. The project aims to develop and implement standardised monitoring programmes based on selected indicator species. She emphasised plans to expand the global research network and promote data sharing via an open portal. She concluded that such efforts contribute not only to SDG 14 (Life Below Water) but also to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), underscoring the importance of robust international partnerships in realising a sustainable future.
Dr Amanda Ford, Senior Lecturer in Marine Science at the University of the South Pacific, delivered a lecture titled “Assessing Microplastic Contamination in Fish and Local Perceptions of Plastic Pollution in the Pacific Island Region.”
Dr Ford, Senior Lecturer in Marine Science at the University of the South Pacific, discusses the preliminary results of the microplastic pollution surveyDr Ford presented the outcomes of a microplastic pollution survey under the CRRP2022-05MY-Ford project supported by APN in four Pacific Island countries: Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. The study revealed significant national differences in microplastic levels in coastal fish, with Fiji showing the highest levels of contamination.
The data also indicated that factors such as habitat zone, feeding depth (surface or bottom), and feeding behaviour (e.g., suction feeding) influence microplastic ingestion, with carnivorous and suction-feeding fish exhibiting higher concentrations. Key pollution sources were identified as discarded waste, wastewater and fishing gear.
Interviews with fishers and community members in each country revealed a strong awareness of plastic pollution and its impacts, but a limited understanding of microplastics specifically. Interviews also revealed that communities identified the need for improved waste management systems, including the relocation of waste collection sites away from coastal areas under municipal responsibility. Dr Ford emphasised the importance of integrating scientific data with Indigenous knowledge and highlighted the need to raise public awareness and strengthen education on microplastic pollution.
Q&A session
The Q&A session that followed featured lively engagement from participants and is summarised as follows:
- UNEP Global Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations:
Dr Brander explained that she serves on the steering committee of the Scientists Coalition for the UNEP Global Plastic Pollution Treaty and is contributing scientific advice for the second part of the fifth session of intergovernmental negotiations scheduled for August 2025. She emphasised that plastic pollution cannot be solved by the efforts of a single country alone but requires global cooperation. She noted that the main focus must be on reducing plastic at the source because it is extremely difficult to recover once it enters the ocean. Approximately 170 countries are involved in negotiations for the global treaty. - Long-term Monitoring and Policy Impact:
Dr Brander noted that standardising and visualising long-term monitoring data can provide scientific evidence for policymaking. She expressed hope to expand the North Pacific initiative globally through data sharing and international cooperation. - AI in Marine Digital Twins:
Professor Uchiyama explained that AI already enhances data analysis and simulation capabilities, primarily through neural networks that can extract insights from limited data. AI is also useful for image-based identification of microplastics and plankton, and in ocean and weather forecasting. Its further development is highly anticipated. - Perception Gap between Science and Communities:
Dr Ford acknowledged that while local communities recognise the impacts of plastic pollution in daily life, gaps remain in understanding the scientific impacts of microplastics in the Pacific region. She stressed that long-term community-engaged monitoring is vital to bridge this gap and enhance public awareness.
Closing remarks
In the closing address, Dr Shibuya reflected on the insights gained from the day’s presentations: the strategic use of simulation technology for ocean restoration (Prof. Uchiyama), the impact of microplastics on the food chain and monitoring strategies (Dr Brander), and the importance of community-based scientific research (Dr Ford). He concluded by encouraging participants to apply the knowledge gained through the forum in their activities and research, contributing to tangible actions for a more sustainable society.
APN will continue collaborating with Hyogo Prefecture and relevant organisations to promote public awareness of climate change issues. The next forum, which will be held on Sunday, 28 September 2025, as part of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, will focus on Satoyama as a model of regional ecological symbiosis.
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