The family of environmentalist and eco-engineer in training, James “Weston” Higginbotham will gather with friends, classmates, and supporters on June 17 in Birmingham, Alabama, to celebrate the life of the Auburn University student whose death in a Kyoto forest in Japan touched people around the world. The sad event, with his cause of death undisclosed, has brought some light into the world. Auburn University, where he studied, announced an ecological engineering scholarship in Higginbotham’s name.
Over the past week, Green Prophet has followed the story of Weston Higginbotham, a 20-year-old biosystems engineering student at Auburn University whose disappearance in the mountains near Kyoto, Japan, led to an international search effort and an outpouring of support from family, friends, and the environmental community. We identified with some of the rumors – that he suffered from climate anxiety, something that is troubling for anyone studying environmental issues in the Western world.
Our coverage began after Weston went missing during a family trip to Japan. Following days of searching, his body was discovered in a forested area outside Kyoto. Japanese authorities stated that foul play is not suspected. The family has chosen not to publicly release the cause of death.
Green Prophet examined why Weston’s story resonated so strongly with readers. A passionate environmentalist, vegan, athlete, and adventurer, he represented a generation of young people committed to solving environmental challenges through science, engineering, and service. He was also against his mother using AI to plan their Kyoto trip. We also explored broader conversations surrounding youth environmental engagement, climate anxiety, and the importance of hope-driven sustainability education by promoting skills, DIY culture and circular economy building and craft.
Most recently, we reported on the creation of the James “Weston” Higginbotham Endowed Scholarship at Auburn University. Established in his memory, the scholarship will support students pursuing ecological engineering and sustainability-focused studies, helping continue the work Weston cared so deeply about.
According to his obituary, Weston was active in Auburn’s climbing team, triathlon team, Engineers Without Borders, and numerous sustainability initiatives. He had planned to travel to Bolivia later this year to help oversee a village water distribution project. His family described him as someone who felt most grounded in nature and who approached life with curiosity, kindness, and a deep sense of purpose.
Funeral Arrangements for James “Weston” Higginbotham
Visitation will take place on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 6690 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, Alabama. A funeral service will follow from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. A graveside service will then be held from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the James “Weston” Higginbotham Endowed Scholarship Fund for Ecological Engineering at Auburn University. The link is here.
