global warming

So recently i've decided that it is really important to think about the things we do and the choices we make in regards to the earth. There are so many things that we can do to make a difference. After living in the U.S for 21 years, I never thought about recycling. I was never concerned about leaving the lights on, using the air conditioner or heater, using tons of plastic bags while shopping, and driving around just for fun.

those days are over. and not just for me. they should be over for you too. Coming to Japan has really opened up my eyes to see how simple it can be if we work together, put in a little effort and do the small things that add up to big things. here's my story.

we have about 10 different trash containers; burnable, non burnable, plastics, tins, cans, styrofoam, cardboard, milk cartons, plastic drink bottles.

we can take out the burnable trash 2 times a week. non burnable 1 time and depending on the recycling, every other week. the hardest part about this is taking it outside. not the separating. it gets to be second nature after a few months.

eco bags. they are great. you can get a tiny one that folds up, stick it in your bag/car/pocket/etc, and you always have a bag with you. it also come in handy if you need to make a few stops and don't want to awkwardly have a bunch of bags. it also can work as a makeshift umbrella when you forget your on a rainy day.

air conditioning/ heating; why oh why must people have central heating when they dont even use all the rooms in their house? japanese people are smart. they have rooms that all have sliding doors. for example, our living room can open to 3 rooms or just be a small area (with our kitchen, tv, table etc) and we can just turn on the heater/aircon for a little bit just to heat up/cool down the room. it stays nice and toasty in the winter and well the summer is hot, but manageable. we have small space heaters in our rooms to take the chill out.

my bike. i understand this isnt possible in some places, but bikes and public transportation are my best friends! although sometimes inconvenient (rain, shopping, after marathons etc.) it is nice to be outside and use some effort and get some exercise while getting to my destination. trains are nice (although i like when my friends can drive me home sometimes after the trains are late) sometimes cars are just plain overrated.

and beef. here's my newest lifestyle change. I'm done with beef unless i am invited to someone's house and its considered rude for me not to eat it. here's why;

(Time)Which is responsible for more global warming: your BMW or your Big Mac? Believe it or not, it's the burger. The international meat industry generates roughly 18% of the world's greenhouse-gas emissions—even more than transportation—according to a report last year from the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization.
Much of that comes from the nitrous oxide in manure and the methane that is, as the New York Times delicately put it, "the natural result of bovine digestion." Methane has a warming effect that is 23 times as great as that of carbon, while nitrous oxide is 296 times as great.
There are 1.5 billion cattle and buffalo on the planet, along with 1.7 billion sheep and goats. Their populations are rising fast, especially in the developing world. Global meat production is expected to double between 2001 and 2050. Given the amount of energy consumed raising, shipping and selling livestock, a 16-oz.T-bone is like a Hummer on a plate.
If you switch to vegetarianism, you can shrink your carbon footprint by up to 1.5 tons of carbon dioxide a year, according to research by the University of Chicago. Trading a standard car for a hybrid cuts only about one ton—and isn't as tasty.

sorry its so long, but this is something that is important, so read up and make some simple yet earth saving changes.