【Free Admission・July 20】Listen to Researchers' "Real Voices" and Make Environmental Issues Your Own

Climate change, PFAS, water safety—
Would you like to hear about environmental issues you hear in the news, directly from "the researchers themselves"?

The National Institute for Environmental Studies will hold its annual event, the **"Public Symposium 2026,"** which clearly conveys the forefront of environmental research, in person at Tsukuba International Congress Center on Monday, July 20, 2026 (public holiday).

Researchers who face these issues daily in their research sites will discuss the "present" of environmental problems and "our future" in language understandable even without specialized knowledge (free admission, pre-registration required).

The theme is:

"Understanding the Present of Environmental Research by Listening, Changing Our Future by Knowing"

This year's symposium will address topics of high social interest:

How will future heat change school activities and sports?

What can be learned from CO₂ observed in the Tokyo metropolitan area?

How do we confront the "invisible harmful substance" called PFAS?

How is our water protected?

All of these are topics closely connected to daily life.

Researchers × Education Sector: Thinking about "Making Environmental Issues Personal"

In the latter half of the panel discussion,

We will welcome teachers from nearby junior high and high schools,

And discuss with researchers how to understand environmental issues not just as "knowledge"

But to connect them to one's own future.

"How can we convey environmental issues to the next generation?"

This will be a time to think from the perspectives of education and research.

Experience the Research Site Up Close | Poster Presentations Also Held

On the day of the event, researchers will also hold poster presentations at the venue.

Topics include the effects of nanoplastics, decarbonization of concrete,

Youth interest and sense of crisis regarding global warming, climate change and forest changes, etc.

You can deepen your understanding by asking questions directly about familiar and highly relevant research themes.

You can also experience the researchers' thoughts—their "real voices"—on "why they are engaged in that research," not just their research results.

Event Outline

Date: Monday, July 20, 2026 (public holiday) 13:00-16:30

Venue: Tsukuba International Congress Center (2-20-3 Takezono, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture)

Organizer: National Institute for Environmental Studies

Admission: Free (pre-registration required)

👉 Register here

Special website: https://symposium.nies.go.jp/2026

Recommended for:

Those interested in environmental issues but hesitant to take the first step due to perceived difficulty

Those involved in education, research, and administration

Junior high and high school students, university students, and their guardians

Those who want to know the "realities" of research sites

Environmental research is about the future, and it's about our present.

A day to listen directly to researchers' voices and think.
Please come and experience it at the venue.

Contact Information

【Inquiries regarding the event】
National Institute for Environmental Studies Public Symposium 2026 Secretariat
E-mail: koukai2026_jimu (please add "@nies.go.jp" at the end)

【Inquiries regarding media coverage】
National Institute for Environmental Studies Planning Department, Public Relations and Dialogue Office
E-mail: kouhou0 (please add "@nies.go.jp" at the end)