On Tuesday, December 14, Keio University held its traditional Mita Public Speaking Event. For the 710th event, held for the first time in two years, Dr. Hiroyoshi Higuchi, Professor Emeritus at Tokyo University and Visiting Professor at the Keio University Research and Education Center for Natural Sciences, gave a lecture on "The Migration of Birds and the Conservation of the Global Environment." While such events usually take place in the Mita Public Speaking Hall (Mita Enzetsu-kan), this year it was held at the Mita Campus North Hall so as to give utmost precaution against the spread of COVID-19 by allowing for socially-distanced seating.
Dr. Higuchi, a leading expert in ornithology, began with an explanation of how, in recent years, bird migration research has taken flight by using man-made satellites for tracking and how this development came to pass. He proceeded to expound upon the effects that global warming, climate change, and man-made environmental destruction have wrought on the ecosystems of migratory birds around the world, providing examples of the environmental problems that these species face. At the end of his presentation, he expressed hope that the birds which cross borders might encourage people to do the same, stressing that in order to protect the entire ecosystem, it will require not only a regional perspective but a global one.
A lively Q&A session ensued, with Dr. Higuchi giving special attention to every question from the rapt audience, their interest piqued having been exposed to the latest research on migratory birds. For his work moving forward, Dr. Higuchi remarked that he would like to further pursue education, research, and general public awareness.