How one IBMer is creating a more sustainable future on the island he grew up on

IBM believes in the power of technology and innovation to drive climate solutions, especially for the communities and organizations most affected by climate change and environmental challenges. At the heart of this work is a commitment to volunteerism that allows inspired IBMers to combine their talents and skills with passion and purpose.

Through the IBM Sustainability Accelerator, a free social impact program, IBM volunteers donate their time, energy and expertise to help make a lasting impact in communities around the world. And Takahito Motonaga is one of the IBMers making a difference in the community where he grew up: Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan.

Learn about five IBMer volunteers who are tackling climate change.

Making a difference in remote communities

Miyakojima City is located on the Miyako Islands, southwest of Okinawa, Japan, far from the mainland. In October 2022, this remote community became the focus of an IBM Sustainability Accelerator clean energy project to address the complex energy challenges it faces.

Communities rely on external sources for most of their energy supplies, which can increase costs for residents. Additionally, Miyakojima is an area where strong typhoons occur directly every year. These extreme and unpredictable weather events can disrupt the island’s utility infrastructure, resulting in power outages, financial impacts and property damage.

Takahito Motonaga, an IBM employee who was born and raised on Miyako Island, has lived in Miyakojima City for 18 years. Takahito vividly remembers the typhoon that affected his childhood.

He said, “When I was in elementary school, I experienced a power outage for about a week due to a major typhoon.” “Strong winds knocked down electric poles, trees and parked cars all over the island. Power was not supplied to various facilities, and supplies from outside the island were cut off, making it impossible to purchase food. There was no electricity or gas at home, so I spent about a week lighting candles and taking cold showers. “As I experienced the inconvenience of living without things I normally took for granted, I realized that our lives depend greatly on energy and infrastructure.”

Therefore, Takahito focuses on how he can help solve similar problems. “This may be influenced by my island upbringing,” he says. “I want to contribute to solving these problems in the community through my work.”

Takahito is an IT specialist at IBM Systems Engineering, primarily responsible for web application design and development. He joined IBM in 2015. He currently serves as the team leader for the IBM Sustainability Accelerator’s clean energy project in Miyakojima City, where the team is working to develop an energy prediction model. The model aims to improve community self-sufficiency in clean, renewable energy.

“My role is to bring together individuals with diverse expertise from IBM’s Technology, Consulting, Systems Engineering, and Digital Services divisions to form teams, set goals, and lead the teams,” says Takahito. “I believed I would have a unique opportunity to utilize the IT skills I gained through my work and address challenges in the community where I was born and raised. “I felt this was a great mission for me to fulfill.”

Opportunity to Participate

IBM Sustainability Accelerator allows Takahito to work closely with the communities where he grew up, leveraging local perspectives to strengthen his team’s approach to projects. The Miyakojima Island project team frequently interacts with local stakeholders who, like Takahito, have a deep understanding of the energy issues facing the island.

“Sustainability issues are often complex and driven by many different factors,” he says. But, he says, “I remember the importance of understanding different aspects of a field and considering the heart of the problem.” Collaborating with colleagues, local citizens and government officials around the world is a valuable opportunity for IBMer volunteers to hone their cultural and market understanding skills, deepen their social engagement and advance their careers.

Discussing the highlights of the Miyakojima Island project so far, Takahito said, “I realized that among IBM employees, there are many highly motivated people who actively participate and voluntarily participate in volunteer activities to solve social problems. It was a great pleasure to work as a team with them.

“Many members are voluntarily identifying necessary tasks and taking active action, such as thinking about what to do to solve energy problems and what they can do using their expertise. Many of them are very ambitious and have high aspirations to work on the island. Being able to work with such motivated and talented people is my favorite part of this project.”

Part of a lasting legacy

At IBM, volunteering and giving are core values. IBM currently has a goal of providing 4 million volunteer hours by 2025, and through the Sustainability Accelerator, IBM continues to provide opportunities for passionate employees to engage with their communities and pursue their passion and purpose. I’m proud to have done it.

“I think it is socially meaningful for a large company with a long history like IBM to volunteer through programs like the Sustainability Accelerator,” said Takahito. Because this allows us to help people who really need help,” says Takahito. “These efforts contribute to the safety and development of society, strengthen ties with the community, and allow employees participating in the program to grow, which is very valuable. “It is important that we continue to pursue these efforts in a society where sustainability perspectives are also becoming increasingly important.”

Like many IBMer volunteers, Takahito encourages his colleagues to get involved. “IBM Sustainability Accelerator is an activity that allows you to use your skills and experience to solve local problems and contribute to society. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with employees with diverse knowledge and skills from other departments within the company and gain a broader perspective on social issues,” he says.

IBM Volunteers are invited to join the next cohort of the IBM Sustainability Accelerator under a new RFP to be released in 2024.

Learn more about IBM Sustainability Accelerator and partner with us.