Me: “Hi mum, just thought I’d give you a ring while I’m watching the adverts play in between episodes of my TV programme. The one playing now is recommending shopping in the Ginza district, they have so many department stores! Isn’t that exciting?”
Mum: “That sounds amazing, just be careful not to buy too much! You already have lots of lovely clothes! Make sure to donate what you don’t use.” [SDG 1: No Poverty] “H & M have a good scheme for collecting used clothes. Why don’t you try getting some second-hand clothes instead? Isn’t Shibuya meant to be trendy for thrift shops amongst you youngsters?”
Me: “I have heard about Shibuya – I shall have to check it out. There is now an advert for 7-Eleven, didn’t our neighbours recommend that I try those fruit smoothies? The ones that come pre-cut in a packet and are then freshly blended in-store.”
Mum: “Remember you have a blender provided in your accommodation. You could buy some loose fruit from the store to make your own smoothie – save the unnecessary packaging.” [SDG 12: Responsible Consumption].
Me: “Yeah, that is better for the environment, and cheaper too. If I do try it, then I’ll make sure to carry my rubbish home. Did you know there are barely any street bins in Japan? It’s because they have a rigid at-home recycling scheme and waste collection. I heard of a town called Osaki, where waste is sorted into 27 categories at home and then into 40 at the recycling centre! The next advert here is for a restaurant specialising in the traditional Japanese dish of Wagyu beef; my friends have been talking about going, but I’m not keen. I want to eat mostly vegan and vegetarian here, but I still want to try the local cuisine.” [SDG 12]
Mum: “You should try out the website ‘Happy Cow’, it can tell you how to find local vegan and vegetarian restaurants near you. Or hasn’t Too Good To Go just launched in Japan? That way you can try out dishes that would have otherwise been wasted, and for a bargain price as well!” [SDG 2: Zero Hunger].
Me: “Thanks for the advice. My programme is about to start again, but I forgot to tell you that after looking on the Rome2Rio website, I am now going to Hokkaido next week by train instead of flying. I found an online carbon calculator, and to travel by train from Tokyo to Chitose (Hokkaido) is 23.14kg of CO2 per person, compared to 94.07kg when travelling by plane.” [SDG 13: Climate Action].
Mum: “Great! Maybe try get the Metro to the train station? Instead of an Uber. I’ve heard the public transport system in Japan is one of the best in the world, so make full use of it!” [SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities]. “Have fun! Let’s talk soon!”
References:
1. https://sdgs.un.org/goals
2. https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/sustainability-hm/services/garment-
3. https://en.japantravel.com/article/the-ultimate-guide-to-thrifting-in-tokyo/70762
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY-l9Ov61vI
5. https://www.happycow.net
6. https://www.toogoodtogo.com/ja
7. https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Tokyo/Hokkaido?accom_comparison=true
8. https://tgif.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/carbon-calculator/
9. https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/index.html
