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2007年06月29日

Having Good Day?

Writer: 細島 史郎  (Shiro Hosojima)

自分のすんでいる町がきたない。
ゴミ拾いをしたいのだが、一人では心細い。。。。

そんな貴方に、お勧めの団体があります。

GOOD DAY.
http://goodday2u.org/

Good Day代表 荒昌史からGOOD DAYの紹介(Good DayのHPから)

地球温暖化、大気汚染、酸性雨、砂漠化などの環境問題。
身近なところだと、ゴミ問題や資源の無駄使い。きっと誰もが良くないことと知っているし、このままでいいとは思っていない。

けれど、ゴミを出す分、ゴミを拾う人って果たしているのだろうか。人ひとり当たりの資源を消費する量と資源を生産する量ってどっちが多いだろうか。

もし、普通に生活しているだけで、地球に良くないことをしてしまっているのなら、せめて少しくらいは地球や自分の身の回りのためになることしなくちゃならない。

こんな想いを行動に移せる人がたくさんいたら、きっと問題は改善していくはず。そういう゛仲間゛を一人でも多くつくるために、゛Good Day゛はあります。

ゆくゆくは社会貢献という言葉が人々の生活に根付き、「貢献」なんて言葉じゃなくて、それが生活の一部として当たり前になればいいなと思っています。

特別なことができるとは思っていませんが、一人でも多くの人に、明るく楽しく地球に優しいことをしていってもらえるよう、゛Good Day゛は活動していきます。

生まれたてですが、どうぞ宜しくお願いします。


・荒リーダーのサステナビリティとは?
・Mr.Ara, leader from Good Day talks about his "sustainability"

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Once or twice a month, on the weekend I become "scavenger (trash picker)"in crowded city of Tokyo. Seems like you need a courage to pick up trash in such a crowded city . But actually, picking up in trash in Tokyo can be "fun". How?

I became friend with Ara-kun fews year ago at net impact meeting in Tokyo. We have exchanged words and found that he is a founder of NGO called Good Day.

So, what's unique about Goodday?

Project "Ebiska" (Scavenge Ebisu area)
There are about 15-20 people participanting in this trash picking event, and most participants are meeting for the first time. We simply scavenge around one to two hours in distance of 2-3mile from Ebisu train station. This event is great place to meet people with similar commons, easy to get along ,and able to pick up trash in very relaxed fashion.

After the trash hours, Good Day service a workshop for participants. The theme of workshop varies, but it mainly focuses on sustainable topics in Japan to global level.
I strongly recommend visitors outside of Japan willing to do some green activities while their stay .

GOOD DAY.
http://goodday2u.org/

投稿者 econetworks : 17:51 | コメント (0) | トラックバック

2007年06月25日

Choice is Yours?

Writer/Interviewer: 細島 史郎  (Shiro Hosojima)

学生時代には、よーく学生運動をよくしておりました。大学内の学費問題や、キャンパス・ポリティックス問題などに関して疑問をもった仲間同士と昼から夜にかけ、キャンパス内をラリーしたり、ビルの前に座わったりし、仲間と正当性を求め、叫んでいました。

日本に帰国し、日本の政治に関してまったく知識がなく、「これではいけない」と思いをもち、雑誌や知人の話などを通しすこしづつ理解できるようになりました。 政治を知ると言うことは、生活の上、生きる為の選択の重みを理解することができる。一人ひとりの価値観が将来の日本に影響できる場所はやはり、「選挙」ではないのでしょうか?

今の日本の若者達は政治に対して「魅力」を感じていない人が多いと思います。 自分好みの政治家もいるはず、その政治家を探し出し、応援するすばらしさを感じてください! 行動力をもっと若者にもってもらいたいですね。 

きっかけは、 
菊池さん、そして多くの若者が参加しているグリーンボートの活動をチェックしてみては?

私もメンバーとして参加しています。皆さん暖かく、熱い人たちばかり!
http://www.green-vote.org/

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●I have asked Mr. Kikuchi, a Leader of Green Vote about "What is sustainability to you?"

●グリーンボート代表菊池さんの”サステナビリティとは?”

GV22.JPG
GV & Forestration Talk Session@Uplink
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In my college days, I was somewhat active in school politics. We would sit out or rally around with cards flashing, singing in out of tunes, do anything to resemble ourselves to gain justice by voicing out for our rights. From political activities, I was able to attain information that was hidden behind the curtain. I realized that if I want to approach and grab onto brighter future, I must know and act for my choices.

Now, I am environmental consultant in Japan, with lack of knowledge in Japanese politics. Big, Big problem, because I have no clue which party I will be dropping ballot for. Compared to US and international countries, Japanese politics has small fans. Due to this unpopularity, annual voting rate is very low especially in young age. Why? I would have to say that people in young generation has no interest in political issues, seems like it does not matter to them at all・・・・where is Japan heading to?

From this concern, we must upraise young generation to become fully engaged in politics. Future relies on you, and you need to make your future by making your ballot! My friend Tatsunori “Bob” Kikuchi has organized NGO called Green Vote Project. I am also staff member of this project and hoping to spread word out to foreign countries about giant political hype in future of Japan!

about Green Vote↓
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Green Vote Project:
Our perspectives and goal
The notion of “Sustainable Development” has turned 20 years old, since when it was first proposed at the “World Commission on Environment and Development” in 1987. However, when we take a look around ourselves and the world, with ongoing issues such as Global Warming and waste problems, can we confidently, from the bottom of our heart say that the environment has improved?

Local municipality election which is held once in every four years is coming up this year. As the phrase “Think Globally, Act Locally” indicates, not only should we focus on global environmental issues, but also on political issues whereby our voices could be heard through election. We truly believe that making our own choice is indispensable for creating our own future.

Activities of Green Vote Project

Interview
There are politicians who are concerned about environmental issues, but their opinions and approaches are often not conveyed to voters. The Green Vote Project will periodically interview politicians with green minds and deliver valuable information to the public (voters). Let us know if any politicians (or anyone running for the election) in Japan is willing to share their thoughts on the “environment” to the public (voters).

Messages from Voters
What mechanisms are necessary for Japanese society to attain sustainable goal? How is Japan viewed from international countries? What choices and activities are there to attain promising future for the next generation? Let us deliver voters’ thoughts and ideas.

Photo/Signature Campaign
“We want politicians to take environmental issues more seriously!”, “I have messages to politicians!” These thoughts on environmental issues from voters would be compiled and delivered to politicians as “photo signatures”. Please join us in engaging politically in a delightful manner with positive determination for a promising future.
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http://www.green-vote.org/
(in Japanese)

投稿者 econetworks : 16:45 | コメント (0) | トラックバック

2007年06月18日

What kind of wheels do you have?

Writer: 細島 史郎  (Shiro Hosojima)

京都議定書以来、自動車業界はCO2の排出量の成長にかんして、かなり攻撃されています。ハイブリッド車が売れているのはうれしいが、ハイブリッド車が売れすぎると、世の中、車ばかり増えるだけ。最終的には温暖化貢献になってしまう恐れがあります。他の選択ってあります?
オランダ、アムステルダム市やドイツ、フライベイグなど、町を綺麗にする意識が高いところは積極的に自転車を使用し、「エコ・ライフスタイルこそ理想的な生活なんだぞ!」と習慣の一部とし、エコ・コミットメントしているのがすばらしとおもいます。

いきなり、東京に「ほら、東京もエコに!」って若者に伝えてもちょっと限度が。。。。。。

理想的な:
かっこいい=>やりたい、ほしい=>行動=>え、これってエコだったの?

のつながりを作るには、エコでかっこいい事、物を発明しないと!
最近、個人的にエコでかっこいいなーと思う活動、物を紹介します。

1. ピストバイク (物、活動(ムーブメント)競輪の自転車、町中でクルーズしてみたくないですか? あぶないですよ?でもしっかり練習し、固定ギア、バイクについて勉強すれば大丈夫でしょう!ピストバイクとは、サンフランシスコの貧乏メッセンジャー達がだした貧乏アイディア。ギアが多い自転車は壊れやすいし、お金がかかる。というアイディアから、壊れにくい固定ギア自転車を乗るようになりました。これが、今サンフランシスコからニューヨーク、そして今日本でも若者に人気中!「やってみたい」「たのしそう」「かっこいい」この3つの言葉に弱い今現代の若者達にピストバイクの人気はとまりません。数年後の若者達は4つめの「エコ」という言葉に弱くなればよいですね!

MASH サンフランシスコ:http://www.mashsf.com/


もう、10代の若者ではないのですが、スケートボードを週末やっています。スケートボードから色々な出会いや学ぶ事ができました。「楽しい」という純粋な気持ちから、いまやこのスポーツにどうにか貢献できないかと考えております。 そこで、サンフランシスコにあるサステナブル・スケートボード・デッキ会社を紹介いたします。


2.コメットスケート・スケートボーディング

コメット社の板はサステナブルに収穫された竹、毒を一切含まない製品、そして製品をつくりあげる為の電力はグリーン電力(ソーラー電力)。コメット社はオークランド市のまずいしい環境で育つ子供たちにスケートパークを構成したり、イベントをとおしスケートのすばらしさを伝えているのです。
ローカル面なサポートを積極的に励んでいるコメット社。 まさしく、Think Globally,Act Locallyですよね!是非、こんどサンフランシスコに尋ねた上、
コメット社とお話できることが出来るといいですねー!


みなさんが思うサステナブル・モービルってなんですか?

コメットスケートボードhttp://www.cometskateboards.com/factory/
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(Rtokyo-boulder-newyorkさんのroad Bike@ New York)

s31.JPG (my skateboard at Tatebayashi Museum)

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Since Kyoto Protocol, CO2 distribution from Automobile is resembled as a"reason of global warming effect" . By trial and error from new innovation and sales of cool looking hybrid cars, riding hybrid car became some sort of social hip. But, rise in number hybrid car will not solve increase in CO2. Why? simple, if more cars are sold, there will be more cars to pollute.
Solving problem of . We have to create a platform where we can get up from the couch and commute with our own physical abilities.

And yes, clever part of the world started to act upon problems of global warming by actually giving up on cars. For example, awesome Dutch bike scenes in Armsterdam, residents of Freiberg are commuting heavily on bikes to keep their city full with fresh air, and many urban city like New York are starting to inhibit this growth of cycle trend (no more crazy cab driver?)
We just need to make things look cooler and develop a trend to make big difference.


so, today I will introduce you some of recent alternative rides!

1. Fixed Gear Bike or direct drive road brakes:

In the Past, bicycle used to strongly symbolized as "exercise", "commuting use for near location", or "I cannot afford to buy a car" in developed nation.
Single gear, no brakes and it is very dangerous. But the trill and extremeness is influencing a lot of young people in Japan. This bike is first used by poor messenger in San Francisco. These messengers realized that bikes with many gears are easy to break and it would cost them a lot to fix them. So, they started to use single gear bike that are cheap and not easy to break. I started to see this kind bike uptown Tokyo frequently. What is so special about this bike is that it is really easy to customize. And the way you design your bike may resemble your uniqueness. Especially compact and well surrounded urban structure geography likeJapan, commuting in bike over cars is preferable. We just have to figure out how to stock the bike on the train, if we want to go bike to train to bike commuting path.

check out; Mash San Francisco
http://www.mashsf.com/


I am not in early twenties, but I still skateboard in the weekends. Some say I am too old for my act...
But, I fell in love with the sport of skateboarding in early age. From skating I have learned so many things. To do some of my pay back to this sport, I like to share with you about sustainable skateboard.

2.Comet Skateboarding:
Sustainable Skate Deck Company

"Comet uses sustainability harvested bamboo and non-toxic resins to make its hip pin-striped topped skateboards and their manufacturing plant uses a 10KW solar panel array to fuel the process. Comet is also a place based company and is dedicated to making a positive impact on its community as well as the environment. In addition to raising funds for a sustainable designed skate park in downtown Oakland CA,"-from treehugger
Can you believe it? Organic skateboard and at same time, they are acting to make impact on local community.

So, what is your desirable sustainable mobile?

Comet Skateboard
http://www.cometskateboards.com/factory/

投稿者 econetworks : 16:43 | コメント (0) | トラックバック