The 13th Nichi-Doku Joint Lecture on “Canaries and Machines: Security in Collieries, Cities, and the Atmosphere“ by Assoc Prof. Setoguchi (1/17･Heidelberg)

On January 17th the Kyoto University European Center held the 13th Nichi-Doku Joint Lecture themed “Canaries and Machines: Security in Collieries, Cities, and the Atmosphere” given by Dr. Akihisa Setoguchi (Institute for Research in Humanities, Kyoto University).

Dr. Denis Pöhler gave a supplemental commentary by presenting his research at the Institute of Environmental Physics (Heidelberg University). Many students from humanities and social science, as well as Heidelberg citizens, were present.

To illustrate the evolution of atmospheric monitoring methods Dr. Setoguchi used a variety of source material like Yamamoto Sakubeis depictions of mining and newspaper articles about the Mitsui Miike Coal Mine disaster in 1963. He showed how the usage of animals (Canaries, etc.) underground was superseded by chemical and mechanical devices which found their way into everyday life above ground to prevent disasters like gas explosions.

Dr. Pöhler started his commentary by explaining the influence of (exhaustion) gasses on the human organism. He commenced by presenting his NOx measurement technology developed at the Institute of Environmental Physics (ICAD).

The discussion with the audience centred on solutions of environmental problems by collaboration: starting on a personal level between researchers in humanities and environmental engineers to a global level by exchanging data within Asia to build a wide-ranging monitoring system.

After the lecture participants joined the 9th Kyoto University Stammtisch, were professors, Japanese exchange students and German students got together in a relaxed atmosphere.

Further information on the lecture and the program can be found here.