The Importance of Understanding History in the Light of Climate Justice 

In his keynote address, Professor Amrith discussed his journey to study the Bay of Bengal and emphasized the significance of historical study in tackling the current climate crisis.

Growing up as a child in Singapore, I became aware of one of the most fundamental dividing lines in our world—between those who can move freely, by choice, and those whose movement is regulated, controlled, and undertaken with few options. It is a question that has stayed with me ever since, and it has motivated a lot of my academic work.

Inspired by the study of global history which explores history cross-cutting nations and regions, my interest, at first, was to trace cultural connections through the movements of people across the Bay of Bengal. Then I started to think about how the monsoon, the characteristic of the climate of the Bay of Bengal, has connected the lands and peoples across the Bay.
I have been inspired by the work of Japanese scholars, who have been at the forefront of thinking in new ways about the interrelationship of human society and the environment.

The Bay of Bengal region matters profoundly for the environmental future of the world. The behavior of the monsoon is undergoing unpredictable, but noticeable change due to the complex causes interacts each other in the Bay of Bengal. It has caused rise of disasters and infectious diseases in coastal countries. To understand the roots of the Bay of Bengal region’s vulnerability to climate change, an understanding of history is essential. Even if the behavior of the monsoon is unprecedented, the political institutions, the social bonds, the cultural ties, with which the people of the Bay of Bengal will confront the future are deeply anchored in the past. The most urgent need of our time is to repair our damaged planet. To do this we need to broaden our sympathies, recognize our kinship, and recover a sense of interdependence between human life and other forms of life. Within the rich archive of the Bay of Bengal’s history, we can find ways of seeing, ways of feeling, that retain that endangered sense of connectedness across both the boundaries of human culture, and across the boundaries between humans and other species. As the Fukuoka prize recognizes the values in Asia’s unique and varied cultures, at a moment of grave risk to our collective future, when the life-support systems of nature are in danger, we need to recover and reimagine that wisdom in all its diversity.

Addressing Issues that Transcend Borders

The interview began with Professor Kanda Sayako, whose academic journey started in Singapore, asking what lessons can be drawn from the history of the Bay of Bengal to address cross-border social, economic, and environmental issues. In response, Professor Amrith noted that port cities in Asia are interconnected through the Bay of Bengal; therefore, the people in this region need to think beyond their national borders and embrace a shared "regional identity." He emphasized the importance of studying the history of neighboring regions in addition to one's own country, highlighting the strong ties that exist among these areas from a young age. The professor suggested that an educational system should be established to foster this kind of learning. 
He also stressed that as we, including the younger generation, reflect on the history of those with multiple identities, we can embrace the openness of the past and work towards reducing the intolerance often prevalent in today's society.
The conversation then shifted to the critical issue of how countries can accommodate individuals forced to relocate due to climate change. Professor Amrith highlighted the necessity of empathy, pointing out that all of us—regardless of whether we live in affluent countries—are affected by climate change. He urged everyone to recognize that we are all living in increasingly vulnerable situations. The professor emphasized the importance of empathizing with those most at risk due to climate change, sharing these risks with others, and understanding the issues clearly to prevent discrimination born from misunderstanding. The call for empathy became a key theme as the lively discussion continued, with Professor Amrith passionately engaging with questions from the audience.