News & Information

In autumn 2008, Shimizu announced the concept of a Green Float environmental island of the future. Following a request from the nonprofit organization Chikyu Club Network 2000 for Shimizu's views on how to aid Pacific islands, Shimizu organized the New Float Island Symposium in conjunction with other sponsors.

Guests at the symposium included President Anote Tong of Kiribati and his wife; Prime Minister Edward Natapei of Vanuatu and his wife; and Secretary of the Department of Resources & Development Peter Christian of the Federated States of Micronesia, all visiting Japan for the Fifth Japan-Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Summit Meeting (Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, or PALM).

The symposium began with Shimizu President Miyamoto, who represented the symposium organizers, issuing a call for action. "To fight global warming, it is essential that all of us work together toward the same goal, across national and organizational boundaries. The time to take action is now." In his greeting to attendees, President Miyamoto added the following plea: "We must act to protect and restore the environment based on our own ideas and technologies, establishing shared goals in partnership with Chikyu Club Network 2000 and the Department of Oceanic Architecture and Engineering of the Nihon University College of Science and Technology. We have the power to accomplish our goals."

The symposium also featured presentations on Shimizu's Green Float future concept and the Farm Float 2015 concept envisioned by Chikyu Club Network 2000, an environmental nonprofit that has been active in many fields.

The Green Float concept envisions an artificial circular island 3,000 meters in diameter that floats on the sea near the equator. This island supports a 1,000-meter tower combining various facilities, including residential space, commercial space, and vegetation factories. Departing significantly from traditional concepts of the city, this concept emerged from studies of ideal living environments that place no burden on the Earth's environment, achieving a plant-like harmony with the environment. The goal is to make the Green Float a reality by 2025 by integrating state-of-the-art environmental protection technologies across a wide range of fields. These include technologies that achieve zero carbon-dioxide emissions through use of natural energy such as space-based solar power; complete waste recycling; and use of structural materials containing ingredients such as magnesium obtained from seawater.

Also involving a structure floating on the sea, the Farm Float 2015 concept envisions the construction of a highly energy efficient resort island that takes the ecosystem into account. This concept was developed in response to fears expressed by Kiribati children at the Spaceship Earth Children's Summit (organized by Chikyu Club Network 2000 in 2001) that their home island would disappear under the sea.

"Climate change represents a grave threat to the continued existence of the people of Kiribati," noted President Tong of Kiribati, the symposium's main guest, in his keynote lecture. "All the people and nations of the world must begin discussions that lead to decisive action to resolve this threat."

In response to these remarks, the panel discussion featured a debate on the feasibility of a solution based on the floating island concept. Symposium attendees exchanged views on issues such as the technological feasibility of the concept, economic and social issues, and the need to take into account the environment of the Pacific islands and the lifestyles of indigenous peoples.

"Although the land of our nation is disappearing into the sea, I find myself filled with great hope," said President Tong at the conclusion of these talks. He also issued the following Tokyo Declaration: "The people of the world must live their lives in consideration of the possibility that their actions may threaten the survival of others."

Transcending national borders and organizational structures, the symposium was planned and implemented by organizations and individuals driven by a common purpose, despite some differences in approaches and methods. Progress in this area will remain a central theme in Shimizu's environmental and social-contribution activities, as we seek to expand awareness and bring people to action.