You and I have to live
As if you and I had never heard
of a you and an I.
~Rumi

Lessons from Pom Poko-
Exploring Climate Change, Connection and Community

Dear Subscriber First Name,

This weekend, as I was re-watching Pom Poko, a 1994 Japanese animated film by Studio Ghibli, written and directed by Isao Takahata, it struck me as a poignant allegory for the times we live in —often described as the "polycrisis" and typically defined as overlapping global crises such as climate change, ecological collapse, social inequality, and cultural homogenization. It’s also a good illustration of the important teachings of the UC Climate Resilience course I am part of —teachings of connection to self, to nature and to community as sources of inner strength and outer empowerment.

The film’s narrative, deeply rooted in Japanese folklore, mirrors well the real-world experiences of communities facing existential threats.
Let me first introduce you to the tanuki yōkai—one of the most iconic figures in Japanese folklore.

Tanuki, raccoon dogs, are yōkai—supernatural beings or spirits—known for their playful, mischievous nature and shape-shifting abilities. They embody a deep connection to the natural world, blending animal traits with magical and spiritual qualities. Their magical acts are rooted in centuries-old stories that portray them as forest guardians and tricksters who blur the line between reality and the fantastic. They are still very present in 21st century Japan and I have enjoyed seeing them, often in storefronts or temples.

In Pom Poko, the tanuki face the destruction of their forest due to the rapid urban development of the Tama New Town project, near Tokyo. Their traditional habitat, a symbol of harmonious coexistence with nature, is gradually consumed by human expansion. To resist human encroachment, the tanuki use illusions, transformations, and ancient rituals. As their shape-shifting abilities and communal traditions prove ineffective against bulldozers and bureaucracy, they adopt a range of additional responses to the crisis. Some continue to resist through magical illusions, others through acts of protest. Others seek dialogue or give up and retreat into hidden corners of the city. Ultimately, some choose to assimilate into human society, leaving their former lives behind. Each path is marked by loss and transformation.

From the beginning, the tanuki are portrayed as a tight-knit community sharing food, stories, celebrations, rituals, and magical skills. This collective culture is emphasized through their council joyful gatherings, meetings, training sessions, and coordinated acts of resistance. Their most powerful moments occur when they act in unity—organizing large-scale efforts like the ghostly parade or the illusion of a lush forest. These actions require intense cooperation, planning, and faith.

Pom Poko portrays how communities grapple with displacement, identity erosion, and grief—yet also demonstrate joy and resilience through adaptation, storytelling, and the power of shared action and culture. Collective hope, empowerment, and climate action within our communities are also the teachings of the Climate Resilience course.

I also appreciate the description of the efforts the tanuki make to transform - developing and refining their shape-shifting skills, and how easily they revert back to their “old” ways of being racoon dogs as soon as things become too difficult or when more pressing survival instincts take over such as finding food for Winter or procreating in the Spring. Doesn’t that sound like us too?

In a very realistic way, the movie, like our human lives, is both a tale of defeat and a vehicle of remembrance for the importance of culture, connection and community. If you would like to further dive into the topic, by yourself or with your community, I offer a reflection worksheet below.

Warmly,

Anne-Marie
May 28, 2025 (430.43 ppm of atmospheric CO2, 426.81ppm a year ago, 350 ppm safe level)

PS: I sincerely hope this newsletter will have inspired you to watch (or re-watch) the movie and that you will use the reflection questions. If you do, please let me know your insights.

Reflection Worksheet

✨ Part 1: Culture and Crisis

1. What parts of a culture are hardest to keep during big changes like climate or social crises?

2. How can stories help people survive and stay strong during hard times?

3. Is changing or adapting always a loss, or can it be a new way for a culture to grow?

4. How do you deal with the sadness of losing important places or traditions? What helps you hold on to meaning?

🌳 Part 2: Belonging and Place

1. What places in nature feel like “home” to you, and how would you feel if they were taken away or destroyed?

2. How has your sense of place shaped your identity or your connection to others?

🌍 Part 3: Change and Adaptation

1. When have you had to change something important about yourself or your culture to fit into a new environment?

2. Do you see adaptation as strength, sacrifice, or both? Why?

💼 Part 4: Values and Traditions

1. Which traditions or cultural practices do you most want to preserve in your life, and why?

2. Have you ever had to let go of a tradition or belief? How did that affect you?

🐾 Part 5: Connection to Nature and Myth

1. What responsibilities do you feel toward non-human life (animals, forests, spirits, etc.) in your everyday actions?

2. Do you think folklore or myth can help rebuild a better relationship with nature? Why or why not?

Poem