The Future of Communities Living with Nature

The Noto region in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, has been designated as a GIAHS (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems) site by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN. UNU-IAS OUIK has implemented various projects in this area; however, the region was severely affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in January 2024 and by torrential rain nine months later. In collaboration with Professor Yanai of Ishikawa Prefectural University, the author conducted research on the use of wells during the water outage period on Notojima Island and showed how they were utilized during the prolonged emergency period. In addition, the increasing frequency of record-breaking rainfall events highlights the need to consider water management measures at the watershed scale.