20 Climate Actions you can do in Japan

What actions can we take in today’s urgent response to the climate crisis?

One person’s action may be small, but when those small actions come together, it would be a big difference. Let us try one at a time, starting with the easy ones.

1. Reduce meat consumption

Livestock account for about 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions and are comparable to all vehicles’ total greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, methane emitted by cattle in their burping has 25 times the greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide and is considered the worst for the environment compared to pigs and chickens. Besides that, it would cause various other environmental problems, including livestock deforestation, water pollution, air pollution, overuse of water and grain, and soil degradation.

You can start by increasing the number of plant-based meals you eat during the week. With the recent increase in the number of vegan restaurants and vegan products in supermarkets, you should be able to take on this challenge easily. Also, you can try a Japanese meatless meal, shojin ryori.

2. Buy plastic-free vegetables and fruits

Due to extremely high consumer expectations in Japan, most fresh produce is sold covered with plastic. As people say shopping is voting, it is important to buy vegetables without using plastic as much as possible to avoid further waste and show a demand for removing plastic.

You can find plastic-free vegetables and fruits in bulk stores, farm stands, and farmer’s markets. Some supermarkets and greengrocers also sell vegetables sold in bulk.

3. Consume more raw food

Raw food is an effective way to consume heat-sensitive plant enzymes and nutrients. Not only is it good for the body, but it also reduces the consumption of electricity and gas for cooking, making it a healthy and environmentally friendly way to eat.

4. Use your bottle

You can use your bottle at cafes and convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson to buy coffee. In addition, an application called mymizu can be used to find water refill spots around the country.

5. Consume local products

Buying locally produced food not only reduces CO2 emissions from transportation but also supports the local economy and ensures that the food is fresh.

6. Purchasing from near best-before date or sale items

It is estimated that greenhouse gas emissions from food waste account for 10% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions. To begin with, the best-before date is the period during which quality, such as taste, is maintained. There is no possibility of food becoming unsafe unless consumed before the use-by date.

7. Choose secondhand clothing

With the rise of fast fashion, clothing has become cheaper and more mass-produced. On the other hand, the manufacturing and disposal processes generate a lot of CO2, and the production of synthetic fibers requires a lot of resources, such as petroleum and water. According to a study by the World Wide Fund for Nature Japan, 2,720 liters of water are used to produce one T-shirt. In addition, the issue of workers’ human rights remains to be addressed.

To end such mass production and consumption, we need to choose secondhand clothes and shift to the behavior of using good things for a long time.

8. Shift from synthetic fibers derived from fossil fuels to cotton and hemp

As mentioned earlier, the production of synthetic fibers requires a lot of petroleum and water. Hemp, on the other hand, grows quickly, can be grown in rows, is adaptable to different climates, and thrives in nutrient-poor environments. Other materials with relatively low environmental impact, such as sustainably produced organic cotton, should be consciously chosen.

9. Recycle clothes you no longer need

According to a study by the World Economic Forum, more than 70% of discarded clothing is incinerated or landfilled. To prevent such disposal, we need to increase recycling and reuse. Many apparel brands such as UNIQLO, H&M, GU, Patagonia, and MUJI have recently installed clothing collection boxes in their permanent stores. It would be better to reduce the amount of discarded clothes by utilizing these services or by delivering clothes that are no longer worn at thrift stores back to someone else.

10. Go to the repair shop

In Japan, there are various repair techniques and professional menders. Discolored clothes can be re-dyed, and broken pottery can be made more beautiful than before by kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending. Before you throw something away, first think if it can be repaired.

11. Switch to 100% renewable energy

Many companies are now offering 100% renewable electricity and depending on your plan, you may be able to save more money than usual.

12. Use recycling service efficiently

In addition to municipal waste collection services, recycling bins are located in front of most supermarkets in Japan. You can bring recycling items such as plastic trays, milk cartons, PET bottles, cans, and egg cases whenever you like, regardless of the day of the week.

13. Start composting

In Japan, food scraps are collected as burnable garbage. Since food scraps are 80% water, they lower the temperature of incinerators and reduce combustion efficiency. Some municipalities even use plastic bottles, which are supposed to be recycled, to raise the incinerator temperature. Promoting the widespread use of composting will greatly advance Japan’s waste problem.

Recently, local governments are proceeding with introducing composting at home, and an increasing number of districts are offering subsidies.

14. Visit bulk stores

These days, many kinds of retail stores sell craft beer, detergents, coffee beans, and other items by weight. By buying only the amount you need, you can reduce waste and the amount of trash from packaging.

15. Sell disused stuff on the app

What is necessary to you may be necessary to someone else. Before throwing it away or recycling it, try selling it on apps like Mercari or RakuMa, which allow you to buy and sell items you no longer need.

16. Buy at an antique store where you can also feel the history

You should visit antique stores and antique markets such as Rebuilding Center Japan and Oedo Antique Market. You will feel like doing a treasure hunt, looking for your favorite furniture and tools among the items that are unique to each period and are never the same.

17. Saving electricity and gas

The climate crisis has made summer heat waves relatively severe. We may continue to see a tightening of that supply in the summer and winter when electricity consumption is high. Please check our past article about avoiding heat without electricity and reducing water and gas consumption.

18. Use public transportation

Public transportation in Japan is punctual, frequent, and convenient. When you travel long distances, It is also recommended to use bullet trains instead of airplanes. The bullet train, which runs at a maximum speed of 285 km/h, can travel from Tokyo to Osaka in about two and a half hours. If you need a car, use a local car share service and try to travel by public transportation as much as possible.

19. Participate in Climate actions

Fridays for Future Japan organizes standings, online events, and tweetstorms throughout Japan on the Global day of climate action. It is imperative to participate in these actions and express your will.

20. Have a conversation about climate change with people around you

Most Climate actions can be done by one person. However, there will be moments when you may feel helpless or discouraged. At such times, it will be reassuring to know that people around you are thinking about the earth and the generations to come and are willing to take action together with you. First of all, let’s talk to someone close to us whom we can trust.