EVENTS

Japanese

Print

Tokyo College Event: “On the Uses of the Concept of Transition”

February 25, 2026

Details

Type Lecture
Intended for General public / Enrolled students / Applying students / International students / Alumni / Companies / High school students / Technical college students / University students / Academic and Administrative Staff
Date(s) March 25, 2026 14:00 — 15:00
Location Online
Venue Zoom Webinar
Entrance Fee No charge
Registration Method Advance registration required
Zoom Webinar
Registration Period February 17, 2026 — March 25, 2026
Contact [email protected]

Tokyo College collects personal information in order to provide you with the event URL and information about our current and future activities. Your personal information will not be disclosed to any third parties.

Abstract

The concept of transition, derived from the Latin transire, meaning “to change state,” has been employed across a wide range of fields since the nineteenth century. In contemporary discourse, it is most often associated with climate change and the notion of an “energy transition.” This lecture introduces the concept of power transition – understood as energy flow over time – to account for the rapid acceleration of eco-social change since the mid-twentieth century. It examines the unprecedented challenge of voluntarily moving away from highly powerful fossil fuels. Moving beyond purely techno-solutionist approaches, the seminar emphasizes the central role of social and human innovation. Adapting to renewable and fluctuating energy sources will require a profound rethinking of lifestyles, drawing inspiration from the long-term resilience of living organisms.

Program

Lecturer
Catherine VILLARD (Invited Professor, Tokyo College, The University of Tokyo; CNRS & Université Paris Cité)

Commentator
MUKOYAMA Naosuke (Associate Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo)

Moderator
SHIMAZU Naoko (Deputy Director, Tokyo College, The University of Tokyo)
Access Map
Close
Kashiwa Campus
Close
Hongo Campus
Close
Komaba Campus
Close