Experience creative company "Afro&Co., Inc." (hereinafter Afro&Co.), which operates under the slogan "More excitement in the world," has newly produced and publicly released a "Biodiversity Training Video (Basic Edition)" starring their affiliated environmental entertainer "WoW Lemur" and supervised by ecologist Koichi Goka. By registering as a friend on the newly established official WoW Lemur LINE account, users can watch the video for free and obtain a download URL for use in internal training and other purposes. We aim to improve biodiversity literacy throughout society by encouraging its use in various organizations such as corporations, local governments, and educational institutions. In conjunction with this initiative, we will also strengthen our consultation services for the planning and production of a "Fully Customized Biodiversity Training Video," which has already achieved increased participation and awareness transformation at Nitto Corporation (hereinafter Nitto).

Background and Purpose of Free Release: Breaking Through Societal "Indifference" with the Power of Entertainment

In recent years, with the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), the "30by30" target to conserve 30% of land and sea by 2030 has been internationally agreed upon. Corporations are now required to address biodiversity as a management responsibility, including disclosing nature-related information (TNFD) and participating in conservation activities. However, "biodiversity" is a broad concept, and currently, it is often perceived by many as "a difficult topic unrelated to me."

Therefore, WoW Lemur, who advocates "Saving the planet with entertainment!" and Afro&Co., under the supervision of leading ecologist Professor Koichi Goka, have produced a training video that allows viewers to learn the basics of biodiversity and why various stakeholders need to conserve it in a fun and positive way. We hope to attract the interest of society as a whole and provide an "opportunity to learn" by allowing companies, organizations, and educational institutions to freely utilize this video.

Content and Viewing Method of "Biodiversity Training Video (Free Public Edition)"

The video features WoW Lemur explaining at a brisk pace the "ecosystem services (blessings of nature)" provided by biodiversity, the factors threatening it such as climate change and environmental pollution, and the actions we should take.

How to Access: Register as a friend on the newly established "WoW Lemur Official LINE Account (https://lin.ee/TZzuGH4)" and you will automatically receive a free viewing URL and a download URL.

Official LINE Account Registration Link: https://lin.ee/TZzuGH4

Adopted by Nitto! Information on the "Fully Customized Edition" Training Video

In addition to the free public edition (basic version), Afro&Co. offers planning and production services for a "fully customized edition" of training videos that incorporate the challenges faced by companies and organizations and their actual environmental conservation activities into the story.

In a case implemented during Nitto's company-wide environmental awareness event "Environment Week," a completely tailor-made video (Environmental Impact Prediction Training: EYT) was produced, incorporating the company's initiatives (such as invasive species removal in Lake Biwa and rodent control using kestrels).

Results at Nitto

Participant numbers increased approximately fourfold compared to the previous year: Approximately 8,800 people participated across the group.

Overwhelming comprehension: 96% of employees who watched the video responded that it was "easy to understand."

Global Expansion: In addition to Japanese, it was translated and distributed in a total of six languages, including English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese, contributing to increased participation and awareness at overseas sites.

Deep Awareness Shift towards "Personalization": The survey received numerous comments such as "I keenly felt that humans are both beneficiaries and perpetrators of harm," and "I want to think about actions I can take," creating an opportunity for a shift from passive learning to "proactive behavioral change."

A Message from Professor Koichi Goka

The conservation of biodiversity is now considered the most critical environmental issue for governments, corporations, and citizens alike. In policy, corporate activities, and even individual actions, we are entering an era that demands a "positive effect on biodiversity," or "nature positivity." On the other hand, due to factors such as resource supply shortages and rising prices associated with unstable international affairs, a sentiment of "not being able to afford to worry about environmental issues" is spreading, and biodiversity conservation goals are facing a crisis. However, maintaining and managing biodiversity, an irreplaceable resource, holds the key to realizing resilient, autonomous, and sustainable companies and societies, even in the face of such economic fluctuations. I sincerely hope that the basics and essence of biodiversity will reach many people through this training video.

Updating Corporate Training with "Entertainment x Education"

For companies struggling with how to convey the necessity of SDGs and biodiversity conservation, or those whose training has become a mere formality with low employee engagement, please feel free to consult with us. With WoW Lemur's professional skills of "calculated composition," "positive tone," and "overwhelming articulation," we will transform environmental education, which tends to be driven by a sense of crisis or obligation, into an "entertaining experience that can be enjoyed live."

We support the improvement of employees' internal motivation and the first step towards behavioral change by not only providing basic knowledge but also by touching upon the specific achievements of each company's activities.

Reference Information

Koichi Goka Profile

Ph.D. in Agriculture from Kyoto University. Specializes in conservation ecology, pesticide science, and acarology. While working at the National Institute for Environmental Studies, he has explored the relationship between biodiversity and human society and sustainability through various ecological risk studies, including the control of invasive species such as the red imported fire ant, risk management of pesticides like neonicotinoids, and measures against zoonotic infectious diseases including COVID-19. His books include "Biodiversity as Told by Stag Beetles" (Shueisha) and "Introduction to Biology for Surviving the Coming Era" (Tatsumi Publishing). He serves on numerous government and local authority policy committees and as an adjunct lecturer at universities, while also actively engaging in the dissemination and promotion of environmental science through media such as television and newspapers.

WoW Lemur Profile

An environmental entertainer who creates "opportunities to learn" with an impactful visual motif of the endangered ring-tailed lemur and a lighthearted talk, under the theme "Saving the planet with entertainment!" He delivers themes such as environmental issues and biodiversity as content that everyone can enjoy, and has achieved numerous collaborations with the Ministry of the Environment, government agencies, and corporations. He is active in a wide range of fields, including organizing experiential events and publishing the book "Extinction Experience Restaurant."

Official LINE: https://lin.ee/TZzuGH4

Official Website: https://www.wows.tokyo/

Afro&Co., Inc.

An experience creative company founded by creator "Afro-man-so" with the slogan "More excitement in the world." With innovative ideas and detailed experience design, they continuously launch highly talked-about projects and entertain a wide range of audiences through their own content and collaborations with companies and government agencies.

Official Website: https://afroand.co/

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 企業発表