Eco-Friendly Event Held, Participants Receive Eco-Points

Reed Expo 2009, an eco-friendly event, was held on February 14 through 15, 2009, in Azuchi Town, Shiga Prefecture. This event featured the reed, a grassy plant that grows by Lake Biwa in Shiga, as an environmental symbol. The participants enjoyed reed cutting, stalls, boat rides and concerts at the event, and eco-points were awarded according to participants' contributions to the environment.

The Reed Expo 2009 is a pilot program promoted by the study group 'Eco-ni-yoshi Style' (literally, "eco-friendly lifestyle"), which was established in October 2008. Working with local governments, municipalities, companies, non-profit organizations, universities and consumers, the program aims to establish a society where the environment and economy are interdependent. At the event, participants received eco-points in 'Yoshi' units for their eco-friendly activities, and were able to use the 'Yoshi' points (one 'Yoshi' is equal to 100 yen or US$1.00) for attractions or buying goods.

One 'Yoshi' was given to, for example, those who came to the event by train instead of car, those who walked from Azuchi Station (about a 20-min walk to the site), those who participated in the reed cutting activities, or those who came with a nursing attendant.

The study group believes that even leisure or culture can contribute to the prevention of global warming. The event provided a good social opportunity to build an 'Eco-ni-Yoshi' lifestyle toward a low-carbon society, according to a spokesperson for Shiga Prefecture.

Shiga Prefecture Unveils Sustainability Scenario for 2030 (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/026788.html

Posted: 2009/05/29 06:00:15 AM