"Live a green lifestyle." I have heard this phrase many times but how many people follow what it says and let environmental protection be part of their daily lives? It's the same as the phrase "Use fewer plastic bags", which is not really practised by many people either. Consider the huge amount of plastic bags consumed at bakeries and supermarkets and you will see that environmental protection is still an empty idea in Hong Kong rather than an integral approach to life.

The Japanese are more advanced in this respect. A recent Japanese TV drama called Women Around 40 proves that environmental protection is really part of everyday life in Japan. The leading actor is an environmental activist "living a green lifestyle". He brings his own chopsticks to restaurants. His famous line is "This is to protect the environment, not stingy". He goes to sleep before 10:30 pm to save energy (that's why he never goes to karaoke or bars with his colleagues). He even breaks up with his girlfriend because she refuses to use fewer plastic bags! The fact that a major character in the story cares for the environment and gains empathy with viewers explains the substantial number of environmentally-conscious people in Japan. The fact that a character in a TV drama displays genuine care for the environment shows that environmental protection has truly been integrated into people's lives.

Recently, there has been a further innovation in environmental protection in Japan. The city of Kobe has started to provide bicycles to tourists arriving by coach and car at Kyu-kyoryuchi, the largest sightseeing spot in the city. Kyu-kyoryuchi is the area that was managed jointly by Europeans and Americans when Japan first opened to the world in 1868. The stylistic architecture of different countries throughout the area has made it famous. Since the old buildings are close to one another, it is convenient for tourists to visit them on bicycles. This policy of goodwill is reducing vehicle exhaust gases and it is believed that several districts in Japan will follow suit. This is a good example of "living a green lifestyle". Let us also put words into action as soon as we can.

By Jan Mak

*Translation from Chinese article.