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1. Opening Poem by Mr. Iwasaki. I was awakened by the sound of the wind blowing against a window. The cold wind from the north carried us a white gift of snow. I rejoiced at the snow and said to the wind, "I'm happy to see you again." The cold wind blew off my anxiety that global warming might prevent the cold wind from bringing snow to us. As long as we don't give up fighting adversity, we can regain our healthy planet just like warm spring comes after severe winter. |
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2. Talk between Mr.Iwasaki and Mr.Shimizu, Mayor of Ota city, Gunma prefecture - Ota city doesn't tackle with environmental problems in a special way, but streets are clean. This is due to the consciousness of the citizens. The citizens of Ota city love flowers and this city is famous for growing chrysanthemums and orchids. Growing flowers with care seems to have good effects on changing people's consciousness about environment. - The role of administration is to lead citizens, not to invade the area where citizens should assume the role. - Ota city like many other cities used to be annoyed by crows which scavenge garbage especially in the streets with many restaurants and drinking places. This problem, however , was solved in one year thanks to citizens' consciousness. - The slogan of Ota city is "City of ISO9001(International Standardization Organization)", which shows the city's high morale to provide people with high-quality service. -
Ota city, in cooperation with 5 surrounding towns, is going to
set up a recycle plaza where the disabled can work. In this way,
environmental aspect and welfare aspect are combined.
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3. Visiting Mr.Shomei Yoo Mr. Yoo is a painter, poet and writer of picture book. He opened his own art museum in 1991. He is involved in environment, human right, and peace activities through his art. He says that he wants people to know the current serious problems through beauty of the nature. Destruction of environment was created by the mind of human being, so he thinks it's important to appeal to human mind by means of beauty of art, such as music and painting. He painted a picture for the cover of "Eco-diary" last year and this year as well. He also gives a lecture on environment several times a month. |
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4. Report on activities of GUC Kinki Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe cities designated December 10 as "Global Warming Prevention Day" two years ago. As a part of this, a get-together was held on Dec. 11, 1999 and GUC Kinki took part in the gathering to introduce activities of GCJ. The biggest flea market in Kansai region which citizens and corporations take part in was held on Dec.18 and GUC Kinki participated. A donation box of "Green Fund" was placed and money for the goods was put into the box. Children also donated. A 5th-grade girl read her composition titled "Global Warming and Our Life" at the event hall. GUC Kinki holds a bazaar every Wednesday. The picture on P11 shows how to make a kitchen sponge with acrylic yarn. You don't have to apply kitchen detergent to this sponge. |
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5. Warning to the 21st Century - By saving electricity, our future can be bright Picture for the article on Japan's worst-ever nuclear accident in Tokaimura. 40% of total amount of electricity in Japan is generated by nuclear power. We can't help depending on nuclear power whether we like it or not since the consumption of electricity has been increasing continuously. To utilize natural energy such as solar energy and wind-generated power is important, but the most important thing is to save energy. This is what we can do in our daily life. Electricity is indispensable to our life. Without electricity, our life would be completely paralyzed, so we should value electricity. |
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6. Letter from Japanese school abroad - Belgium (by Mr. Kazuto Ogawa, Principal of Brussels Japanese School) Belgium is a very small country, but its capital city Brussels is the center of Europe. Brussels is called a city of forest, and forests are very well managed by the city. In Belgium, ECOLO(Green Party) which pointed out the dioxin problem took power in June. Their drastic decision to suspend shipment of all kinds of meat, and people's reaction to this was well reflected in the election. I wonder if Japanese people can act like this. |
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7. Report on events Mr. shoo Iwasaki, President of GCJ , gave a lecture to 600 aged people in Wake town in Okayama prefecture. Wake town is very active in welfare activities. Recycled toilet paper was donated by GCJ to 18 elementary schools in Towada city, Aomori prefecture. GCJ also called for participation in the 2nd "Eco-diary" contest. A charity concert to celebrate the first opening anniversary of recycle shop "Tsukinomiyamura" was held in December. This recycle shop is run by volunteer members of GUC. The profit from the concert was donated to "Green Fund". Mr.Diallo, President of GC Burkina Faso, was awarded a medal for its contribution to the protection of the environment on December 11 which was Burkina Faso's 39th Foundation Day. Mr. Diallo said to the press that it was an award not only to all members of GCBF but also to the GC organizations throughout the world and their partners, and he expressed his special gratitude to GC Japan and President Iwasaki for the dedicated cooperation. |
