They say the flapping of a butterfly’s wings can cause a typhoon. That it is impossible to determine whether one small choice leads to a big impact. Whether that extra flight pushes the planet to its limit. Whether that flight is the one I’ll be taking to Japan.
Aged twelve, I stumbled across the WWF’s Footprint Calculator while procrastinating homework. I was shocked at how quickly seemingly sustainable choices can measure up against our planet. Within my community I had always strived for sustainability, but when the average UK 2026 carbon footprint is predicted to be 8.0 tonnes and the footprint needed to help reach the 1.5°C target is 2.5 tonnes, I realised I can’t just compare myself to my community. Especially when my flight alone carries such a carbon cost.
Curious, I spoke to a UN educator and learnt that only 17% of SDG targets are on track to be met by 2030. 83% are not. When numbers seem that big, they can feel scary to tackle. Scary to even try and subtract from, let alone divide them.
But I’ve learnt that I don’t need to be overwhelmed by the math when I could act. Counting down the SDGs, one at a time. SDG 14 – Life Below Water. When I pick up litter, the planet won’t criticise me for only seeing one piece, but an overfished taimen may feel the difference. SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production. I don’t need to count new clothes, their price tags written in CO2 emissions, felled trees, and non-biodegradable plastic if I buy and sell second-hand using Mercari. SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities. I’ll participate in Gomi Bunbetsu, Japan’s waste sorting system, using the Gomi Samurai app.
So, at the start of the year, when I’m tempted by mass-produced dorm décor, I could tell myself I’ll recycle it before I leave, and that it won’t be seen or heard of again. But listening closely, I’ll hear the rumble of ships exporting my recycling. And when I go outside, our home gets warmer. And warmer. And warmer. But I won’t smell toxic leachate. Its sulphur dioxide. Its styrene gas. The 1.25 million tonnes of plastic recycling Japan exported in 2023 didn’t come to my doorstep. My actions don’t hurt me the most.
So, for me, a sustainable year abroad isn’t just about recycling more. It’s also about buying less to align with SDGs 12 and 13. Instead of using plastic, I’ll use the mymizu app to refill my water. I’ll discover Tokyo on foot and use Happy Cow to find seasonal vegetarian food to journey through every season without leaving my neighbourhood. And when I do travel, I’ll see Japan using its extensive rail network, avoiding holidays abroad to focus on making Japan home. But not just home to me, a home for all beings, now and after I leave. Because, maybe, like the butterfly, I could change the storm.
References:
https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/
https://www.sgr.org.uk/projects/fair-lifestyle-targets-additional
https://sdgs.un.org/goals
https://jp.mercari.com/
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.raf.gomisamurai
https://www.trade.gov/market-intelligence/japan-recycled-plastic-materials
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.mymizu.mymizu
https://www.happycow.net/
